Easy Turtles

I have never been very creative, in the kitchen or otherwise.  In the craft department I am usually able to duplicate something, or if it has a pattern, like cross stitching or sewing, it's a piece of cake.  In the kitchen, I am golden (usually) if I have a recipe.  Before my mom passed away I would frequently send her emails asking for certain recipes that she used to make and techniques she used to make something.  Just a couple of weeks ago, in fact, my sister called me asking "how did mom make fried okra?".  I had no clue.  Since leaving the south nearly 13 years ago, my taste buds have not been anywhere near okra as I don't think too many people out this way eat it any other way than pickled.  She used to cook it just right.  It wasn't battered like you find in the store, it was breaded, and she would cook it until it was crunchy and to most people it would appear burnt, but it was so delicious.

Now, my mom loved sweets.  But for her it wasn't just any sweets.  She had her favorites, and she was really good at making things that other people loved and she hated.  For instance, as long as I lived in her house, I got a made from scratch carrot cake for my birthday.  It was fantastic, but there was no way you would ever catch her eating any of it.  What did she like?  Well one of the things that stands out to me is a turtle.  I too love turtles.  My dad would get her a whole box of them at Christmas, just for her.

Last week I bought some caramels with the intent of making some caramel apples with the kids.  The other night I was craving something sweet, since my diet is on hold until my will power decides to return.  I grabbed a caramel, and two pecan halves and popped it in the microwave to melt it a little and what came next was pure genius.  I thought, hmm, this is so good.  All it needs is some chocolate and voila! It's a turtle.

Tonight I grabbed my daughter to lend me a hand and here is what went down.  This is so simple, and to most probably common sense, but honestly my brain just doesn't usually function this way.

1.  Grab a bag of Kraft caramels and a few kids to start unwrapping them into a bowl.

2.  Take some pecan halves, 2 halves for each caramel, and stick one on each side of a caramel pressing gently so they stick.

3.  Place entire plate of caramels into microwave and zap them for about 30 second and test.  It took 50 seconds for ours to be soft enough.  When they come out of the microwave, immediately squish each one together so they stay stuck.  You want them to be soft, but not melted.

4. Place squished candies into the freezer while you melt the chocolate.

5. Choose a chocolate.  I had some semi sweet bakers chocolate which would have been perfect for me, but I added 3 cubes of chocolate flavored almond bark to a whole bar of bakers chocolate to sweeten it up a little.  Any chocolate that will harden when at room temperature will be fine.  Melt the chocolate in the microwave using 30 second intervals and stirring between each until its smooth.

6.  Remove the candies from the freezer and get ready to dunk!  Using a fork, drop each one into the chocolate and roll it around until fully covered and then place it on wax paper to dry.

7.  Try not to lick the entire bowl of chocolate clean, and eat all the caramels in one sitting.

8. Let the candies cool until the chocolate hardens. 

There ya go.  It's not rocket science but it is good! In honor of my mom and her love of the nutty, caramel-y  chocolaty goodness, ENJOY!