For The Love Of Food: Romantic Recipes & Cook's Tools

{ Via: Carolyne Roehm }

However you are celebrating the most romantic day of the year, these food and cocktail recipes are easy to fall in love with. Start the day with breakfast in bed and Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes. Enjoy a pre dinner kiss with a little Love Potion #9 cocktail complete with dry ice. And who could resist a Cabernet Chocolate Latte, to end the day on a sweet and creamy note? It's all so lover-ly!

HERE: 21 Recipes To Love

Love Potion #9 Martini
How cute is this cocktail? The magic is in the dry ice. There might be time for a little romance, as you must wait 5 - 10 minutes for the
 dry ice to dissolve!
The Cookie Rookie 

Breakfast: Strawberry Cheesecake Flapjacks
Why not start the day off in a romantic way? Or in the case of my household, breakfast for dinner is always a winning idea.
Good Housekeeping 

Rose Lemon Spritzer
There's no better aphrodisiac than the perfect Apéritif. This recipe could be it, roses and all. Rosewater adds a subtle flavor that is floral. Blood orange or pomegranate juice adds the soft pink color.  Vodka is for your Valentine. You can get the rosewater HERE. 
The beautiful recipe is from
Half Baked Harvest   

French Cookware
There's plenty to love at the Le Creuset Valentine's Day shop. Imagine serving your stew in a heart Cocoette, or dipping strawberries in a chocolate heart shaped fondue pot. Find the perfect accessory for your Valentine dinner!
Le Creuset 

Appetizer: Roasted Beet Hummus
I have never made my own hummus, but with a recipe this gorgeous, it may be 
worth the effort.
Le Passe Vite 

Grilled Oysters With Proscuitto & Mignonette
You know what they say about Oysters! Serve me this, and I'm yours. This fabulous recipe is from Michael Chiarello's Live Fire book which you can buy HERE. Recipe can be found at
Adventures In Cooking

Strawberry Ladyfinger Icebox Cake
If you want to impress your Valentine, make this. I mean, who doesn't love Mascarpone Cheese, Strawberries, and Whipped Cream?
Taste Of Home

Spaghetti With Crab
This meal would not make me crabby! Thank goodness that it calls for a cup of parsley because it also calls for 8 cloves of garlic. 
Gourmet Traveller  

Five Ingredient Raspberry 
Marble Fudge
The combo of white chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate fudge with swirls of raspberry puree is delicious. This recipe only takes 10 minutes.
Sugar and Charm 

Wild Jonah Crab Claws
No time to cook? Or maybe you just want to send a little love across the miles. This delicacy comes pre cooked, scored, and frozen. These would put me in a romantic mood. 
How about you?
Dean and Deluca

Pappardelle Pasta Two Ways
Truth be known, I have never made homemade pasta, but it looks fun to do. And how nice would it be to create something without the preservatives that your normal box has in it? This dough is tinted with beet puree giving it that naturally pink color.
A Beautiful Plate  

Imperia Pasta Machine
A great gift for the cook or pasta lover! Sold exclusively at 
Williams-Sonoma

Valentine's Day Pink & Red Salad
Oh how lovely! "Here, the familiar rich red and pink tones of the holiday come through from the vegetables, which get an exotic deep purple background of black rice plus a snowy-white dab of goat cheese."
Foodnetwork  

Table for Two
Cooking and Entertaining For You and Your +1
A beautiful book to celebrate romance at home. My friend, Marc, sets the scene for kitchen island soirees, breakfast in bed, or a just a casual catch up for you and your significant other. There are useful guides, inspired stories, and terrific tablescapes that all feature fresh ingredients and fabulous flavors. Purchase a hand signed book by Marc HERE or if you prefer, Amazon also carries the book, not autographed.

Filet Mignon with Porcini Mushroom Compound Butter
For some, like my friend, Sharon, a filet is the perfect entree. Simple and delicious. Then there are those like myself that think there is something lacking in flavor in the filet. Oh I know! It's lacking the fat content. This recipe adds the fat and then some. Looks divine!
Foodie Crush

Cacio e Pepe Soufflé
I love the simplicity of this dish. It is sturdier than most Soufflés with oodles of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. A stylish side dish. Yum!
Food and Wine 

Goat Cheese Mousse with Red-Wine Caramel
A dish that is both sweet and savory can serve two purposes. This creative recipe can be used as an appetizer or as an after dinner cheese course. Any way you serve it, this culinary creation will be unexpected.
Food and Wine

Caramel Pot De Creme
A simple three ingredient Valentine’s dessert that will knock your socks off.
Bakers Royale  

Valentine's Day Cocktails
My Instagram friend, Kara, has created the cutest cocktail ever for Valentine's Day. She styles the prettiest parties. The flutes are rimmed with raw agave sugar, and then dipped again into pomegranate sugar rimmer. Sugarfina's Hot Lips Candies were stacked on a stylish bamboo pick for
the perfect added touch!
Style Meets Soiree  

Blackberry No-Bake Cheesecake

Loving this recipe because you can make it the day before. Why get heated up before the romantic dinner?

Cooking Melangery

Cabernet Chocolate Lattes
And to top the evening off, something warm and creamy! The perfect nightcap to a 
romantic day.
How Sweet Eats



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Love At First Bite: Chocolate & Champagne Recipes

{ Via: Ooh La Frou Frou }

It's no secret. Two of my favorite things are champagne and chocolate. Throw in some lobster, and you have my perfect meal.  In honor of romance and all things sweet and seductive, I've put together some special recipes for Valentine's Day and beyond. Do scroll down. I promise you it will be love at first bite.

HERE: 16  Tempting Treats 

Chocolate Molten Lava Cake
There's nothing better than warm gooey chocolate to me. This recipe is easy and picture perfect! If you would rather, Stonewall Kitchen makes a good boxed mix.
Oh Sweet Day 

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Ice Cream Cake
All I can say is OMG! The ice cream is made from sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream and cream cheese. Decadent!
Brownie Bites  

Raspberry Pink Champagne Floats
Raspberry Sorbet is the magic ingredient in this chic cocktail.
The Cookie Rookie 

Strawberries And Champagne Galette With Chocolate Crust.
Isn't this a beauty? The good thing about galettes, is that they don't have to be perfect. It's just a free form tart. Buy yourself a pink rose to decorate this delicious dish.
A Beautiful Mess  

Chocolate Clafoutis
This is a sexy and decidedly smooth and chocolatey dessert. It's Chef Daniel Boulud recipe, so it has to be good.
Elle Decor   

Red Velvet Molten Lava Cake
Oh My! I do love a good Red Velvet Cake. Who needs cream cheese frosting when you can have a warm gooey center?
Spache The Spatula  

No Bake Chocolate Oreo Tart

With only five ingredients ( all yummy ) and no baking, this recipe really is very easy.  Williams Sonoma has the perfect tart pan for less than $20.  See the recipe at

La Receta de la Felicidad  

Strawberry Champagne Floats

Here's a cocktail recipe that also doubles as dessert. It just may also be the prettiest cocktail I have ever seen.

Salty Canary 

Valentine's Surprise Chocolate High Hat Cupcakes

This cupcake is mile high and nothing could look better to me. I am going to leave the surprise to you. Click the link to see what's inside.

Half Baked Harvest  

White Chocolate Strawberries & Champagne Crepes
Sweet vanilla crepes are spiked with champagne! Make extra white chocolate mousse, as it is said to be decadent. Then there is even more champagne in the strawberries!  Looks like the ultimate Valentines Day dessert.
The Gold Lining Girl

Hot Chocolate
This is how hot chocolate should look - thick and creamy. It has some interesting ingredients. Perfect for a snowy day.
Cannella Emela

Black Forest Eton Mess
This recipe had me at wine. It calls for 1 cup of it. Throw in vanilla and strawberry meringue, heavy cream, cherries and brownies, and you have one marvelous mess of chocolaty goodness! Sounds divine.
Bakers Royale   

White Chocolate Champagne Fondue
This is fun and festive - even the kids will love it. There really is no cooking involved.
The Seasoned Mom 

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Eclairs
I have to admit, I have never attempted to make an eclair. Mostly because I don't care for the normal bakery type. These look fabulous though. In fact they are picture perfect for Valentine's Day and beyond!
Love and Olive Oil 

Chocolate Espresso Martini
I'm not a martini drinker or a coffee drinker. I did, however have one of these once, and I thought it was delicious. The chocolate and Kahula disguised both the vodka and the coffee flavor. Loved it! Recipe by Giada De Laurentiis.
Food Network  

Chocolate Donuts With Strawberry Champagne Glaze
Say good morning to your Valentine with this twist on chocolate covered strawberries. The best news is that these are baked. The leftover champagne? Sip it by the fire while the donuts are in the oven.
Boxwood Avenue 

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Stylish Dessert Recipes & Cooks Tools

Foodie Friday: For The Love Of Chocolate

Well, it's here, Valentine's Day Weekend. It's the perfect time to share some love. For those of you who love chocolate, like I do, this is my gift to you. 

HERE: Seventeen Sinful Recipes

Thomas Keller Chocolate Souffle
What could be more romantic than someone baking a souffle for you? I went to the best for a souffle. Thomas Keller's recipe will not disappoint. 
Seasons and Suppers

Looking for an stainless steel ramekin like presented above? You can find one HERE

Ooh- Dessert Dreamy: S’mores Cake

If you enjoy your sweet treats tall and gooey, this is the cake for you...and me!

Zsa Zsa Bellagio

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Ice Cream 
{ Vegan and Gluten Free }
Made with Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream and Beet Sugar, this recipe has a chance at being almost guilt free. Sweet and salty always works.
Heather Christo

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes
Picture perfect for your Valentine. That Raspberry Buttercream frosting will melt hearts!
Cooking Classy

Chocolate Coconut Meringue Pie
Just look at those snowy clouds of espresso-flavoured Italian meringue! I love that it isn't browned, but of course one could do that with a kitchen torch.
Gourmet Traveller

Strawberry Sweethearts Cocoa
With the bitter cold setting in over a good part of the nation, now is the perfect time for a mug of cocoa. I have searched high and low for a chic cocoa recipe that is Valentine's Day worthy. This is it. 
Two Peas and Their Pod

Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Macaron Cake 
I say, if you are going to do it, go big! This cake looks like it would be so worth the calories. That frosting! Click to drool over the yummy ingredients.
Half Baked Harvest

Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse
An impressive and decadent dessert that is super easy to make ahead of time. 
Alaska From Scratch

Gingerbread Surprise Beignets With Spiced Mocha Hot Chocolate
I may be the only person on earth that has not had a beignet before. Now that I have found this recipe, that will end soon. OMG! These look fabulous.
Half Baked Harvest

Spotted Cow Brownies
Everyone loves a brownie, but they usually aren't wonderful to look at. These are just too much fun!
Delish

Chocolate Cookie Crunch Trifle
Cooking for a crowd? Here's your dessert. It's decadent but approachable. Even the kids will love it.
Food and Wine

Nutella and Chocolate-Covered Strawberries 
Chocolate covered strawberries are always special. Add Nutella and they become divine!
Glitter Inc.

Chocolate Cake Tiramisu with Chocolate Sabayon
This gorgeous dessert, a recipe of Giada De Laurentiis, begins with a boxed cake mix.  No one will care with all of that zabaglione and marscapone!
Williams-Sonoma

Red Wine Chocolate Cake
The addition of red wine makes this a super moist cake. The filling? Raspberry Buttercream. To die!
Life Love and Sugar

Cocoa Dusted Chocolate Bombe
Looks like that famous "French Silk" pie to me.
Epicurious

Healthy Chocolate Orange Brownies
{ Gluten Free }
What makes these beautiful brownies so healthy? There's no added sugar, they are made with almond milk and carob chips. Even so, they look absolutely moist and gooey.
A Beautiful Mess

Mississippi Mud Pie
Traditional 3 Layer Mississippi Mud Pie - Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Pudding, & Whipped Cream in a Chocolate Cookie Crust. Is there anything not to like?
Food52

What To Do In Chicago This Weekend

Come join my friend, Marc Sievers, for an afternoon of fun, laughter, and love at Williams-Sonoma Lincoln Park (Chicago) as he kicks off 2016 with his first book signing and cooking demonstration on Saturday, February 13 at 1:00pm!
Click HERE for details



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