Sugar and Spice and Everything R-O-M-A-N-C-E

It’s that time of year! Everyone is thinking “r-o-m-a-n-c-e” even if it isn’t in a positive light. With Valentine’s Day is coming up, for many it means sharing a romantic meal with someone special. For others it means wallowing in the single life and sending nasty tweets to Hallmark. But for others it is simply another excuse to get together with friends and share a meal.

For many, the act of dining together is something to be celebrated. There’s a growing trend in home design to make kitchens larger with more gathering places like islands, built in breakfast nooks, etc. People come together over food.

Think about it—after weddings there are typically receptions with amazing spreads and cookie tables, after funerals there are lunches celebrating the life of the recently passed where loved ones share stories and pasta salad. Study groups share pizza and girlfriends share buckets of popcorn on movie night. Food is not just an energy source; it is a social element in our lives.

So this week, as you’re preparing to celebrate love or friendship with the special people in your life think about doing something simple and sweet to let them know you appreciate them. It can be as simple as picking up their favorite caffeine infused drink from the café or as involved as hosting a dinner party for your friends. Whichever route you take, know that it truly can be “the thought that counts” and don’t put too much
pressure on yourself to get everything perfect!

Need some inspiration? There are lots of websites and Facebook pages dedicated to creative meals with a Valentine theme.

Here are a few I recommend:

♥ Martha Stewart’s Valentine’s Day Recipes:
Of course Martha has a section of her site dedicated to Valentine’s Day with an emphasis on dessert!

♥ Recipes Filled With Love:
This Facebook page has TONS of user submitted ideas so you know they are relatively easy to execute!

♥ The Pampered Chef:
The Beta site provides some deliciously simple recipe ideas with a focus on chocolate!

♥ Epicurious:
Check out their Romantic Menu Planner for inspiration!

And of course I wouldn't leave you without a sweet recipe. For something fun to do with your sweetheart, friends or the kids in your life— have a sugar cookie decorating bar! Whip up a batch of these sweet treats, let them cool and then decorate with shades of red and pink frosting, different sprinkles or just powdered sugar. They will all be as unique as the person decorating them but equally delicious! Enjoy!

Need more recipe ideas? Do you have questions about cooking? Email me at diane.ferritto@gmail.com. Your question could be featured in my next post!

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Sugar Cookies
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown from The Food Network website

Prep Time: 15 min
Inactive Prep Time: 2 hr.
Cook Time: 9 min
Level: Easy
Serves: about 3 dozen-2 1/2 inch

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough

Directions
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered sugar. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking. If dough has warmed during rolling, place cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill. Cut into desired shape, place at least 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes
or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time. Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to complete cooling on wire rack. Serve as is or ice as desired. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

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