TIP OF THE DAY: Unconventional Valentine Treats

You don’t have to give chocolate or cupcakes on Valentine’s Day. In fact, some people may prefer a less conventional gift. Think outside the [chocolate] box. As a smaller gift to bring to pals at the office, we particularly like red berry jam. You can go for a pricey artisan brand, or look for an…
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FOOD FUN: Valentine Crackers

Fun to make, fun to eat. Photo courtesy Stacy’s Snacks.   Here are two fun ways to snack on Valentine’s Day. First the sweet: a fun idea from Stacy’s Pita Chips, delicious with a snack, coffee/tea break or for dessert with ice cream. RECIPE: VALENTINE PITA CHIPS Ingredients Stacy’s Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips Chocolate chips…
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VALENTINE GIFTS: Chocolate Lips, Macarons In Red

You can actually reuse the “clutch” packaging as a fun evening bag. Photo by Faith Tomases | THE NIBBLE.   We love gifts with “keeper” boxes. We always find ways to repurpose the boxes, which continue to remind us of the gift and the giver. Pâtissier François Payard has chosen beautiful packaging for his Valentine…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Make A Valentine Cocktail

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a romantic interest, friends or family, make the occasion special with a Valentine cocktail. What makes a “Valentine” cocktail? Color—a shade of pink, rose or red. If you want a Champagne cocktail, garnish it with “Champagne grapes” (they’re actually Zante currants), a red berry or an edible flower. And…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Get A Heart-Shaped Cheese

Coeur de Bray, a heart-shaped Neufchâtel cheese. Photo courtesy Murray’s Cheese.   Different heart-shaped cheeses appear at this time of year, especially goat cheeses. But the first heart-shaped cheese, created in the 14th century, was Neufchâtel (NU-shah-tell), a soft-riped cow’s milk cheese with a white rind. Note that French Neufchâtel is different from the American…
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