National Chocolate Fondue Day

Ingredients

2/3 cup half-and-half

12oz milk chocolate or 1 bag (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips (2 cups))

2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur, kirsch, brandy or half-and-half

Dippers (pound cake cubes, strawberries, pineapple chunks, apple slices, marshmallows, bananas)

Directions

In 2-quart heavy saucepan, heat half-and-half and chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth; remove from heat. Stir in liqueur. Pour into fondue pot or chafing dish.

Spear Dippers with fondue forks; dip into fondue. (If fondue becomes too thick, stir in a small amount of half-and-half.)

National Peanut Butter Day

Peanut Noodles

Ingredients

8 oz chow mein noodles

5 Tbsp creamy peanut butter, preferably organic

3 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar

1 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce

½ c chopped scallion greens + ¼ c slivered scallion greens

Directions

PREPARE chow mein noodles per package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and drain noodles in colander.

WHISK together reserved cooking liquid, peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, and chopped scallion greens. Add to pasta, tossing to combine well.

DIVIDE among 4 serving bowls and top with slivered scallion greens.

National Blonde Brownie Day

Blonde Brownies

Ingredients:

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan.

Measure 1 cup sifted flour. Add baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift again. Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Mix well and set aside.

Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter and mix well. Cool slightly.

Mix the beaten egg and vanilla into the brown sugar mixture. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing just until combined.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips on top. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.

National Granola Bar Day

Chocolate, Nuts & Seed Granola Bars

Ingredients:

2/3 cup creamy peanut butter (regular or natural both work)

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup walnut oil (canola oil may be substituted)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats (not quick)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds, hulled

1/4 cup mini chocolate chip

2 tablespoons ground flax seeds

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Directions:

Heat oven to 350º F. Line a 8"x8" baking pan with foil. Lightly grease foil with cooking spray or oil.

In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey, oil and salt. Stir until smooth.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, walnuts, sunflower nuts, chocolate chips, ground flax seed, chia seeds, and sesame seeds.

Pour the peanut butter mixture into the oat mixture and stir until evenly combined. Press into prepared pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into bars.