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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In The Mood For Love

Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts To Give & To Get

In this second Valentine's post, let's concentrate on the gift of romance. Get to his heart by way of his stomach and chocolate fondue. Plan a romantic getaway with the help of Luxe City Guides. Or have a quiet night in that might involve sheepskin and a rose scented massage candle. Here's inspiration for your own funny little valentine.

HERE: 12 Ways To Woo

Juniper Books Love Poem Book Set
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. If you can't find your own words, leave it to the pros. "The set consists of poems and letters from the works of John Donne, Christina Rossetti, W.H. Auden, E.E. Cummings, William Shakespeare, W.B. Yeats, and other amorists. Includes: Love Poems, Love Letters, Love Songs & Sonnets, Indian Love Poems, and Sonnets from Dante to the Present."
AHALife

15% off + free U.S. shipping with code STAYIN

American Atelier Hourglass
Let her or him know that you will love them until the end of time.
Nordstrom 

Pillowcase Set
Always a good idea!
Etsy 

Staub Mini Chocolate Fondue Set
Melt me some chocolate and you melt my heart. You, too? If so, this set will set the stage for a romantic night at home.
Food52  

Kate Spade New York Assorted 
Magnet Set
Get the conversation going with a compliment or positive message. A little word play is 
always romantic.
Paper Source

Date Night In
More than 120 recipes to nourish your relationship. The perfect date night at home begins with this book. Find recipes for romantic dinners like Dulce de Leche and Nectarine Creamsicles, Tomato and Fennel Gazpacho with Dungeness Crab and so much more.
Amazon

Succulent Sweetheart
Roses fade and wisteria wilts. Think outside of the vase and give your guy or girl with a gift from the greenhouse. Found only at
Shop Terrain

Custom Fragrance
New Yorkers can create their own perfume, or even better, you can create one for her. The magic happens under the guidance of Alchemologie Natural Perfumes owner Julianne Zaleta. This fun journey is a step by step process that results in a fragrance and experience that is uniquely her own.

IfOnly

Black Sheep (White Light) Natural Spotted Icelandic Sheepskin

Use your imagination.

The Line

Plan An Adventure
Pre-plan a little romantic getaway and announce it with these luggage tags and passport holders. It doesn't even have to be a big trip. The fact that you thought of this is romantic enough. 
Anthropologie 

Oskia Rose De Mai Massage Candle
A romantic gift for two. This chic candle is faintly but perfectly scented with pure Rose De Mai oil, and becomes a luxe treatment for skin. The low burning point of Coconut oil makes sure that the candle burns warm and never hot. The candle is packed with skin smoothing omega oils, vitamins, and minerals. This is a romantic indulgence for two.
Goop

LUXE CITY GUIDES 

Romantic Getaways Gift Box

This set will take you on a romantic getaway around the world. It is packed with five curated books with recommendations for Paris's best eateries, private visits in Rome, hand picked personal shoppers in NYC, routes to London's hidden clubs and bars, and Barcelona's Catalan cuisine. It will be fun to plan a getaway together. Only at 

Net-A- Porter

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In The Mood For Love 

Hints For Him - V-Day Gifts For Her

(Via Sunny Gu)

Let's see, flowers or shoes. Can't we have both? In the depths of, Winter, it is nice to have a reason to celebrate. You don't need to be in a relationship to partake in this lovely but Hallmark holiday. We all love somebody. This post is for the special women in your life. Think outside the candy box and find intelligent fragrance, cozy cashmere, butterflies and bows.

HERE: 12 Ways To Win Her Heart

Double Breasted Trench

Every girl is pretty in pink. This coat is chic, classic and super affordable.
Charming Charlie

Cosabella Thong Set

Think outside the box of chocolate! If she is a person that wears a thong, these are super comfy and oh so pretty. Best yet,  there isn't an ounce of fat or calories included.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Kate Spade New York Tiny Metro Bow Watch

Luxe and lovely in red leather. This terrific timepiece is be-bowed in the best of ways.

Nordstrom

Candy Hearts Pillow

A pretty little pillow that says it all. Such a fun gift for girls of all ages. Very coed chic.

Nordstrom

Bradley Theodore Hinge Bracelet

 A collaboration with renowned street artist Bradley Theodore. It's bombastically beautiful and a limited edition, just like she is.

Alexis Bittar

Nila Anthony Wild West Suede Bag

A red hot little bag with an even smaller price tag. Perfect for wearing crossbody style over winder coats and sweaters.

Nasty Gal

Cashmere Robe

There is something about gifting cashmere that just says "you're worth it." Sophisticated in gorgeous grey or a beautiful burgundy.

Bare Necessities

Ben's Garden Love Always Crystal Paperweight

A picture says a thousand words. Cupid's arrow does the talking.

Zhush

Wildfox "Let's Spend" Sweet Dreams Sleep Shirt

Trust me guys, most girls would prefer some like this than the "other" type of lingerie. A little Rolling Stones in the background might be fun, too.

Shopbop

Keith Haring Clarisonic Mia 2

Give the gift of beautiful complexion. This set is where good skin begins. It is a fabulous cleansing tool that she will use every day of her life.
Nordstrom

Escentric Molecules

Volume 1: Intelligence & Fantasy

Celebrate her intelligence and creativity. Tell her that you love all of her - her mind, body and soul. This fragrance reflects how women themselves feel about their own femininity. What a brilliant idea! Quite swoon worthy, no?

Barney's New York

Belmacz - Puff Puff 

These are just too much fun. A playful pick from him to her, and perfect for your BFF. Now on sale, too.

Beauty Habit

Go Ahead And Give Him A Hint. 
I'll never tell.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

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