Archive for the ‘Valentine’s Day’ Category

Sweet Treat for Valentine’s Day Month: Red Velvet Cupcakes

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Valentine’s Day is a great time to give loved ones something sweet. It is a great time to give family and friends something special from your kitchen. A southern traditional favorite are red velvet cupcakes. Red velvet cupcakes have gained in recent popularity over the years.

You can actually find red velvet cake mix today to make your red velvet cupcakes if you are in a hurry – and want to turn out your cupcakes in a dash. But you can also make great red velvet cupcakes from scratch quite simply.

The best thing about red velvet cupcakes is that they look such a deep, luscious red. They are quite striking and look very one-of-a-kind amidst other baked goods. Your cupcakes will be original and different as others make cookies or brownies to celebrate this sweet day.

Try watching this video to learn how to make red velvet cupcakes:

Cooking for Valentine’s Day

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

Many have heard the popular saying that “food is love.” No more is this seen that at Valentine’s Day. On this day, we celebrate our love for that special someone. If you are a cook, you’ll want to create a meal they’ll never forget. Something that shows them how much you truly care for them.

While most think instantly of cooking a romantic dinner, remember that breakfast, brunch and lunch are also great options on Valentine’s Day. You are not limited to only dinner. One of the best benefits to cooking dinner is that traditionally you can serve it by candlelight, making it more romantic. But on Valentine’s Day any meal can be made romantic with candles if you so choose.

This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday. An excellent choice for couples is to have a Valentine’s Day brunch. You can serve an indulgent meal by candlelight for your sweetie. Brunch is a meal that most people only eat occasionally. It is the perfect time to try out some new recipes. Try making a frittata or a custom made omlette. Don’t forget the classic mimosa made from freshly squeezed orange juice and champagne!

The very best Valentine’s Day meal is not a “classic” meal – but the one you feel your sweetie would appreciate the most. Everyone has a different view of what is romantic and what tastes delicious. Some might appreciate a vegetarian meal or hand-rolled sushi. Others would appreciate authentic ethnic cuisine or a traditional family recipe.

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Date With Your Wife

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

Finding the perfect Valentine’s Day date with your wife can be a challenge.  The holiday comes with a lot of expectations and making it different over time can be somewhat difficult.  Following are some ideas that will make it easier for you to find the perfect Valentine’s Day date with your wife.

One suggestion for the perfect Valentine’s Day date with your wife is to take her out to dinner at a romantic restaurant.  Skip the places that are advertising heavily for Valentine’s Day—they’re bound to be crowded and overpriced.  A much better idea is to go to a small local romantic restaurant.  You will likely get better service, a more personal experience, and if they have a nice wine list, you can show off your wine picking expertise!

Another suggestion for the perfect Valentine’s Day date with your wife is to go back to the place where your first date was, or to have brunch at the place where you got married.  This will bring back fond memories and strengthen the romantic mood.

Yet another great suggestion for the perfect Valentine’s Day date with your wife, especially if you can’t find a babysitter, is to have a romantic dinner at home.  After they’ve been tucked in, eat in the dining room with candlelight and put out the good china, crystal and silverware.  Get dressed up, and when dinner’s over, put some romantic music on the stereo and dance.  If you’re in a warm-weather climate, do the same thing but take it outside— have a picnic on the beach or outside on the patio with a view of the mountains.

Of course, the perfect Valentine’s Day date with your wife doesn’t have to revolve around food.  If you’re more active types, attending a live sporting event or music show can be a lot of fun.  Go to a romantic movie and hold hands, and then make out like you were teenagers.  Another idea for a perfect Valentine’s Day date with your wife is to go to on a day trip to a nearby city that you’ve never visited or haven’t seen in a while, and walk around exploring.  If it fits your budget, a weekend trip can also be fun.  There are lots of places that offer Valentine’s Day special weekends that include hotel packages plus some meals and some entertainment coupons.  Resort areas frequently offer these types of packages, and they can also be found in urban areas and places with gambling casinos.

Consider a couples massage package as a perfect Valentine’s Day date with your wife.  Many spas offer tandem massages (you’re in the same room together during the treatment) along with some other perks like a private Jacuzzi area and a light meal afterwards.  Sometimes they have full days of treatment, which combine massages with facials, hot stones, body wraps, or waxings.