I love the word hearth, it conjures up romantic images of cottages, crackling fires and romantic heroes.

And the cake? That picture is from 1963…and I will share the story in a day or so…

Anyway, Valentines Day has become a holiday that is all about how much you spend, just like Christmas and Easter. The candy companies have convinced us that without a $20 box of chocolate our day is incomplete and we are unloved.

Is there anything more loving that homemade? I don’t think so. Here are some ideas for you, some are mine, some are from around the web. Take back the day. Simplicity is good for our budgets, our environment, but most importantly, simplicity is good for the soul.

Oh, and remember, if you are not reading this at http://bakingdelights.com, then you are reading stolen material.

1. A Chocolate Portrait. Seriously this site shows you how to do a portrait from a black and white picture in chocolate! What a great gift!

2. Decorated Cookies. I love this sugar cookie recipe. I will be making some Valentines Day cookies from it closer to Valentine’s Day. Beautiful with pink sprinkles, or glazed, or gilded with tons of royal icing flowers.

3. Chocolate & Earl Grey Terrine. This is rich, chocolaty and luscious. And sensual. Perfect with a sparkling dessert wine.

4. Melt some good chocolate and dip pretzels in it. Yum.

5.Chocolate Truffle Brownies

6. Apricot and white chocolate scones, cut in a heart shape? Or substitute dried cherries and dark chocolate!

7. Make your own truffles. It really is easy, and believe it or not you can make them as well as Godiva. I promise.

Basic Chocolate Truffles

8 oz good quality chocolate (50% cocoa, preferably higher) broken into pieces
1/2 c heavy cream

1 Tsp corn syrup

1 Tbs unsalted butter

Bring cream, butter, and corn syrup just to a simmer. Remove from heat, and add in chocolate. Do not stir but allow chocolate to soften for 3-5 minutes. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. refrigerate until set. Using a melon baller, dip out the cold ganache and roll into balls. Dip into melted chocolate or roll in cocoa.

8. You can also make tea infused truffles, Earl Grey Truffles

9. Three Cheese Fondue with Champagne. I would be impressed.

10. Chocolate Covered Cherries. Yum

Not only that…but over the next week or so I will be giving my recipe for a Romantic Valentines Day dinner, as well as some yummy chocolate covered espresso beans over on Kettle and Cup… I LOVE Valentines Day..so check both blogs …
Today is the first day of voting for the chocolate contest. You can vote for me AND register to win a matching trip yourself…just click on the link.

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