Looking for something to spice up your season? Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy the fresh crunch of snow under your feet if you live in the Rocky Mountains. In Colorado spring time means heavy wet springtime snow. Great for skiing and building snowmen! Or to get a fresh start by cleaning out your basement or closets. Once you get the house all clean it is time to invite your friends over for fondue on Valentine's Day, President's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Palm Sunday, Easter or any day.
Early spring is perfect for fireplaces and fondue both of which are inviting to the senses and make for wonderful entertainment - so invite your friends to enjoy an evening in your home!
Simple ways to create an inviting and warm atmosphere in your home. Decorate by using groups of candles. Add bright colored placemats or you might want to choose pastels in either case adding layers of fabric to your dining table and coffee table with a runner dresses them up. Coordinate your rooms throughout the house by using pillows to match your colors and pick up hues in your everyday décor increasing the warmth and cozy factor overall.
For your special evening decorate your table with linen or paper that match. Place name tags that you created on your printer or take the time and write your own allowing your handwriting to add to the uniqueness of the décor. Choose a motif like leaves, hearts, tulips, eggs, nests, shamrocks, flags, or something whimsical like rubber duckies! Bowls of fruit and flowers in bloom make excellent bursts of color by placing them into any decorative bowl, glass jar or ceramic dish.
Once you have decided on a motif you should expand it to include a theme that lends itself to a fun treat like fondue. A selection of desserts dipped in chocolate fondue make for a decadent evening with friends. Great dippers are fresh cut fruit like apples, bananas, pineapple and strawberries. And a few treats like shortbread cookies, graham crackers, marshmallows, brownies or cheesecake - sure to be a great hit with your friends!
Chocolate Caramel Fondue
1 12oz package of Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips
2 oz. of candy making chocolate
2-3 Tablespoons of Canola oil
1/4 c of 1% skim milk
Smucker's Caramel Sundae Syrup
Heat 2oz blocks of candy making chocolate in fondue pot on low heat on the stove. Stir until melted. Add 2 tablespoons of canola oil and stir until mixed. Pour in milk chocolate chips and stir until melted. Add 1/4 cup of skim milk and stir until mixed. Consistency of chocolate should not rapidly drip from the spoon it should smoothly fall from spoon and you should be able to turn the spoon and gather chocolate on both sides. Next add drizzles of caramel topping in a circle on top of the chocolate decoratively.
Remove from stove top and continue warming in the fondue pot on the table. Serve with dippers and enjoy.
