Three slow-cooker dishes that are sure to be a hit on Valentine's Day

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- If you're looking for a Valentine's Day treat for your special someone, Mark Hagen from Taste of Home has you covered. He joined FOX6 WakeUp with three slow-cooker dishes perfect to impress you loved ones on Valentine's Day, without taxing your time in the kitchen.

Warm Strawberry Fondue

For a delightful dessert, Sharon Mensing needs only a handful of ingredients to fix this unusual fruit fondue. "Use grapes, bananas, strawberries and angel food cake cubes as dippers," she suggests from Greenfield, Iowa.

Prep/Total Time: 15 min.

In a food processor, combine the strawberries, cream, cornstarch and lemon juice; cover and process until smooth.
Pour into saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Transfer to a fondue pot or 1-1/2-qt. slow cooker; keep warm. Serve with cake and fruit. Yield: 1-1/2 cups.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving (2 tablespoons prepared with fat-free half-and-half; calculated without cake and fruit) equals 27 calories, trace fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 6 mg sodium, 7 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, trace protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fruit.

Beef Braciole

My great aunt used to make the most amazing braciole, but it was a laborious and time-consuming effort. I took her basic recipe and transformed it into a slow cooker version, making it easier for today's hurried world. My great aunt always served the flank steak sliced over orzo that had been tossed with olive oil and Romano cheese. Delicioso!—Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Prep: 30 min. Cook: 6 hours

In a 5- or 6-qt. oval slow cooker, combine pasta sauce and pepper flakes. Pound steak with a meat mallet to 1/2-in. thickness; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, combine eggs and bread crumbs. Spoon over beef to within 1 in. of edges; press onto meat. Layer with prosciutto and cheese. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; tie at 2-in. intervals with kitchen string.
In a Dutch oven, brown meat in oil on all sides. Transfer to slow cooker; spoon sauce over meat. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until beef is tender.
Remove meat from sauce and discard string. Cut into slices; serve with sauce. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving equals 515 calories, 25 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 155 mg cholesterol, 1,881 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 38 g protein

Chocolate Peanut Drops

This is a recipe that I got from a friend, who got it from her sister, and between the three of us we've handed it out everywhere! The chocolatey candies couldn't be easier to make in the slow cooker and depending on the size of your spoon, you can get at least several dozen candies from this one recipe. So easy and great for gifts.—Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 1-1/2 hours + standing

In a 6-qt. slow cooker, layer ingredients in order listed (do not stir). Cover and cook on low for 1-1/2 hours. Stir to combine. (If chocolate is not melted, cover and cook 15 minutes longer; stir. Repeat in 15-minute increments until chocolate is melted.)
Drop mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Yield: about 11 dozen. Chocolate Peanut Bark: Cook chocolate mixture as directed; spread into two 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. waxed paper-lined baking pans. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm. Cut into bite-sized pieces.

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece equals 102 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 1 mg cholesterol, 31 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.