| |  | | | Sweet and simple options for V-Day Kristina Olsen
Entertainment Editor
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and for those with a special someone this time is often spent brainstorming for that extra special gift that conveys just how they feel. Thanks to card and specialty stores, plenty of options are available.
Valentine's Recipe
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Chocolate-Strawberry Chiffon Squares
One and a half cups cake flour
One and a half cups sugar, divided
One half cup cocoa
Three-fourths teaspoon baking soda
One half teaspoon salt
One cup buttermilk or sour milk
One half cup vegetable oil
Two eggs, seperated
Berry cream (recipe follows)
Fresh strawberries
Heat over to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan. In large mixer bowl, stir together flour, one cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add buttermilk, oil and egg yolks; at medium speed, beat until smooth. In seperate small mixer bowl, using clean beaters, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining half cup suger, beating until still peaks form. Gently fold egg whites into chocolatte batter. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly. Cool in pan on wire rack. Just before serving, prepare berry cream; frost top of cake. Cut into squares; garnish with strawberries. Refrigerate leftovers.
Berry Cream:
In blender or food processor, puree one cup sweetened sliced strawberries to measure half a cup. In small mixer bowl, beat one cup chilled whipping cream until stiff; gently fold in puree, one teaspoon vanilla extract and, if desired, two to three drops of red food color.
Makes 10 to 12 servings
Courtesy of Celebrate Chocolate with Hershey's
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake
One and a half cups (18) crushed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies
Three tablespoons butter, melted
Four eight-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
One-third cup flour
One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Four eggs
One tablespoon vanilla
Four one-ounce squares semi-sweet chocolate, melted
Combine crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of nine-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Combine cream cheese and flour, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk, mixing until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla. Divide batter in half. Blend chocolate into one half; pour over crust. Pour remaining batter over chocolate batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Run knife around inside of rim, cool before removing.
Glaze:
Three one-ounce squares semi-sweet chocolate
One-third cup whipping cream
Melt chocolate and whipping cream over low heat, stirring until smooth. Spread over cheesecake. Chill.
Makes 12 servings
Courtesy of Holiday Recipe Treats
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Nearly any store you encounter is sure to have you seeing red. Why not follow the cue and give your honey something red. You name it, you can probably find it in red: candy, bath products, stuffed animals, jewelry.
Some say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Find out with sweet treats like chocolate covered strawberries. Strawberries dipped in white or milk chocolate, which forms a hardened shell that is decorated, are available at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory located at bot St. Augustine outlet malls.
The Internet can be one of your best bets, thanks to search engines and thousands of sites waiting to sell you something. Searching the Internet from home or work can be a lot less time-consuming than trips to stores all over town.
For something to set the mood, try romantic music packaged and marketed just for the day of love. This year's romantic albums include Antonio Vivaldi's "Vivaldi for Valentine's: Romantic Interludes for the One You Love," "Chapin and Champagne: Set Your Mood for Romance" and "Beethoven for Your Beloved: Romantic Love Letters for Intimate Times." These can be found at several different online sites including BN.com and Amazon.com for about $10.
If you're low on cash or want to avoid a store-bought gift, try love coupons. These e-mail coupons can be used for anything from a romantic dinner to a relaxing foot rub to cuddling time. These coupons are free to send at Lovingyou.com, or you can make your own at home.
Something home baked can show you care enough to spend a little extra time. Because chocolate and strawberries are two of the traditional sweets associated with Valentine's Day, try the recipe to the right.
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