JOPLIN, Mo. — Where is this year going? In less than a week, it’s already Valentine’s Day. My husband, Chris, and I will be at Granny Shafer’s enjoying the food and the Duke Mason Band.

Our area offers lots of wonderful Valentine’s Day options for a special night on the town. If you haven’t yet made your plans, it’s time to get on the ball and get those reservations.

But, what if you are planning a quiet dinner at home? If you are planning to celebrate on the actual day, a week night is not the easiest to have a special dinner ready at a decent time if you are working all day. Even if I weren’t working, I would turn to my trusty slow cookers and fix everything I could ahead of time. Chicken, steak or chops can be ready for dinner as well as potatoes and other side dishes. I put green beans in the slow cooker in the morning and let them cook all day and they are always better than just heating them up right before dinner.

I don’t always plan on dessert for after dinner but Valentine’s Day is the one day when I think it’s really necessary. There’s yummy slow cooker dessert recipes so you can make a complete dinner magically appear on the table. Make just about any dessert festive with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.

Cookies, brownies, cake or even Rice Krispie treats cut in heart shapes are simple to create and sure to bring a smile. Top those brownies or cake with some whipped topping, strawberries and maybe a drizzle of chocolate and you have the perfect ending to dinner. I think any chocolate dessert is appropriate, including store-bought candy pieces with your favorite filling or just a solid piece of a quality chocolate. What’s easier than that?

Whatever your plan for cooking Valentine’s Day dinner, make it easy on yourself so you, too, can enjoy the evening. If you are using your slow cooker, don’t forget the slow cooker liners. These are the best invention since chocolate truffles.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about getting a recipe from a friend and the dish never turning out quite like the one she served. It reminded Mrs. R.D. Renick, of Neosho, of the following poem, so she shared it with me. It made me laugh out loud because this is so me and I’m sure lots of you can relate, too.

I didn’t have potatoes, so I substituted rice

I didn’t have paprika, so I used another spice

I didn’t have tomato sauce, so I used tomato paste

A whole can, not a half -- I don’t believe in waste

A friend gave me the recipe, she said you couldn’t beat it

There must be something wrong with her -- I couldn’t even eat it!

A good thing from last week was our visit to the Carthage Subway. The salads and sandwiches were great but they were outshined by our sandwich maker Jerri. She was happy, energetic and made our visit fun and enjoyable, letting us know she was the oldest one there. Keep up the good work, Jerri. You’re a great role model for your younger co-workers.

For Valentine’s Day dinner, use your slow cooker for the chicken cordon bleu. Sounds fancy but it’s super easy. I’m sure I have shared this recipe before, but it’s so good I want you to have another chance to try it. I bought thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts and it made the assembly go much faster because they were ready to fill with the ham and cheese without slicing and flattening. Get out another slow cooker for the slow-cooker potatoes. These can cook all day and be ready just in time for dinner. For dessert, the chocolate croissant shells can be filled with lots of different fillings. I like French vanilla pudding for a Boston cream pie-like dessert. Happy Valentine’s Day and happy eating.

 

Chicken cordon bleu

3 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3 large Swiss cheese slices, halved

3 large, thin ham slices, halved

2 tablespoons margarine

1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup

3 tablespoons milk

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cut whole breasts in half. Flatten each with a wooden mallet. Cover each half with half slice of cheese and ham. Roll up and secure with toothpicks. Brown each chicken roll in margarine in skillet. Transfer to slow cooker. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken, making sure chicken pieces are fully covered. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. Yields 6 servings.

 

Slow cooker potatoes

32-ounce package frozen hash brown potatoes

2 cans cheddar cheese soup

2.8 ounce can French-fried onion rings

Combine all ingredients in a greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Yields 8 servings.

 

Chocolate croissant shell

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 croissant

1/4 cup raspberry ice cream

1/4 cup whipped cream (optional)

Raspberries (optional)

Melt chips in microwave or over low heat in a saucepan. Meanwhile, place a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet. Slice croissant in half and place the halves side by side on the rack. Pour the melted chocolate over the croissant halves, coating the entire surface. Let sit for about 15 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm. Fill the bottom half of the croissant with ice cream and place the other half on top. If desired, serve with whipped cream and raspberries. Makes 1 serving.



Address correspondence to Cheryle Finley, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, MO 64802.