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Show Economic Upturn Foreseen, Slow But Sure Chocolates; A Tantalizing Treat By DONALD L. SNYDER By DONETA GATHERUM A modern upturn should occur sometime this year. Although it won't be very rapid, it will be a solid improvement. Some of the things that we might look for this year are: -I- NTEREST RATES. The prime rate will range from 10 to 3 pecent and v. ill probably finish the year averaging close to II and 12 percent. The rate charged to commercial firms and private individuals, of course, will be higher. Although there has been some modernation of interest rates in recent months, that trend is not expected to continue unless the recovery of the economy is slower than anticipated. It is difficult to say whether the Federal Reserve will attempt to control the money supply or adjust the money supply to consumer demand. Conflicting signals are coming from the Federal Reserve at this time regarding this policy. It is hard to think of candy or desserts without including chocolate. This South American gift to the confection loving world is universally popular. NEARLY EVERYONE knows that chocolate comes from the beans of the cacao tree. Few realize that the substance was not originally used as a sweet additive to candy. The Aztec Indians of Mexico made a thick, bitter drink from the cacao beans. Columbus presented some of the brown beans to Femdinand and Isabella who considered them a useless curiosity. In 1519, Cortez and his Spanish explorers were treated to a cold beverage called xocolatl, meaning Bitter water. Later the spelling was changed to chocolatl . The Spaniards did not like this Aztec drink. They experimented and added sugar and spices to the juice of the cacao beans. Soon chocolatl was the most popular drink in the Spanish royal court. CORTEZ RETURNED to Spain with a supply of beans and some plants. Soon the evergreen cacao tree was growing in the Spanish colonies that were near the Equator where the climate is hot and humid all year. The popularity of chocolate spread from Spain to France and England. j, THE DRINK was high priced because the beans had to be ground by hand. With the development of steam-drive- n grinders and other equipment in the early 1700s, the price of chocolate was lowered to a point where all people could enjoy it. In 1765 the first chocolate factory in America was established in New England. IN 1875 Daniel Peter, a Swiss inventor, found a way to make milk chocolate that could be molded for eating as a candy. Today most chocolate is eaten, not consumed as a beverage. r f r WHEN THE Hershey chocolate factory opened in Pennsylvania in 1900, cocoa and chocolate products really came of age. Today this factory, one of the largest in the world, is a major tourist attraction. One simple way to enjoy chocolate treats is to follow the Chocolate Plus recipe and its variations. The recipe uses ready-mad- e plain chocolate like the semi-swechocolate bits or a plain chocolate bar. Dipping chocolate or chocolate bark can also be used. et CHOCOLATE PLUS cup chocolate bits A cup light corn syrup 2 tsps. water tsp. vanilla 1 1 1 -I- NFLATION RATE. It is anticipated that the inflation rate will only be moderately higher than last year, which is the lowest it has been in many years. The inflation should not exceed an average 6 percent for the year. It is expected that the inflation rate will remain low the first half of the year and increase slightly the second half. However, it is extremely dolibtful that the inflation rate will reach 8 or 9 percent by the end of the year. -- Unemployment. It is anticipated that 3 million more Americans will find jobs as major industry shows recovery signs. Unemployment w ill decline to just under 10 percent by the year's end. While the rate is high, it is much lower than this period in 1982. The thing that is often overlooked is the fact that total employment has continued to increase in spite of the fact that unemployment has increased. This occurs because the rate of which new jobs are created in the economy cannot match the rate at which the population is expanding or various sectors of the population begin looking for work. It is wrong to assume that just because unemployment increases, fewer people are working! -- GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT. The average growth for the year should approach 3 to 3.5 percent. Retail and wholesale sales and sales of durable goods will be strong during the last half of 1983. There has been a recent increase in consumer buying which should stimulate the economy even further. -- Agricultural Sector. Feed grain prices have increased dramatically due to the enrollment into the PIK program by the farm community. Feed grain prices are expected to remain strong through the remainder of 1983 in spite of the face that export demand is not expected to improve. Domestic demand for agricultural commodities is not expected to be particularly strong. It is hard to imagine candy or a dessert without including chocolate. PUT THE chocolate, corn syrup and water in a greased saucepan. Apply low heat and stir the mixture gently as the chocolate melts. When the mixture is smooth, take the saucepan off the heat. Stir in the vanilla and one or a combination of the ingredients listed below. Drop by spoonfuls on a piece of wax paper. Chill in the refrigerator to harden the chocolate. Additives to the Chocolate Plus recipe: 2 cups shredded coconut or 2 cups of any plain dry cereal or 2 cups chopped nuts or any 2 cup combination of cereal, nuts, coconut, seeds, raisins etc. Fudge, the most popular chocolate candy, was a fad in the late 1800s at women's colleges like Vassar and Smith. After lights out, the young ladies would cook fudge candy over a gas lamp. CHOCOLATE FUDGE with unsweetened chocolate 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate 2 cups sugar one-oun- 23 cup milk 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup Tbsp. butter or margarine tsp. vanilla additional butter or margarine 1 1 CUT THE squares of chocolate into small pieces. Put the sugar, milk and corn syrup in the saucepan. Heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Add the chocolate pieces to the sugar mixture and stir until the chocolate has melted. Put a candy thermometer into the mixture and cook to 236 degrees. Remove from the heat. Add butter or margarine. Dont stir. Let the fudge cool until the bottom of the pan feels comfortably warm. This may take 45 minutes. Grease lightly a pie pan or a deep plate with butter or margarine. STIR IN the vanilla. Beat the fudge as hard as you can. It will already be quite stiff. Pour into the pie pan or plate. Before the fudge is completely hard, cut it into squares with a knife that has been dipped into hot water. Marion COUPON COOKBOOK CORNER Joyce This recipe is a great snack idea when company is coming. It is good for adults and children's parties alike. It is nutritious, attractive and easy to prepare. Spring Salads And Dressings USE COUPON BELOW By LUCILLE STRINGHAM CHEESY PEANUT BALL 2 cups shredded HOFFMANS FLAVORED CHEESE oz. cream cheese tbl. finely chopped red onion V, teaspoon curry A cup peanuts 3 2 FLAVORED CHEESE, cream v Beat together HOFFMANS cheese, onion and curry. Shape into a ball and roll in pea-- : nuts. Cover and chill. Serve at room temperature with assorted crackers. t OFF I 300520 on any flavor of HoffmanV sticks pFovxtadvou and vour customer Ard9raonCtvMnFoodBw0aywfac9Mluolut8efDrhindimgandcntoe lb ontyrfpresentedbyaratMerofourmerchandissoracteemghciuse hmecttrefwdwithihewmsyMheoffer of nefc oM tm rata Mr Rata Mr must atom on reouaat awoices prowng purchases ttJOTOMd by us and acting tor and af to oewer toe coupons prasentod tor redempeon Tftecoupontsnontransterabie wdhwnonnaf redamcuoricycto rvt hi rnirnrfirrn Any sates te must be petd by customer Offer good only m USA APO s FPO s Voto where ForpeymentoffacevefuesendtoAndereonCteyton prombeed tadoroihwaeresmctedCarf)redemeboneiueon20pi Foods PO Bo 3023 EM City NC 27886 aisnwbsgtf : Coupon os pree November 1 tW3 Limit one coupon per purchase Spring is the time for salads and new dressings for the tossed salads. Try a nippy cheese loaf to serve with them. NIPPY CHEESE LOAF (5 oz.) jar sharp processed cheese spread 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce A tsp. garlic salt large loaf homemade bread 1 1 CHERRILLS DRESSING For Green Salads 'A cup lemon juice A cup orange juice 2 cups salad oil A cup cider vinegar A tsp. Worcestershire sauce A tsp. prepared mustard A tsp. paprika tsp. onion salt A tsp. garlic salt 1 cup powdered sugar PUT ALL ingredients in a blender and blend well. If you do not have a blender use a wire whip or shake in a bottle. Chill. Taste improves if refrigerated over night. Serve on a 1 tossed salad made with lettuce, radishes, shredded cabbage and other vegetables. Use spinach for a variety in the greens. SOFTEN cheese spread at room temperature. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and garlic salt. Slice bread in thick slices almost through bottom crust and spread cheese mixture on one side of slices. Wrap loaf in foil, leaving foil open slightly on top. Bake in 375 oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Great served with soup or salad. Dried parsley flakes can be sprinkled on bread slices before baking. MEXICAN COLE SLAW 4 cups finely shredded cab- bage cup diced celery 13 cup finely cut green pepper 1 Recipes for the Home Gardener 2 Tbsp. chopped green onions A cup drained kidney beans, canned or cooked PLACE vegetables in salad bowl and cover with the following dressing: A cup vinegar 1A tsp. salt 1 Tbsp. sugar V tsp. chili powder A tsp. pepper A cup evaporated milk. PLACE IN a jar and shake well. Keep chilled until ready to serve. Additional sugar may be added to the dressing if desired. Serves 6 300520 I 0 1 SUMMER POTATO SALAD Special Dressing: A cup vinegar A cup water A cup sugar A tsp. salt Dash of pepper tsp. prepared mustard PLACE IN sauce pan and bring to a boil. Beat 2 eggs and add to hot liquid. Add hot liquid to eggs and then return to liquid in pan and cook on reduced heat until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes; stirring constantly. Re1 move from heat and cool slightly and stir in 1 cup salad dressing. PREPARE the following vegetables: 4 cups of cubed cooked potatoes (about 2 2 pounds) hard cooked eggs, chopped A cup chopped cucumber Tbsp. chopped onion 1 1 Tbsp. chopped green pepper A cup chopped celery PLACE IN bowl and toss together the vegetables and eggs. Pour dressing over them and gently stir to cover and blend flavors. Add salt and pepper if necessary. Serves 6. ' |