TIP OF THE DAY: Stenciled Cheese For Holidays (St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas…)

Add a little luck of the Irish to cheese and other foods, by creating a shamrock garnish made of herbs. You can apply the same technique to other themes: Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day hearts, stars for Christmas, Independence Day and New Year’s, pumpkins for Halloween, and so forth. You also can use edible glitter,…
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Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes, Chocolate Cherry Cordials Recipe & Cherry Liqueur

George Washington never chopped down a cherry tree, but you can still celebrate his birthday (either on Presidents Day or his actual birthday, February 22nd) with something cherry. National Chocolate Cherry Day is January 3rd. Here, we have three recipes: Chocolate cherry cupcakes (follows immediately) Chocolate cherry cordials (below), and Cherry liqueur (below—you can make…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Types Of Meringue, Plus Red Wine Meringue Cookies

All meringue begins the same: with egg whites beaten with some form of sugar. But from there, pastry chefs evolved different preparation techniques to produce different results. You may think of meringue as cookies, or dessert cups that hold fruit or mousse, like vacherins or pavlovas*. It can also be made into a cake layer…
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RECIPE: Valentine Brownies

Want to bring something fun to work or school for Valentine’s Day? These strawberry brownies from Kevin Lynch of Closet Cooking can be made for any occasion. But we especially like the heart-shaped effect of halved strawberries for “love” occasions: Mother’s, Father’s, Valentine’s, anniversaries, etc. You can adapt the idea to your favorite brownie, or…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Ice Cubes For Valentine’s Day…And More Uses For The Ice Cube Tray

[1] Red and pink layered ice cubes (photos #1 and #2 © Ocean Spray). [2] Art in a glass. [3] Add some pomegranate ice cubes (here’s how from Kelly Elko). [4] Flower ice cubes: small flowers make a big impression (here’s how from Martha Stewart). [5] More ways to use an ice cube tray: save…
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