Make Your Own Chocolate Treats for Love Day

Valentine’s Day is almost here and if you haven’t been to the store to pick out that special something for your sweetie, you might want to reconsider. I just got back from the mall, and frankly, I wouldn’t go back if you paid me money. I say spare yourself the drama and headache of battling pre-Valentine’s Day crowds and head to the kitchen to whip up these simple, sweet homemade treats: CHOCOLATE MOCHA CAKE Ingredients: 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup butter 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup strong freshly brewed coffee 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons water … Continue reading

Recipes for Valentine’s Day Brunch

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday. That’s great news for those who enjoy leisurely weekend brunches. Those who choose to eat out on Valentine’s Day are sure to be treated to some extra sweet offerings. Meanwhile, those who prefer to cook up their own Love Day brunch dishes will be treated to extra time that they wouldn’t have if Valentine’s Day fell on a weekday. If you plan to surprise your sweetheart with a homemade Valentine’s Day brunch, then consider adding these special dishes to the menu: BACON AND SPINACH BISCUIT QUICHE Ingredients: 8-ounce package light cream cheese … Continue reading

Super Sweet Valentine’s Day Treats

They’re deliciously sweet, but surprisingly, they don’t include a single piece of chocolate. And so continues my non-traditional, non-chocolate Valentine’s Day dessert offerings. Chocolate may be the king of Love Day treats, but it’s not the only sweet option available. If you are looking for a unique dessert to serve up to your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, then consider these yummy coconut creations: COCONUT PUDDING DESSERT Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 3/4 cup butter 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 (12 ounce) container Cool Whip, … Continue reading

Fruity Valentine’s Day Desserts

When you think of traditional Valentine’s Day desserts, chocolate is usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, in my family, Love Day is always celebrated with fruit (and a little chocolate). My mother is a huge fan of fresh fruit and would typically serve fruit tarts to us on Valentine’s Day. I started doing the same when I became a mother, and to this day, my daughter would prefer to devour a bowl of fresh strawberries than chocolate pudding. If you have fruit lovers in your family, then consider making the following dishes to serve with love this … Continue reading

Sexy Valentine’s Day Recipes

Raw oysters, caviar and chocolate are classic aphrodisiacs, but what about artichokes and other seafood? Apparently, scallops and artichokes also have mood-enhancing properties and are highly recommended eats on Valentine’s Day. (At least according to the “food experts” I consulted for this piece.) Just in time for Love Day, the following sexy treats should help spice up your dinner plans. If you really want to heat things up during mealtime, I would suggest indulging in these dishes sans utensils. Instead, use your fingers to feed the Artichoke Pizza to your sweetie. After all, fewer utensils to wash means more time … Continue reading

Love Between Courses—More Romantic Valentine’s Day Recipes

If your Valentine’s Day plans include an intimate candlelit dinner for two—-in your own dining room–then this is the blog for you. With the economy in the dumpster, many couples are opting to stay home this Love Day, but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on a sensuous meal. The following recipes are sure to heat things up in the kitchen. However, if the idea of sweating over a hot stove on Valentine’s Day bothers you, then invite your sweetheart into the kitchen to help you with the cooking. Keep things light by getting out your favorite beverages and … Continue reading

Three-Course Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and if you are celebrating without the kids this year you might consider the following romantic recipes. Your sweetie will fall in love with these amorous eats, and if you are lucky he (or she) will do the dishes after you’re done feeding each other. RASPBERRY SPINACH SALAD Ingredients: 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar 2 tablespoons raspberry jam 1/3 cup vegetable oil 8 cups spinach, rinsed, stemmed and torn into pieces 3/4 cup coarsely chopped Macadamia nuts or toasted almond slices 1 cup fresh raspberries 3 kiwis, peeled and sliced Directions: For the Dressing: Combine vinegar and … Continue reading

How to Make Your Own Milk Chocolate Masterpieces for Valentine’s Day

What did you ask your sweetie to get you this Valentine’s Day? Diamonds? A romantic dinner for two? A massage? Since requests aren’t always granted (depending on the particular sweetie involved), you might want to brace yourself for a bar (okay, a box) of chocolates and a pat on the back. If you are lucky, your honey will honor you with a slice of Emeril Lagasse’s Milk Chocolate Cheesecake. If you are really lucky, you won’t have to make it yourself. Either way, the recipe is provided below along with the directions for mouthwatering milk chocolate cookies sealed with a … Continue reading

Edible Red Treats for Valentine’s Day

I’m not a big fan of Red Hots. The sweet and spicy candy is a popular Valentine’s Day treat used to decorate cupcakes and cookies… in kitchens other than my own. My disdain for the cinnamon candy is incredibly evident this time of year when I am faced with making Valentine’s Day treats for my daughter’s playgroup. This year each mom is required to bring a red-colored dish to pass and someone suggested I make a dessert featuring Red Hots. No dice. Instead, I will be making Red Velvet Cupcakes from the recipe below. (I’m making adjustments to the original … Continue reading

Love is In the Air

‘Love is the air,’ with TVs, stores, magazines etc all gearing up for Valentine’s Day. Everywhere you turn hearts and flowers dominate the displays. But love is more than just a romantic notion written about by songwriters, poets, novelists and movie script writers. Love can mean different things to different people, but I read a couple of good descriptions of love in a novel I’ve been reading. One was, ‘Allowances must be made for the people we love.’ That’s what Mary Ann was talking about too in her blog about unconditional love. It doesn’t depend on what they do but … Continue reading