Chocolate is my Friend! I hate to admit it but it's true... chocolate never ignores you, (hangs with you forever!).... never forgets your birthday and pretty much comforts you when you are in a bad mood. My favorite sister in law always told me how much she liked to pair Velveeta cheese and chocolate as a dessert. Well having been a fan of both those ingredients for ages, I decided to source the origins of that combination. I came up with a Paula Deen original, Velveeta Fudge Recipe.
Chocolate Cheese Fudge Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
One half lb. Velveeta cheese, sliced.
• 1 cup butter • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 1 cup chopped nuts, pecans, walnuts • 2 (16-ounce) boxes confectioners' sugar • 1/2 cup cocoa powder Directions Spray lightly the bottom of a 9 by 2-inch square pan with a nonstick spray. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the cheese and butter together, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat and add the vanilla and nuts. In a large bowl sift together the sugar and cocoa. Pour the cheese mixture into the sugar and cocoa mixture and stir until completely mixed. The candy will be very stiff. Using your hands, remove candy from bowl and press evenly and firmly into pan. Because of the amount of butter in this recipe, pat the top of the candy with a paper towel to remove the excess oil. Place pan in refrigerator until candy is firm. To serve candy, cut into squares.
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To get this recipe section off to a jump start thought I'd share the menu from one of my favorite colleagues in print journalism, Diana Hendricks Read it and you willautomatically gain weight, but will feel better aboutit! Mark and DianaHendrick s' 2011 Thanksgiving Menu
by Diana Finlay Hendricks on Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 1:19am
Welcome home. Safetravels. Celebrate blessings and give thanks.
Ruffles andFlourishes: 11 a.m.
Fresh HomemadeTortilla Chips with Artichoke Jalapeno Dip and Salsa Rojo
Sterling's StuffedJalapenos (With homemade pimento cheese - Southern Paté)
Relish The Day(Assorted olives, pickles and marinated & fresh vegetables)
“The Devil Made Me DoIt!” Stuffed Eggs
Orange Peach Mimosas and Champagne Cocktails
Coffee, Tea, Water
The Main Event: 2:30p.m.
Roasted Turkey & Southern Cornbread Dressing with Giblet Gravy
Slow-roasted heritage turkey seasoned with fresh sage, rosemary and thyme,
served with a family recipe of traditional light cornbread dressing with celery, onions and bellpeppers.
Clay’s CranberryCompote
Fresh cranberries simmered with apple slices, Clementine orange juice and finished withtoasted pecans
Southwestern RoastedSweet Potatoes
East Texas sweet potatoes roasted and dressed with chipotle butter
Patrick’s Sweet Corn in Butter Sauce
Fresh from the Valley of the Jolly (Ho-Ho-Ho) Green Giant – There was a time when Patrick's favorite vegetable was a nightly staple around this house!
HalleyAnna’s Special Request Regular Mac and Cheese
What would a holiday dinner be without macaroni and cheese? A family tradition that started with a couple of adolescent picky eaters and has continued as a cornerstone for every holiday meal, as well as a conversation starter. Nothing fancy though! These purists want Blue Box Kraft, please!
Sauteed Haracot Verteswith Almonds
Another traditional favorite, these crispy fresh green beans tossed with toasted almond slices and sauted in a healthy sauce - pretty to look at and good to eat!
DeLynn’s TraditionalGreen Bean Casserole
As she told Grandma Mary, “It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without this dish.”
Grandma Mary's PoshSquash
Another old familyfavorite made with crisp fresh squash and a savory sauce.
Old School Ambrosia
A bountiful harvest of seasonal Texas fruits, toasted nuts and shredded coconut
come together tocelebrate the season.
Jenni’s Tossed FieldGreens with Fresh Herbs
Fresh greens tossed with a bounty of homegrown herbs that slept in the garden last night.
Aunt Robbie’s Icebox Rolls with Jenni’s Apple Butter
Another heirloom recipe, one of my favorite childhood holiday memories was watching Aunt Robbie bring the big bowl in from the old Frigidaire on the back porch, and getting to stand on a stool to help make the rolls. With Jenni’s homemade apple butter, these rolls dress up and vie for dessert billing!
The Sweet Stuff:
Traditional PumpkinPie
Rustic Apple HarvestTart
Light Key Lime Pie
Each served with “justa dollop” of ice cream if desired
Nibbles of Finnish Chocolate
Beverages:
Iced Tea, Lemonade andWater, Topo Chico and Assorted Soft Drinks
A Variety of Beers and Wine
The best recipes in the world are those which have been devised and sampled by that picky group....your family. Along with the ingredients we'd like to hear their comments, your anecdotes, and any unusual circumstances surrounding your recipes.!
An anecdotal holiday recipe get together takes the best of food and makes everything more special, particularly when the recipes have family memories connected to them:
To begin the holiday season, here's a sample of what makes recipes interesting when combined with family, friends and creativity.
Mark and Diana Hendricks' 2011 Thanksgiving Menu
by DianaFinlay Hendricks on Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 1:19am
Welcome home. Safe travels. Celebrate blessings and give thanks.
Rufles and Flourishes: 11 a.m.
“The Devil Made Me Do It!” Stuffed Eggs
served with a family recipe of traditional light cornbread dressing with celery, onions and bell peppers.
Clay’s Cranberry Compote
Fresh cranberries simmered with apple slices, Clementine orange juice and finished with toasted pecans
Southwestern Roasted Sweet Potatoes
HalleyAnna’s SpecialRequest Regular Mac and Cheese
What would a holiday dinner be without macaroni and cheese? A family tradition that started with acouple of adolescent picky eaters and has continued as a cornerstone for every holiday meal, as well as a conversation starter. Nothing fancy though! These purists want Blue Box Kraft, please!
DeLynn’s Traditional Green Bean Casserole
As she toldGrandma Mary, “It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without this dish.”
Another old family favorite made with crisp fresh squash and a savory sauce
come together to celebrate the season.
Jenni’s Tossed Field Greens with Fresh Herbs
Fresh greens tossedwith a bounty of homegrown herbs that slept in the garden last night.
Aunt Robbie’s IceboxRolls with Jenni’s Apple Butter
Another heirloom recipe, one of my favorite childhood holiday memories was watching Aunt Robbie bring the big bowl in from the old Frigidaire on the back porch, and getting to stand on a stool to help make the rolls. With Jenni’s homemade apple butter,these rolls dress up and vie for dessert billing!
Iced Tea, Lemonade and Water, Topo Chico and Assorted Soft Drinks