This Jan. 5, 2015 photo shows a fondue duo of chocolate mango and five spice caramel sauces in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

This Jan. 5, 2015 photo shows a fondue duo of chocolate mango and five spice caramel sauces in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Want Valentine’s Day ease that still impresses?

  • By ALISON LADMAN
  • Tuesday, January 20, 2015 4:18pm
  • LifeFood

Worried your kitchen skills may not be up to pulling together something impressively decadent for Valentine’s Day? Fear not. A pricy restaurant meal isn’t your only option.

We created this delicious, yet simple pair of fondue sauces to be easy for even the most clueless cook. But we didn’t sacrifice the wow-factor in the process. Warm chocolate-mango and five-spice caramel sauces are anything but ordinary. For ease, we pair them with purchased items for dipping — biscotti, pound cake, fresh berries, whatever inspires you.

And while fondue pots are nice, they aren’t essential. You also can offer these sauces in small serving dishes. If they get too cool, just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.

The only slightly unusual ingredient on this menu is the mango puree. It’s usually sold in the grocer’s freezer section alongside the Hispanic ingredients. If you can’t find it, it’s easy to make your own. Add about 1 cup of fresh or frozen (thawed) mango chunks to the blender and puree. Strain the puree, then proceed with the recipe.

Fondue duo of chocolate-mango and five-spice caramel sauces

Start to finish: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

For the chocolate fondue:

1/2 cup mango puree

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

3 tablespoons honey

For the caramel fondue:

1/2 cup half-and-half

5 ounces caramels (about 17 to 18 pieces)

1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder

For dunking:

Wafer cookies

Fresh berries

Biscotti

Marshmallows

Pound cake, cut into cubes or sticks

Angel food cake, cut into cubes or sticks

In a small saucepan over medium, heat the mango puree and butter until simmering and the butter has melted. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate and honey. Allow to sit for 2 minutes, then stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. Set aside, but keep warm.

In another small saucepan over medium, heat the half-and-half until it simmers. Add the caramels and five-spice powder, then cook, stirring constantly, until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth.

Transfer the two mixtures to 2 small serving bowls. Set on a platter surrounded by the various items for dunking. Alternatively, set up 2 heated fondue pots according to product directions and pour the dipping sauces into those.

Serve immediately.

More in Life

File
Minister’s Message: Living in the community of faith

Many of us tend to stay within our own denomination for purposes of what we consider to be purity of doctrine.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork by Susan Nabholz, Charlotte Coots and Chelline Larsen is displayed as part of “Fiber” at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday.
Focus on fiber

Kenai Art Center show transforms threads to art

The Palm Springs Limelight-News used this photo in 1946 to announce the start of the Alaska Photographic Expedition, guided by Keith McCullagh (left) for his expedition partner and photographer, Harry Reed.
Mostly separate lives: The union and disunion of Nellie and Keith — Part 5

After a bankruptcy, a divorce and an 18-year absence from Alaska, Louis Keith McCullagh headed north on vacation.

These cupcakes are dense, more like brownies than traditional cupcakes, and are chock full of chocolate. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate’ with some sprinkles

These cupcakes are dense, more like brownies than traditional cupcakes, and are chock full of chocolate.

Sophie Thatcher is Iris in “Companion.” (Promotional photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
On the Screen: ‘Companion’ provides an entertaining critique of digital romance

There are interesting ideas here about what human connection looks like in a world where people are increasingly siloed away into digital spaces.

Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
SoHi jazz band and swing choir fundraiser concert set for Feb. 11

The show will feature SoHi’s jazz band, swing choir, “several vocal soloists” and a variety of cheesecakes.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Life in the Pedestrian Lane: January’s done

This has been the strangest January I can remember, and to hear others, apparently it’s pretty unprecedented.

This 1931 photograph from the Wrangell Sentinel shows the Wrangell public school where Jean Hofstad (the former Nellie McCullagh) taught during the 1940s.
Mostly separate lives: The union and disunion of Nellie and Keith — Part 4

The two members of what the Cordova Daily Times had once called a “popular young couple” began carving out separate lives.

Galbi jjim, or braised beef short ribs, are prepared for lunar new year and celebrate the year of the snake. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Beginning the year of the snake

The lunar new year took place Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Most Read