Toffee Worm Surprise*
3/4 cup tightly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup live mealworms (you can get them at a pet shop or bait shop)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
colander
paper towel
cookie sheet
9-inch square baking pan
Mealworms come in a container with either bran or crumpled newspaper. To separate the mealworms from the packing material, place in colander and gently toss. Remove dead mealworms and any other bits of debris. Wash mealworms in colander under cool water. Place on paper towel and pat dry. They are now ready for cooking.
Place paper towel on cookie sheet. Spread mealworms on paper towel and place in 200-degree oven for one to two hours until they are thoroughly dry and crunchy. They are now dry roasted.
Butter baking pan. Coarsely chop dry-roasted mealworms and set aside. Carefully heat sugar and butter in saucepan until boiling. Stir over medium heat for seven minutes. Remove from heat and stir in roasted insects. Pour into pan.
Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot mixture and cover pan for five minutes or until chocolate melts. Remove cover and spread melted chocolate evenly over toffee. While still warm, cut into 1 1/2-inch squares. Refrigerate until firm.