Overnight Rolls with Butterscotch Glaze

Yes, I am still experimenting with Corn Syrup.  I didn't know it could do so many things....and make so many dangerously good things.  (Diet...what diet?).  This is a recipe that I made today.  I did the "prep" work 3 hours before my church meetings.  Then, the Rooster of the house cooked them as I was in a meeting.  There is a reason I am telling you this....I think it will become apparent later. 

Spray your measuring cup with non-stick spray before you put your Corn Syrup in the cup.  It helps the syrup come out easily.

Mix your Butterscotch Pudding and Corn Syrup together.

Spray your pan with Non-stick Spray.  At the bottom of a tube pan (you can use a Bundt pan) you can add Pecans if you wish.  As it is Sunday..I didn't have the nuts and knew I wouldn't be going out for them.  Then put in your frozen roll dough.  Yes, I really do have some of these rolls.....I can't do everything from scratch all the time!

Add your melted butter and stir together.

Pour the mixture over your rolls.

I didn't cover them with the mixture as well as I would have liked....because I was taking pictures with my right hand (dominant hand) and trying to pour with my left.  No worries...it all worked out.

Here is how they looked after 6.5 hours.  What a difference in volume!

Do you recall when I asked you to remember that the Rooster cooked them for me?  Well, the junior Rooster got into them before I could get them out of the pan..."beautifully".  They still tasted really good.

Here is the recipe:

Overnight Rolls with Butterscotch Glaze (www.karosyrup.com/recipe_details_text.asp?id=111)

•  1/2 Cup chopped pecans, optional  
•   25 ounces frozen dinner rolls (about 20 rolls, package sizes vary)
•  1 box (3.5 ounces) butterscotch cook & serve pudding mix (not instant)
•  1/2 cup Corn Syrup
•  1/2 cup butter, melted.

1. Sprinkle pecans, if desired, in the bottom of lightly greased Bundt or tube pan. Place frozen rolls in pan

2. Mix together the pudding mix, corn syrup, and butter into a small bowl, pour evenly over rolls.

3. Cover rolls lightly with piece of generously greased plastic wrap. Let rolls rise 6 hours or overnight at room temperature

4. 4. To bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake 30-40 minutes until lightly browned.

5. Turn pan upside down on a round plat or platter. Serve warm.

The Lord Looketh Upon the Heart...

Even though many of us have long since finished our years as "Young Women", I felt this message was applicable to us all.  Enjoy.

Granola bars....using Corn Syrup

I wanted to offer more ideas of things you can do with Corn Syrup.  As discussed in an earlier post, Corn Syrup is not the High Fructose Corn Syrup that you hear so much about in the media.  To become High fructose, there is an additional step in processing that needs to be taken.  Corn Syrup that you find in the grocery store is not this type of product.

So, I certainly purchase plenty of Granola bars for my children.  They sure go through them quickly as well.  I found several recipes for Granola Bars, but decided upon this one to try.  Here is how it was done.

Assemble all your ingredients.  I had everything called for in my Food Storage supplies.  I was quite excited about that...no special or secret ingredients required!  The only thing that was unusual, and that is also optional was Wheat Germ.

Put the cereals, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips and wheat germ in the bowl.

Stir the dry ingredients together.

Mix the peanut butter, corn syrup and brown sugar in a bowl.  Microwave on HIGH for 1-2 minutes.  Here, I am stirring in the vanilla after I took the mixture out of the Microwave.

Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients.

Combine the ingredients well.

Spray your pan with Non-stick Spray.  Place your mixture in the pan and press down firmly.  Let stand for an hour.

Cut into bars.

My son was watching over me like a hawk during this whole thing. He didn't want to wait an hour and said he was so hungry he could die. Well, after an hour, I cut them and gave him one. He said it was really good. If offered to dip them in Chocolate as many of the commercial Granola bars are. He declined saying they were really good by themselves.

I haven't figured out how much these cost to make, but it can't be much. Here is the recipe below:



Chewy Chocolate Granola Bars:  (www.karosyrup.com/recipe_details_test.asp?id=1387)

• Cooking Spray

• 2-1/2 Cups quick OR old-fashioned oats

• 2 cups crispy rice cereal

• 1/2 cup roasted sunflower seeds

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1/4 cup wheat germ, optional

• 1 cup peanut butter

• 1 cup Corn Syrup

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spray 13 x 9-in pan with cooking spray. Mix together cereals, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, and wheat germ in a large bowl. Combine peanut butter, corn syrup and brown sugar in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH (100%) for 1-2 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract until well blended and smooth. Pour over cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated. Spoon into prepared pan. Press down firmly Let stand for an hour. Cut into bars.

COOKIES AND CREAM BARS:  After that round of granola bars, my son WANTED Cookies and Cream bars...so here is that process I used.  You will see the link to this recipe below. I made a few modifications....for my convenience.  I will note them as we go.

I crushed the sandwich cookies in a ziplock bag.  No mess....no fuss. 

The recipe will tell you to put the Corn Syrup and Chocolate Chips in a saucepan to melt it.  Since I had used the microwave with the recipe at the top, I did this mixture in the microwave instead.  I had to stop it about each minute and stir the mixture to help the chips melt.  Since the original recipe states to heat until it begins to boil, I just watched for it to begin to boil while in the microwave.

Mix in the cereal and the liquid mixture together.

Press the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch pan.  Pour the cookie pieces on top of the coated cereal. 

 

Press the pieces into the Rice cereal mixture.  Let stand one hour.    Here is the link to this recipe:  Cookies & Cream Cereal Bar Treats: http://www.karosyrup.com/recipe_details.asp?id=1388

Other recipes to try:  



Ooey Gooey Krisper Bars:  http://www.karosyrup.com/recipe_details.asp?id=884
 
Fruit & Nut Cereal Bars:  http://www.karosyrup.com/recipe_details.asp?id=1373

Believe It or Not Candy Bars: http://www.karosyrup.com/recipe_details.asp?id=1621

S'mores No-Bake Cereal Bar Treats:  http://www.karosyrup.com/recipe_details.asp?id=1386

Highlights of the Highland Preparedness Fair...

Well, if you missed this....it is truely your loss!  And it was a big one at that!  The organizer's have outdone themselves,

There were big names like Lisa Harkness (seen above), Jim Phillips, and

Smokey the Bear!

An old friend and familiar face (formerly from our ward) was Ruth LeBaron.  She offered the following advice:

She reminds us to have "Non-power" tools to still mix and make food if you are without power.

She also suggests that you have a hand agitator (see the blue item above) to help wash your clothes when you are without power, and a mopbucket "squeegee".  She says you can use it to press water out of clothes to help them dry faster.  Other suggestions from Ruth include having a vinyl tablecloth in your 72 kit to ensure you have a clean surface for food preparation or to cover your food or supplies.  She also suggested that after you sanitize your 55 gallon drum and place your water and bleach in it to purify the water, duct tape a filter to your barrel.  When you need to use the water, you can run it through your filter and you do not have to rotate your water every 6 months. 

Local and national vendors were represented:

and

and

Here are websites for many of the vendors.  Some have special pricing for this event.

http://www.neighborhoodbeekeeping.com/

http://www.ldspreppers.com/

http://www.gottagotoilet.com/  (They have special pricing through 4/5/10)

http://www.homestoragebasics.org/

http://www.timefoodsupply.com/

http://www.dailybread.com/

http://www.gossner.com/home/gossner/admin.php?do=ipage&pageid=3&mid=2

http://www.honeyvillefarms.net/

http://www.lifesprouts.com/

http://www.myseeds.com/

http://www.beprepared.com/

There were also local groups such as Allred's Ace hardware and Alpine Food Storage.

My thanks to the organizers and Highland City for being so proactive!

Something yummy to make with...Corn Syrup

(Image courtesy of our-favorite-southern-candy.com)

If you were needing to live strictly off your Food Storage, you really would want to have something sweet now and then! Corn Syrup is a main ingredient in many sweet treats. Here is one that the Rooster of the house makes every Christmas.

Divinity:

2 Cups Sugar

1/2 Cup light Corn Syrup

2 Egg whites

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 Cup chopped nuts

1. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1/2 cup water in a 4 cup glass measure. Cook on Hi (Max power in the microwave) for 3 minutes. Stir thoroughly

2. Cook on Hi for 6-8 minutes, or until a small amount of syrup dropped in cold water forms a hard ball (250 degrees on candy thermometer. Do not leave thermometer in microwave oven while cooking.

3. While syrup is cooking, beat egg whites in a large bowl with electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

4. When syrup is ready, pour in a very thin, slow stream into egg whites. Beat constantly with mixer on high. Add vanilla and beat 6-8 minutes, or until mixture is stiff and loses its shine. Fold in nuts and drop mixture by teaspoonfuls on waxed paper. When cool, store in airtight container.

(Source:  Kenmore Microwave Cooking, Copyright 1979, pg 152).

It's Week #4, and the target item is.......Corn Syrup

The target item this week is Corn Syrup.  Here is a little history about Corn Syrup:

Most people know the national brand of "Karo" syrup.  It was supposedly named after the wife of the Chemist who invented it.

Until the introduction of Karo corn syrups in individual containers, the American housewife carried her syrup jug "to the grocery store to be refilled from the grocers barrels of syrup".

In 1903, this staple was packaged in "Friction-top-tins" and was advertised as "The Great Spread for Daily Bread".   The first cookbook using Karo, for Corn Syrup was published

In 1910, a new recipe book was published with....120 recipes.

In 1930, the wife of a corporate executive develped the classic Pecan Pie recipe using Corn Syrup.

In 1981, a new updated cook book was developed, using the original book cover shown above.

How long does it last, and what is it for:

Corn Syrup can be stored indefinately on the shelf.  This true even if it is opened.  You can store it in the refrigerator once it is open, but it will pour more slowly and will be thicker.

It controls sugar crystallization in candy, prevents the formation of ice crystals in frozen desserts, enhances fresh fruit flavor in jams and preserves, sweetens and thickens relishes. Corn syrup balances sweet and sour flavor profiles, and is therefore a key ingredient in many Asian dishes.

Light and dark corn syrups perform similarly in recipes and can usually be used interchangeably. Recipes usually specify which type to use but the choice may be guided by personal preference. Typically, light corn syrup is used when a delicately sweet flavor is desired, such as in fruit sauces and jams.

Corn Syrup is Gluten-Free.

Corn Syrup purchased in the grocery store is not high-fructose corn syrup.  The high-fructose version needs additional processing.  Can Corn Syrup contribute to obesity?  Yes, as does sugar, chocolate, etc.  Moderation in all things is important to remember.

If you are looking for a reduce calorie version, watch your spelling. If you are wanting less calories, choose "Lite" not "Light".  The "Light" type refers to color.

How do I cook with it?

You can get a free cookbook at the following link (plus $1.00 for shipping and handling):  http://www.karosyrup.com/cookbookform.pdf

For on-line recipes, go to: http://www.karosyrup.com/recipes.asp

Finally, here is the video showing how to make a classic, Pecan Pie. There are many recipe videos at: http://www.karosyrup.com/videos.asp




(Sources:  http://www.karosyrup.com/index.html, & http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2009/01/why_and_when_to_use_or_not_use_c.html)

What is a Caucus?

(image courtesy of www.remote-dba.net)

The upcoming Caucus meetings are an event that is not totally understood by all.  In our local area, we are in H102.  The following information comes from Bill Barnes at Health Policy Network.

WHAT IS A CAUCUS?

A political caucus is a meeting of members of a political party to choose delegates from individual precincts. Those who attend local caucuses Tuesday night in Utah will elect delegates from among their individual precincts (neighborhoods). The delegates then vote at county and state conventions in April and May to narrow multi-candidate races and decide who will appear on the primary and/or final ballot.

WHO CAN CAUCUS?

For Republicans , any voter who is unaffiliated or registered as a Republican can participate in a caucus. However, only registered Republicans can be elected as delegates. Affiliation sign-up forms will be available at caucus locations.

For Democrats, the field is wide open as long as the person turns 18 and can register to vote by November's general election. Registered Democrats, unaffiliated voters, even registered Republicans can vote for and be elected as delegates.

Remember, neighborhood political caucuses are next Tuesday night (3/23). Republican caucuses are at 7:00, Democratic caucuses are that same night, but time differs by County, so check with your county, or contact the State Democratic Party offices for details (801-328-1212). Please plan to attend!

Some people have asked about "3rd party" caucuses. I have learned that the Constitution Party is also caucusing on the 23rd. Information about their caucuses is at http://www.utah-constitution-party.org/ . I have not been able to find information on any other parties.

The simplest question I have been asked is, "Do you just show up?" The answer is emphatically, YES! Find the location and time of your precinct caucus, then just show up. Even if several precincts have been grouped together, delegates are elected by individual precincts - don't let the appearance of a crowd make you nervous.

It's easy, and it's fun. Plan to attend! AND, if you really want to have some impact, have a friend nominate you, and run to be a delegate.

Stand as a Witness.......

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a letter early in March to be read in all Utah congregations, which encouraged Latter-day Saints to attend their local precinct caucus meetings:

“On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, political parties in Utah will hold precinct caucus meetings. Precinct caucuses are the most fundamental grassroots level of political involvement. They are best served by a broad representation of Utah citizens. Those who attend play a critical role in selecting candidates.

“We ask that local leaders not schedule meetings on that Tuesday evening so that members may attend a caucus meeting. The location of these meetings can be found on the Web sites of the respective political parties.

“Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of various political parties. We encourage members to attend their precinct caucus meetings.“

 

The Church does:

Encourage its members to play a role as responsible citizens in their communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections.

Expect its members to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters.

 

Our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti.....

Many of you may remember our former Stake President, Steven Studdert. He has a very distinguished past in public service. Recently, he headed the Utah Hospital Task Force which was comprised of Medical, Construction, and Translation volunteers who were primarily members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They went to Haiti shortly after the devastating Earthquake to provide assistance. They also saw that they needs are tremendous. He has authored the following article that was originally printed in the Meridian Magazine and was published this morning. Here are his words and vision for helping our brothers and sisters in Haiti. To donate to this great cause, you can go directly to http://www.gifthaiti.org/:

Finding direction in the scriptures both ancient and latter-day, and heeding the words of God’s prophet, a team of 125 selfless volunteers recently formed the largest non-military emergency aid task force to Haiti. What was accomplished has been richly covered in this space.

We were accompanied by Maurine and Scot Proctor, editors extraordinaire of Meridian Magazine. Because they were such an integral part of the team, and because their words of encouragement constantly lifted our weary spirits, we today announce THE NEXT STEP in helping our dearly struggling brothers and sisters in Haiti. Our responsibility to give succor is far from finished.

For over two hundred years, much has been written worldwide about the American Spirit. It is not found in government but in America’s people. That’s you and me. The freedoms with which we are blessed in this divinely inspired nation allow you and me to make a difference, to act independently, to give our ourselves and our money, to bless the lives of total strangers.

For many, religious faith is central. For others, it may be the inherent goodness that has come to be a hallmark of America’s people.

Today we announce an extraordinary nationwide citizen initiative – citizens, not government – to build the American Hospital of Haiti.

Today we announce the formation of a new non-profit IRS 501(c) 3 tax-exempt charitable organization called Americans Helping Haiti – and a new website www.GiftHaiti.org where starting tomorrow (Saturday) you can contribute.

No contribution is too small; no contribution is too large. But each of us has a little we can give. Tomorrow please go to www.GiftHaiti.org and become part of this great American effort. Email or text or Twitter your friends, contact your Facebook pals, and invite them as citizens to also give. Imagine if each of us had 50 friends give 50 dollars – we will be able to begin construction on time!

$50 dollars or more – that’s not very much to save lives. No amount is too small, no amount too kind.

Think about Bela, a 14-year old girl I met. Her mother, her father, her five siblings were all killed in the earthquake. The family home was destroyed. She has no food. We met Bela as she lay in a hospital bed, her left foot and right hand amputated. The last time we saw Bela was as she was wheeled to the curb and discharged from the hospital – set on the street to fend for herself. Not yet healed, no crutches, no family, no shelter – Bela left to find her own way.

For Bela and well over a million others like her, we must do this. We MUST – because we have been given much.

Funds will be used to construct and operate a desperately needed new hospital in Haiti. We anticipate construction will begin in June – that’s just three short months away – and we are working to open the hospital to patient care on January 12, 2011, the one year anniversary of the most destructive earthquake in modern history. So we must move very expeditiously – we have no time to spare.

Together – as citizens – and maybe with a few of our generous Canadian friends too – we will build the AMERICAN HOSPITAL OF HAITI. Tomorrow go to www.GiftHaiti.org and get this ball rolling!

Our brothers and sisters in Haiti are experiencing incomprehensible suffering in what one U.N. official termed the worst human catastrophe in recorded history. Though the earthquake terror is now mostly over, the awful fear, the horrifying memories, and a future marked by acute unemployment, homelessness, and disease lie ahead. With determination, compassion, unity, and a respect for the dignity of every Haitian, through our personal generosity and by enlisting your friends – we together will bless those in Haiti who are hurt, homeless, sick, and hungry.

Our abundance, born of the American can-do spirit in our free society, made it possible. President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough to those who have little." Hopefully we added something to those in Haiti who have so very little.

Reading the scriptures helped me to know what we must do.

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." [Matthew 25:40]

"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." [John 13:34]

"Succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." [D&C 81:5]

Won’t you – first thing tomorrow morning – go to www.GiftHaiti.org and help build a shiny new hospital as a place of safety and medical treatment to replace collapsed hospitals and makeshift clinics in camps often with 50,000 or more homeless and sick Haitians.

I cannot say enough about the goodness of those on our recent Haiti emergency team, as they constantly found themselves living what King Benjamin taught: "When you are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." [Mosiah 2:17]

I invite you to now join them, no matter where you live, no matter your circumstances, and help make the American Hospital of Haiti become a reality. Saturday, go to www.GiftHaiti.org and be one of those unseen ministering angels, one of those generous American citizens, who will work wonders in Haiti.

In coming editions of Meridian Magazine, we will keep you posted on progress.

God bless you!

##

Stephen M. Studdert, a former stake president, mission president, and senior White House advisor, recently headed the Utah Hospital Task Force to Haiti.

Yummy, Healthful Treats

It's the middle of March, and I have been craving watermelon.....but it isn't time for "good" watermelon to be in the store yet.  However, I have another option I will show you.

This is watermelon. I dehydrated an entire seedless watermelon toward the end of the last season.  It tastes like watermelon, and sometimes dehydrated watermelon tastes a bit like cotton-candy.  Its Fat Free ladies!  No added sugar!

Now, take a look at another option for you.

No, they are not little shellfish!  On the left are dehydrated peach slices.  See the beautiful color?  It is because I pre-treated them with Sodium Bisulfate.  The two pieces to the right....are you ready?.....are canned peaches.  Why in the world would I take the time to open the can, drain them, and put them into my dehydrator?  It is because they taste like they are candied.  To make the candied fruits, it can take days.  The process calls for you to dehydrate, then later rehydrate with sugary syrup, and repeat this process several times.  With canned fruits (which my children aren't eating like they used to), I can dehydrate them.....and then they disappear.  It couldn't be easier either.  They are also good in granola's and trail mixes.

Any guesses what these are?  They are Mandarin Oranges.  These are my favorite dehydrated "canned" fruit.  They are chewy, sweet, and tangy as well.  Again...no added fat!

To make these, I used mesh inserts into my dehydrator.  You could try to use screening material if you wished to try this in your oven.  Keep your oven on its lowest setting and prop the door open.  (Try to have the temperature be around 145 degrees F).

These are easy, and really delicious.  As I have told you before, the LRH does not do anything to hard.  These certainly qualify!

Try it!

Where to purchase Freeze-Dried or Dehydrated Fruits.....

Some have inquired as to where they can purchase our focus item of the week, which is Freeze-Dried or Dehydrated Fruits.  In our area, we are fortunate to have choices.

Emergency Essentials:  http://tinyurl.com/Dehydrated-or-Freeze-Dried

Augason Farms (Former Blue Chip Group):  http://tinyurl.com/yk7jl8v

Macey's Market
 
Grandma's Country Foods:  http://tinyurl.com/yl953aq
 
Nitro-Pak.com:  http://www.nitro-pak.com/
 
Nutty Guys:  http://www.nuttyguys.com/Dried-Fruit-C4.aspx


 

There are also many on-line businesses that you can locate by doing an internet search.  The prices range from the $20.00+ and more for a #10 can.  We will discuss the differences between Freeze-Dried and Dehydrated foods in another post.  I am also going to offer suggestions on how you can use these important foods for snacks and in meals. 

Start making your choices..today

It's a matter of a Caucus.....

Lately, I have been getting a great deal of information from many of the candidates running for office.  In particular the Senate race seems to be highly contested, and each campaign is wanting to educate citizens in this process so that those who support their candidate can understand participate.

I am sharing information I recieved from one of the candidates about the process. 

Why Delegates Matter:

In Utah, the candidates who represent each political party are chosen by delegates at state and county party conventions. The process begins at the neighborhood or precinct level. Typically a precinct includes 1,200-1,300 homes, so a precinct is roughly the size of a neighborhood.

Each precinct will hold a meeting, called a caucus meeting, on March 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm (Republican & Demoncratic parties). This is a very important day and meeting, so put it on your calendar if you haven’t already! During the precinct caucus meeting, people from your precinct (neighborhood) will be elected to represent your precinct as delegates to the state and county nominating conventions. (As a delegate you will be the one to cast votes for which candidates you feel best represent your precinct, the party etc.)

Why Delegates Matter More than Ever:

At the convention, if a candidate receives 60% of the delegate vote, they automatically become the party’s candidate and move on to the general election in November. If no candidate reaches 60%, the top two candidates move on to a primary election held in June.

(Source:  Mike Lee Campaign)
 

I have been a delegate before, and loved the process.  I loved being with people that I knew and together we would work to vote for individuals that they feel will best represent the views of our area.  The individuals who are elected have the responsibility to attend meetings, and listen to candidates.  They also can take questions from people in their precinct and ask them of candidates when they go to listen to them.

 

People from every walk-of-life are elected as delegates.  They have the grassroot power to ultimately determine who represents their party in the campaign run-off.  In  every sense of the word...it is "power to the people".

 

Mark your calendar today and plan to attend your area Precinct/Caucus.  To find your precinct, please go to the website of your affiliation:

 
http://utahcountygop.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Oatw6p4Vblo%3d&tabid=39&mid=407
 
http://www.utdemocrats.org/
 

Get Involved!

It's Week #3 in March...and the focus is Dehydrated Fruit...

Hi all!  It's week #3 of March and we are going to be focusing on acquiring Dehydrated or Freeze Dried Fruit.  I will try to post several ideas for you and I am trying to work out a group order, but haven't got any committment from the company I have been corresponding with.

I love chocolate...way too much.  The picture above are chocolate covered cherries.....that I made.  As you know the LRH does not do anything that is "too hard" so you know this is easy.  These are actual Cherries that I dehydrated last Fall.  I will show you before and after pictures of that process, and then the process to make these yummy treats.

Here the Cherries have been pitted.  I cut some in half and left others whole.

Here is the "after" picture.  The Cherries are now dehydrated.  They are not rock hard, they are flexible.  When you dehydrate fruit, you want to leave it "chewy".

Now on to the treat.  This took me about 10 minutes.  You could do this between commercials if you wanted to.  Here is how it is done:

I use Almond Bark.  I melted 2 squares in the microwave

I stirred it up with a fork to make sure it was all melted.  I always try to put the bowl on a plate to avoid spilling on the counter and also to have a place to put my utensil that I may be using.  It keeps the "mess" in one place.

Next, get out your cherries (or any fruit for that matter).

I placed a Cherry in the chocolate and covered it using a fork.  I then tapped the fork on the side of the bowl to let the excess chocolate fall back in the bowl.

Then, I placed them on a sheet of wax paper.  Once cooled, I put them in the bowl. 

I promise, if you try chocolate covered "anything" fruit-wise..it will not last long.  This is an easy way to introduce dehydrated fruit to your family. 

Set your timer.....they won't last long!

P.S. ....for another Sweet Treat...look at the post for Fruit Leather.  It is simple to make and delicious!