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Valentine’s Day

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The 100 most romantic restaurants in America, according to OpenTable users

The 100 most romantic restaurants in America, according to OpenTable users

Love is in the air — and so is the smell of delicious food! OpenTable, a popular restaurant reservation app, released its annual user-generated list of the 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America, and the people have spoken. Overall, the list includes many quiet neighborhood favorites — not just fancy steakhouses with fussy over-priced menus. No matter where you dine around the country, people seem to most enjoy dining with loved ones where the food is good and the price is reasonable. That said, a lot of steakhouses did make the cut — four more this year than last year. With keto being the nation’s trendiest diet, perhaps it makes sense. Ohio takes top honors with nine romantic restaurants on the list. Texas has a respectable eight honorees. North Carolina and Virginia each boast seven and Pennsylvania rounds out the top five with six nominated restaurants. New York, Colorado, California,…

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Seasonal

How to perfectly melt chocolate

Melting Chocolate On The Stove

Chocolate-dipped Oreos, chocolate-covered strawberries, cake decorations — lots of desserts call for perfectly smooth and melted chocolate. But melting chocolate can be intimidating. One wrong step and you’re left with a sticky mess and a burnt pan. However, with just a few simple tips, you can master the art of chocolate melting. Also see, Chocolate Scenes From Your Favorite Movies.  Melting chocolate on the stovetop Melting chocolate on the stovetop is the best method. A double boiler will give you the best temperature control. Rather than putting delicate chocolate in contact with direct heat, the steam rising up from the boiling water gently melts the chocolate. To create a double boiler: Bring a medium pot (filled about half way) with water to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl on top of the pot. The bowl should be large enough to sit on top of the pot without touching the bottom or…

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Seasonal

Restaurants offering free food and deals on Valentine’s Day

Restaurants offering free food and deals on Valentine's Day

Whether Valentine’s Day is a cheerful day for you and your beloved or a day to skip over and celebrate your singleness, everyone loves free food. This year, several restaurants and fast food chains are offering freebies or discounts in honor of the Hallmark holiday. From freebies to heart-shaped snacks, here are some restaurants we’ve rounded up that are spreading the love this holiday. Auntie Anne’s Love can be a little sweet and salty. That’s why a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s is a perfect choice. Get their BOGO free deal on any heart-shaped original or cinnamon sugar pretzel. Participation may vary, so call ahead to be sure. Buca di Beppo’s Valentine’s Day diners can order the “Classic Love Package,” and be delighted with a heart-shaped lasagne, small garlic bread, mixed green or caesar salad, and a mini chocolate chip cannoli for dessert. The deal is offered for just $49.99. Carrabba’s…

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Seasonal

Fall in love with these 5 Easy Valentine’s Day snack ideas

Fall in love with these 5 Easy Valentine's Day snack ideas - Caprese salad

Can you believe Valentine’s Day is right around the corner? Whether you’re looking for a healthy treat that’s classroom ready or something sweet to snack on with your S.O., here are 5 easy Valentine’s Day snacks to share with your loves this Feb. 14. Crush-worthy clementines Just cut your clementine sections at an angle and skewer two together to make cupids bow. Tomato togetherness Cut your cherry tomatoes at an angle about 1/3 of the way down. Then cut the larger piece in half, longways. Skewer the two sides together to make a terrific tasting tomato heart. Sentimental Cinnamon rolls Open a can of cinnamon rolls. Carefully uncoil one cinnamon roll at a time and reform into a heart. Bake at temperature packaging suggests, but notice the time will have to be cut. Hearts are typically ready in about 5 minutes less that packaging suggests. Partial to Pizza Roll out pizza…

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Here is the most popular Valentine’s Day candy in every state

Here is the most popular Valentine's Day candy in every state

Valentine’s Day is a holiday dedicated to love, romance, and of course, candy. The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend about $1.8 billion on candy this year as part of their Feb. 14 celebrations. As far as holiday indulgences go, candy is relatively inexpensive, so for couples looking to not break the bank, exchanging favorite sweets is a popular activity. Candy isn’t just for couples, however — 42% of people said they would buy themselves a box of chocolates this year. It’s clear that everyone loves candy, but where you live is likely to influence what you buy and give. Using sales data from the past 11 years, bulk candy company CandyStore.com determined each state’s favorite candy. Here’s what people are ordering where you’re from: Source: CandyStore.com. Alabama: Candy necklaces Alaska: Heart-shaped box of chocolates Arizona: Conversation hearts Arkansas: Hershey Kisses California: Conversation hearts Colorado: Conversation hearts Connecticut:…

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Seasonal

The 8 most romantic food scenes from movies

The 8 most romantic food scenes from moviesDisney

Whether you’re happily married, spending time with a special someone, or actively avoiding the dating pool, we can all appreciate a perfect cinematic moment that restores your faith in love — and bonus points for including food, because, well, we might just love food more than people. Is there anyone that wasn’t rooting for Colin Firth in Bridget Jones’ Diary or wouldn’t splurge on a $5 milkshake after Pulp Fiction? From saucy to sexy, check out these flicks for a big old dose of the feels with food. Lady and the Tramp The 1955 classic has taught a lot of kids this super slick spaghetti move. https://youtu.be/1nWNXO3CZkU Pretty Woman Love is greater than table manners for Richard Gere. https://youtu.be/Tm80K0JuQds Annie Hall They could have gotten steaks, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as hilarious or lovable. https://youtu.be/iLBL-XeNrRI Pulp Fiction Sharing straws is a sure sign of love. https://youtu.be/zoJAc_aSM7E Like Water for chocolate It’s THAT good.…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Chocolate raspberry thumbprints to love

Chocolate raspberry thumbprints to love2

Raspberry and chocolate. Need I say more? This classic combo is easy to love on Valentine’s Day or anytime you want to treat yourself — or someone else! — to something special. I wanted a quick cookie that could ship easily to those I love overseas and across country. With protection of a cookie tin and a few layers of wax paper to separate, these did the job beautifully — thanks for the idea Saving Room for Dessert.  Chocolate raspberry thumbprints Ingredients 2 cups flour, leveled 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp salt 1 cup sugar 2 sticks butter (1 cup), room temperature 1 egg yolk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup raspberry jam, stirred (seeded or unseeded) Optional: 2 tbsp milk Optional: crushed pistachios, Directions In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside. In a stand mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Pink, raspberry crepes perfect for Valentine’s Day, every day

Guys, listen up. If you’re going to serve breakfast in bed on Valentine’s Day, it should definitely be these pink, raspberry crepes. They’re sweet and delicious, and definitely photogenic — think: mad props for your efforts posted on her Instagram account. With just a few ingredients on the list, they’re way less difficult to pull off than they appear. Plus, you can fill with any of her favorite fruits, or drizzle with warm chocolate sauce to really heat up the holiday of love. *It helps to have a crepe maker, but any non-stick pan or griddle will work.  Simple Raspberry crepes Crepe Ingredients 1 cup flour 1 tbsp. sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cups milk 4 eggs 3 tbsp. melted butter 5-6 drops red food coloring, (Add more if you like a darker pink or red crepe) 1-2 cups fresh raspberries, rinsed Whipped Creme Ingredients 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 2-3…

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A519 chocolatier brings sweet passion to Pittsburgh

A519 chocolatier brings sweet passion to Pittsburgh

If February stands for anything, it’s love, passion and chocolate. Those three things are also what happened to inspire A519 Chocolate owner, Amanda Wright leave her gig as a research assistant studying adolescent brain development at the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a new career. While Wright enjoyed her previous job, it wasn’t necessarily her passion. “I had this dread of not doing exactly what I wanted to do and having to follow other people’s rules and schedules,” she said. So Wright signed up for Napa Valley’s Culinary Institute of America in San Diego, and she and her husband, Andy Rape, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University in biomedical engineering, made a cross-country move. It was at this school on the West Coast that she would find the next love of her life — chocolate. “I just love how nostalgic and how romantic it is. It brings you back to being a kid,” she says of chocolate. “My eyes just…

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14 things you should cover in chocolate for Valentine’s Day

14 things you should cover in chocolate for Valentine's Day

Chocolate covered strawberries are incredible, but most things tastes delicious when smothered in a layer of smooth, warm, chocolate. Why not expand your skills this year, and try something new? Here are 14 new ideas for that pot of tempered, melty fudge. Marshmallow pops To get to that delicious, chewy marshmallow you must first break through a layer of sweet, melty fudge first. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/553520610438069437/ Banana split bites Most fruits can be a perfect companion to luscious chocolate. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/202591683215403774/ Chocolate and bacon covered pretzels A way to his heart… https://www.pinterest.com/pin/206602701631196610/ Chocolate covered apple slices Be sure to use good, firm apples for best results. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302585668692928251/ Chocolate covered cookie dough balls Imagine receiving a heart-shaped box of these beauties. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/108790147222673563/ Chocolate covered potato chips Sweet and salty is always a good combo. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/13370130119218641/ Chocolate covered jalApeños Raise the heat this Valentine’s Day with these chocolate covered jalapeños. Spicy and smooth are an excellent…

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