The History Of Jelly Beans For National Jelly Bean Day

[1] Jelly beans are mostly sugar. No wonder they are so popular! (photo by River Soma | © THE NIBBLE). [2] Today, jelly beans are associated with kids’ Easter candy. But they’re fun year-round; and were President Ronald Regan’s favorite candy (photo © Williams Sonoma). [3] Jelly beans became associated with Easter because of their…
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MOTHER’S DAY: Beautiful Chocolate

Hearts and flowers: Beautiful hand-paintedchocolates from Anna Shea, available atTheNibbleGourmetMarket.com.   Mother’s Day? It isn’t even Easter yet. True, but Mother’s Day falls a scant two weeks after Easter. You need a gift strategy. As far as gourmet chocolate goes, Anna Shea creates chocolate “haute couture”: beautiful, artisan-crafted and hand-decorated chocolate designs. This may be…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Crafts Easter Basket

This lovely “nest” basket from Williams-Sonoma is crafted out of oak moss, lavender, pink globes, white ammobium and oregano. It’s filled with 24 “robin’s eggs” that have champagne, amaretto and kirsch-flavored chocolate centers. It makes a charming centerpiece, not just for Easter but year-round. If you can’t get to a Williams-Sonoma store, head to your…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Make Hot Cross Buns For Easter

Hot cross buns: an Easter tradition. Photocourtesy Amy’s Bread.   Hot cross buns are sweet yeast buns made with raisins or currants and decorated with a cross. The cross was originally made with knife cuts in the dough; today it’s piped or spooned on with icing. The cross symbolizes the Crucifixion, and the buns are…
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Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Or Raspberry Rhubarb Pie With A Lattice Crust

Spring is rhubarb season. Fresh rhubarb is available for just three months a year, so do something special with it. A few ideas: Stewed rhubarb or rhubarb compote, delicious as a side with ham, pork and poultry Rhubarb ice cream Rhubarb tarts, crisps and other baked goods (substitute rhubarb for apples or pears in your…
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