Ingredients:
4 C granulated sugar
1 can evaporated milk
4 T butter
3 4 ounce bars German Sweet Chocolate bars OR Semi-sweet chocolate, cut in small pieces
1 12 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 7 ounce jar Marshmallow Fluff
1 tsp vanilla
chopped walnuts (optional) Chopped hazelnuts or almonds are options.
Instructions:
Set your burner to medium heat. In a large saucepan, stir together sugar, evaporated milk and butter. Continue to stir as the mixture comes to a boil. Stir, as it boils, for 5 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat.
Add the chocolate chips, marshmallow fluff and vanilla and stir until combined and smooth
Add nuts, if using, at this time. Pour the mixture into a 9" X 13" pan. Let cool completely and then cut into squares.
Recipe Notes: I made 1/2 of this recipe as described above and another 1/2 recipe using the same quantities of organic fair trade chocolate as close to 55% cacao content as possible. Both turned out well and reminded me of Mom's special occasion, sweet and rich fudge-making.
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Story:
At its essence, February 14th, the feast of Saint Valentine encourages loving relationships. We also may think of romance, gifts of roses, chocolates. As Franciscans, our call reaches far: to act, pray and speak out in love for the poor and anyone whose safety or dignity is threatened. Individuals, neighborhoods and communities prayerfully discern the universal call to love.
Be inspired by Pope Leo’s Apostolic Exhortation (letter) on Love for the Poor called "I Have Loved You" or "Dilexi Te" Click here for the full document. Twenty-Third Publications offers a shorter version that can be read together in a group with reflection questions included.
For chocolate lovers, The Seasoned Franciscan offers the sweet recipe for “My Mom’s Fudge” for Saint Valentine's Day.
and a Fair Trade Chocolate Tasting idea from Equal Exchange. It is worthwhile to ask where our foods come from, who grows them and how fairly are they paid and supported. Equal Exchange is a reputable fair trade company that sells organic and ethically sourced chocolate and other foods from around the world that are grown and processed by farmer members of cooperatives. Equal Exchange supports farmers and their families who grow bananas, dates, nuts, tea, chocolate, coffee and more, while respecting the earth for future generations.
Equal Exchange recommends you examine one or more chocolate varieties such as those listed below for: appearance, texture, smell and taste. They can be found wherever fair trade or organic chocolate is sold.
Dark Caramel Crunch Chocolate with Sea Salt (57% Cacao)
Mint Crunch Peppermint Infused Sugar Crystals (67% Cacao)
Very Dark from Dominican Republic and Peru (71% Cacao)
Panama Extra Dark (80% Cacao)
Total Eclipse Trancendantly Dark (92% Cacao)
Invitations to Mission:
- Read Pope Leo’s letter about love for the poor. See links above.
- Read and pray about the upcoming FSPA Assembly in June: What is ours to do?
- Support locally owned businesses with your purchases and get to know their people. Encounters with our neighbors in community has more value than saving money by buying from a large corporation.
- In your grocery budget, make room for one or more fair trade products. Other than chocolate, check into coffee, tea, bananas, dates and other dried fruits and nuts. Ask at your favorite grocery store or food co-op about their fair trade products or shop directly online.
- Learn more about Fair Trade buying and about one of its leaders, Equal Exchange. See the 6/14/2024 Seasoned Franciscan post for more information. Recently, Equal Exchange has merged with La Siembra, a Canadian worker owned sister co-op in order to "build their strength and act together against fortress powers"!
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