Easy Fondue Recipes

Each year around Valentines Day, it is a tradition for my little family to make fondue. We love to get together with friends and have a little Valentines Fondue Party. This year, myself and a close friend decided to plan a little date night for us, our hubby's and our kids. We decided to try a couple of knock off fondue recipes from The Melting Pot restaurant. We were not disappointed and our little get together was a huge success, for we did not leave hungry! In fact, we were all STUFFED TO THE BRIM!!

For this years festivities, We decided on 3 fondue's for our dinner. The first Course, "The Melting Pot" Mojo Broth. The second, Ooey Gooey Cheese Fondue (a family favorite). For dessert, The Melting Pot's Flaming Turtle Fondue. These three recipes were too good to

not share! For unforgettable 3 Course Valentine's Dinner with your sweetheart, stay in and make these delicious fondue recipes!

The Melting Pot's Mojo Broth Recipe

Ingredients:

5 1/4 c. vegetable or chicken stock

1/4 c. orange juice, fresh squeezed

1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro

2 T. Ground Cumin

2 T. Jerk Seasoning

2 T. Black Pepper, cracked

2 T. Lime Juice, fresh squeezed

1 T. minced Garlic

Directions:

Step 1: Combine ingredients in a Saucepan on the stove. Bring to a boil.

Step 2. Transfer to fondue pot with it's own heat source.

Step 3: Use this broth to cook pieces of beef, chicken, shrimp, potstickers, mushrooms, potatoes, or broccoli.

Ooey Gooey Cheese Fondue

(this recipe is from the kitchen of Todd & Liz Benson)

Ingredients:

9 ounces Gruyere Cheese ( I find mine at Harmon's in the Delicatsen)

9 ounces Emmentaler cheese

1 clove garlic, halved

1 c. Apple Juice

1 T. Cornstarch

3 T. lemon juice

sweet paprika

freshly ground nutmeg

Directions:

Grate the cheeses. Rub the fondue pot with garlic. Add the apple

juice and heat slowly. When it just begins to bubble, stir in the cheese by the handful. When the cheese is melted, mix cornstarch and lemon juice until smooth. Stir into cheese mixture until thickened. Season with paprika and nutmeg. Transfer to fondue pot to serve! We liked dipping cubes of french bread, apples, broccoli, carrots, little smokies, chopped celery in our cheese fondue!

The Melting Pot's Flaming Turtle Fondue

Ingredients:

2 large Symphony bars

1/2- 1 c. caramel

1 ounce chopped pecans

1/3 ounce one fifty one rum ( may substitute with other flambe liquor)

Directions:

1. Melt all ingredients into a double boiler fondue pot, heat mixture of chocolate and caramel to 135 degrees.

2. Stir frequently (for thinner add a little milk)

3. Slowly pour rum into fondue pot.

4. Ignite liquor by touching a lighted match to the side of the pot.

5. After flame burns, sprinkle nuts over chocolate

6. Serve with rice crispies, brownie bites, Nilla wafers, bananas, strawberries, pretzels, cinnamon bears, blackberries, apples.

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Valentine's Day Picnic Recipes

I am always looking for ways to have a little fun on the holidays with my family and taking your family on a picnic on Valentines day is a wonderful way to celebrate with them. Whether you throw down a blanket in your living room, over a desk at work (surprise your spouse) or at a nearby park (depending on the weather), this little outing can be a memorable one; especially with the right food!

A week ago, I tried out a new pulled pork recipe on my family and it was a huge hit. It cooks in the slow cooker which I love. This pulled pork recipe could be made the day before and then packaged into containers to take on your picnic. All that would be required is to take the meat mixture and spread on buns and serve on paper plates. Easy Peasy!

Along with that pulled pork sandwich recipe you need an easy side dish recipe! Now I don't usually like coleslaw but this coleslaw recipe is to die for! You can use an already bagged carrots/cabbage salad for convience and ease and then make a simple but delicious dressing to go over the top of it! Delish!

You can either serve this coleslaw is as a side dish or you can top it onto the Pulled pork Sandwiches. It balances out the tang!

For dessert, try taking these Queen Of Hearts Cheesecake Tartlets along. These can also be made ahead of time and they package and travel easy because of their size! They also easy to serve because they are in cupcake liners!

Make this Valentines Memorable and Special by going on a picnic with your loved ones and serving these yummy and easy recipes! Enjoy!

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 (2 pound) Pork Tenderloin

1 (12 ounce) can Rootbeer

1 (18 ounce) bottle of BBQ Sauce ( I recommend Baby Ray's)

8 Hamburger Buns

Coleslaw

Directions:

Step 1: Place tenderloin in slow cooker/crockpot and pour root beer over the top of pork. Cover and cook for 6-7 hours on low or until meat falls apart and shreds easily. Drain the juices and pull the pork apart with two forks until it is shredded. Stir in BBQ sauce until well combined and warm in crock pot until ready to serve.

Step 2: Place some of the pork on the bottom of a Hamburger bun, top with coleslaw or bun.

Cupid's Coleslaw

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) bag of carrot and cabbage mix

2 T. diced onions

2/3 c. Miracle whip

3 T. vegetable oil

1/2 c. white sugar (or less)

1 T. White Vinegar

1/4 t. salt

1/2 t. Poppy seeds

Directions:

Step 1: In a large bowl combine coleslaw mix and diced onion.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine miracle whip, vegetable oil, sugar, vinegar, salt and poppy seeds by whisking ingredients together with a wire whisk. Pour mixed salad dressing over coleslaw mix and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours before serving so flavors have time to mesh! Enjoy!

* Pulled pork and coleslaw recipes/pictures are courtesy of Blogchef.com

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Queen of Hearts Cheesecake Tartlets

With Valentines Day coming up right around the bend, I wanted to share a quick and easy dessert recipe with you, Queen of Hearts Cheesecake Tartlets. These dainty little tarts would be a wonderful finale to any Holiday Dinner; especially a Romantic Valentines Day Dinner with that special lady or guy in your life. Even your little cherubs will be excited about these tarts because they are perfect for little hands.

These little tartlets are made up of Nilla wafers that are placed in the bottom of cupcake liners for a crunchy crust and then topped with creamy cream cheese filling and then baked in the oven for a few short minutes and then topped with your favorite pie filling. A few of my favorites are the Wilderness brand pie fillings such as cherry, blueberry, and Berry Medley (my personal favorite) they are a little more expensive but the extra few cents are worth it!

These tarts are a perfect way to woo your Valentine and fit for the Royalty in your life! Enjoy!

Queen Of Hearts Cheesecake Tartlets

Ingredients:

2 packages of Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup Sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

2 eggs

12-15 vanilla wafers

1 21 ounce Pie filling of your choice (cherry, blueberry or berry medley are my favorites)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place paper cupcake liners in the bottom of a muffin pan. When I made this recipe I was able to get 15 tarts but each pan is different.

Beat Cream Cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla, beating well. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Place a Nilla Wafter, flat side down in each cupcake liner. Spoon cream cheese mixture over wafers til 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow tarts to cool completely before topping with your choice of pie filling. Store in the Fridge. Yield: 12-15 mini tarts.

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

"Be Mine" Vintage Valentine Garland

I can't believe that Valentines Day is almost exactly one week away!! This past week I realized that I didn't have one single decoration up inside my home except the Wooden Love Wreath that I have hanging on my front door. Holidays are a BIG BIG DEAL here at the Culinary Queen Bee's Home (ask my friends, I am always the neighborhood nut that has her Holiday Decor out first) so it is unlike me not have some Holiday Spirit Showcased inside my home as well as outside. Last week as I was blog searching, I came across this Darling Vintage Valentine Tutorial that was featured on my friends blog, Our Cozy Nest. I love the things that Nicole features. She truly is a wonderful Domestic Engineer. She is always coming up with cute new ways to spruce up her home and make it... well, A COZY NEST. When I saw this darling garland I "fell in love with it." Literally. And knew that I needed one to make my nest cozy for Valentines Day!

Go here to see Nicole's Be Mine Vintage Valentine Garland Tutorial.

I really am thrilled with how my own garland turned out. It does take some time and patience to put together but I promise that the end result of this darling craft won't leave you heartbroken.

Check back often during this upcoming week for I will be featuring:

Queen of Heart Cheesecake Tartlet Recipe

Cute Valentine Crafts to make with your Kids

Fondue Recipes for an extra Special and Sensual Dinner with your Valentine

Valentine Picnic Date Idea for you and your Sweetheart

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Puffy Apple Pancake

We have all been told that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I agree whole heartedly. Breakfast is certainly one of my favorites. During the week I have to admit that I don't go all out and make warm breakfasts for my lil' family but I love to splurge and make something extra special on the weekends to make up for it. This recipe is a recipe that I learned while working at a Food Company down in Southern Utah and it has become one of my favorites to make on the weekends or for a special occasion. This recipe definitely feeds the masses and makes a huge 9X13 pancake. I like to halve this recipe for my little family of four because we don't eat a whole lot. Plus, this recipe is best served fresh and not a day old. This would be a perfect Valentines Day breakfast for that special lady or guy in your life. Cut this pancake into squares and Serve with Maple Syrup drizzled over the top and pair it with fresh sliced strawberries along with a slice of bacon or a couple of sausage links for a "Heart Warming" Breakfast.

Puffy Apple Pancake

Flour Mixture Ingredients:

1 c. Flour

1/3 c. Sugar

1/2 t. Salt

1/4 t. Cinnamon

Liquid Mixture:

1 1/2 c. Liquid Eggs or 6 fresh eggs

11/2 c. Milk

1 t. Vanilla

2 C. Apples, sliced thin ( I like to use Granny Smith)

1/4-1/2c. Brown Sugar

2 T. Butter

Directions:

Pour Liquid ingredients into a bowl. Whisk in Flour Mixture until well blended. Preheat Oven to 425 degrees. Melt Butter in a 9X13 pan. If you are halving the recipe, use a 9x9 pan or a 9 inch pie plate. Arrange apples in a single layer in pan. Return pan to oven just until butter sizzles, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and pour batter over the apples. Sprinkle brown sugar over the top. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes or until pancake is puffed up and lightly brown. Serve by drizzling Maple Syrup over the top. Enjoy!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen