February 2012
Monday February 27, 2012
Sometimes food is a "beautiful thing" and here are a few tantalizing creations to prove it. I present to you a select group of outstanding food bloggers that are full of seductive magic in the kitchen. Skilled in the kitchen they also know how to plate a dish and take amazing photos. They paint with color, add bold or delicate touches, and create arrangements to delight. I am truly in awe!
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Friday February 24, 2012
Before this cherished month of romance comes to an end, first, we hope you enjoyed one of the most romantic days of the year with your loved one; but I always wonder...why just one day? Why not extend this romantic tradition longer?
Why not keep the flames of passion alive after Valentine's Day by spending the day with your loved one, perhaps lingering in bed all day long. I bet you will agree, one of the most romantic things you can do is to serve, or be served, breakfast in bed. You could go all out and prepare an enticing gourmet feast or you can keep it simple with home-baked muffins and coffee--trust me, either approach will be appreciated. Just the act of sharing breakfast in bed is so romantic and comfy. And, you can stay in bed for hours doing all sorts of things together: tackle the Sunday NY Times crossword puzzle, share your deepest secrets and fantasies, read poetry to each other, catch up on this year's Oscar nominated movies, listen to your favorite sexy music and of course... get ready for an afternoon of continued delight. Enjoy the day and revel in each other's company--isn't this what love and happiness is all about?
Having your Cake and Eating it Too!
While taking a day off from work might make you feel a bit guilty, shake that silly thought away as you enjoy an enticing breakfast together in bed. If you're thinking it's not healthy to indulge in any sweets, think again. The chefs at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) have teamed up with researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) to dispel the low-fat-is-healthy myth and give you
five delicious muffin-makeover recipes to serve to those you love.
Below is their reconstructed Blueberry muffin.
But wait....what's this?
HSPH research showed that low-fat diets are no better for health than moderate or high-fat diets--and for many people, may be worse. To support these findings, nutrition experts as HSPH and chefs at the CIA developed five new muffin recipes that incorporate healthy fats and whole grains, and use a lighter hand on the salt and sugar. Their goal? To "make over" the ever-present low-fat muffin, touted as a "better-for-you" choice when in fact it often has reduced amounts of heart-healthy fats, such as liquid plant oils, but boasts plenty of harmful carbohydrates in the form of white flour and sugar.
Take a regular blueberry muffin from a national coffee shop, for example. It has 450 calories on average and most of those calories come from carbohydrates from white flour and sugar. However, now that national chains have eliminated trans fats, a regular muffin does have heart-healthy fat, usually from soybean or canola oil. A low-fat muffin still has about the same amount of calories, but contains more carbohydrates and sugar and about 60% more sodium than a regular muffin.
The new made-over Blueberry Muffin recipe below is less than half the size of a coffee shop muffin and contains just 130 calories. It is made with a mixture of whole wheat and white and almond flour, and uses canola oil, a healthy fat.
"There are so many ingredients available to home bakers who want to offer their families healthful, flavorful baked goods," says CIA Chef Richard Coppedge, Jr. "The five recipes not only include a wide variety of whole grain and nut flours; they also demonstrate how more unusual ingredients like canned chickpeas and extra virgin olive oil can be used in baking."
Show the ones you love how much you care. Bake up a batch of delicious "made-over" muffins, sure to become favorites, and let them indulge in a more healthful way.
Blueberry Muffins
Makes 18 muffins
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 eggs, large
- 1 1/4 cups low-fat (1%) buttermilk
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
- Place the rack in the top third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest. Add the fresh blueberries and toss gently to coat the blueberries in flour. This will help keep the blueberries suspended in the batter instead of falling to the bottom.
- In a medium mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs, then whisk in the buttermilk, brown sugar, canola oil, orange juice, and vanilla. Don't be concerned if the mixture looks curdled or lumpy.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until most of the flour is incorporated. The mixture can be slightly lumpy; don't over-mix. Divide the batter among the 18 prepared muffin cups.
- Bake 12 to 14 minutes, until the muffins are golden brown around the edges.
Nutrition analysis per 6-ounce ounce: 270 calories, 12g protein, 5g carbohydrate, 21g fat, 1,050mg sodium, 50mg cholesterol, 2g fiber.
See also the recipes for Cranberry Orange Muffins, Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Muffins, Lemon Chickpea Breakfast Muffins, and Whole Wheat Banana Nut Muffins.
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Posted by terry dagrosa at 11:11AM on February 24 in
Valentine's Day,
breakfast / brunch /
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Tuesday February 21, 2012
Sometimes simpler is better and this recipe proves it. Your taste buds will agree as you relish the peppery flavor of arugula combined with the sweetness of fresh pink grapefruit and the seductive taste and texture of shrimp. With three key ingredients, it doesn't get much easier than this, although peeling the grapefruit may be a bit time consuming for some.
For the best flavor cook shrimp with the shells on and peel just before serving leaving the tails intact. Shrimp can be sauteed in a skillet (with or without additional flavoring such as red pepper flakes and/or minced garlic), or grilled. In either case be sure to cook them over medium-high heat and quickly to optimize its subtle sweet flavor. Shrimp are cooked when they turn pink, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Be sure not to overcook or they will became too firm and rubbery.
Arugula Grapefruit and Shrimp SaladServes 4 as an appetizer or side dish, 2 as a main course
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (to cook the shrimp)
- 1 pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 cups of baby arugula, washed and stems trimmed
- 1 medium to large grapefruit, peeled and membrane removed, but in half or thirds depending upon size
- 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (for salad)
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp (8 - 10 pieces)
- sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Directions
- In a skillet, add the olive oil, pepper flakes and a dash of sea salt, let sit for 10 minute
- While the flavors are infusing the olive oil, begin peeling the grapefruit. You can also do this anytime and store grapefruit sections in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Place the arugula and grapefruit in a large bowl, add extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to evenly coat and set aside. You won't need vinegar or lemon juice as the grapefruit is sweet / acidic and will complement the olive oil perfectly.
- Turn up the heat to medium-high; when the oil is hot add the shrimp and cook until pink and no longer translucent - about 3-5 minutes on each side. Scrape the juices from the pan with a spatula, tossing the shrimp to coat in whatever is left of the seasoned oil.
- Place the salad in a serving bowl or individual plates. Add shrimp and serve immediately with a glass of chilled white wine. Enjoy!
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Posted by terry dagrosa at 11:11AM on February 21 in
main dishes: shellfish,
salads,
vegetarian /
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Friday February 17, 2012
By Kate Collinson
Tuscany is one of those tourist destinations that never disappoints. Very Seductive. Very Romantic. And a great idea for a trip for two. The artistic legacy, the breathtaking hills, the food and the wine - if you're the long, lazy lunch type of traveler, you might never want to leave! After spending a few days exploring the cobbled streets of Florence, rent a car and drive out to the small country towns, and look to stay in a villa. A villa is the perfect base from which you can take day trips to different Tuscan towns...and perhaps try your hand at some authentic Italian cooking classes. Here's one we like:
Casa Ombuto
Poppi, Italy
The perfect retreat in Tuscany for those who enjoy the small and intimate, Casa Ombuto is a Tuscan villa in the hills of Casentino valley set on a private 80 acre estate. The local town is a medieval village called Poppi, but the villa is also within driving distance towns such as Casentino, Chianti and Cortona.
The cantina on the property houses a professional kitchen where cooking classes are held. The classes - which, by the way, only start after lunch at 3 pm (sleeper ins rejoice!) - teach you how to make your own four-course Italian dinners, including fresh pasta making, wood-fired pizza and meat dishes such as Wild Boar and Polenta. One day features an excursion to a salami factory, a cheese farm and an olive oil mill, including a lunch at a vineyard near picturesque town Arezzo.
The villa is divided into three apartments, each with their own kitchen and living room. The common area outside features a flood pool and a large shaded pergola area for dining on a warm evening (pictured below).
Reviewers from
Tripadvisor absolutely loved this place, calling it "an inspirational experience in a magical setting". The group setting means anyone from couples, friends to solo travelers can feel welcome here and the friendly staff go out of their way to make your stay really special.
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Posted by terry dagrosa at 11:11AM on February 17 in
cooking classes,
romantic travel /
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Monday February 13, 2012
Some things are "Simply Irresistible" and this Valentine's Day,
award-winning Chuao Chocolatier is offering you the opportunity to win a
trip for two to San Diego where you will spend two nights at the
glamorous La Jollaa Shores Hotel, enjoy dinner at the beachfront THE
SHORES restaurant, and attend a private wine and chocolate pairing event
with Master Chef Michael Antonorsi of Chuao Chocolatier.
And, you will have a chance to win one of 14 Limited Edition Sweetheart
Boxes filled with 22 signature Chuao Chocolatier bonbons featuring
delectable, aphrodisiac ingredients.
So don't delay, you have between now and February 14th to enter to win.
And as if that wasn't enough to incentive you,
Seduction Meals is pleased to offer a 20% Off Coupon!
Use the code "BLOGGER" and receive 20% off their entire purchase
at
www.chuaochocolatier.com from Jan. 20 until Feb. 14, 2012.
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Posted by terry dagrosa at 11:11AM on February 13 in /
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Friday February 10, 2012
Remember how adorably sweet it was in the third or fourth grade when a girl or boy would approach you with a little card or gift and shyly ask...."Will you be my Valentine?"
When was the last time you used Valentine's Day to let someone know you are interested, or want to get to know them better, or to shower them with sweetness to let them know how much you really appreciate and love everything about them.
Three things to make Valentine's Day Special
1. Enjoy a romantic meal for two at home.
While dining out at your favorite restaurant is almost always a pleasure, Valentine's Day is all about cooking for volume, moving people in and out, mostly bad service and overall, you are taking a chance on whether or not the experience on this special day will be a good one. (And if you live in a city like New York, catching a cab home can be a trying experience). Don't get me wrong, there are a good number of restaurants who still cater to quality and the experience no matter the day of the year; but on this day, they are far and few. So....
- Prepare an amazing three-course home-cooked meal that shows your creativity and passion for making this night a special event
- Or, if you don't cook, hire a private chef, or have your favorite restaurant prepare (and if they have the bandwidth, deliver) a meal to your home. Set up a table for two in your living room. Use a white table cloth, add flowers and candles and an impressive table setting.If you have a fireplace, get that going.
- If you think you will be together the next day, be sure to plan for a wonderfully seductive breakfast in bed
2. Surprise and Delight your Loved OneGo out of your way to do something that will truly charm and delight your Valentine. Be creative and do something out of the ordinary...something that will make their hearts go pitter patter.
- Send a special invitation to your Valentine's Day dinner. Provide the details of your romantic evening to build anticipation of something special.
- Go for a couple's massage at your favorite local spa before dinner
- Sprinkle rose petals from the door to the table, where two glasses and a bottle of chilled champagne awaits
- Dim the lights and set (unscented) candles throughout the room to create a sense of twinkling magic
- Hire a waiter for the dinner portion of your romantic eventing. They should leave as soon as dessert is served.
- Consider hiring a 2 or 3 piece ensemble to play a few romantic tunes during your cocktail / appetizer portion of the night
- Create a music playlist that is made up of your shared favorite songs
3. GiftsWhile there are many little things you can do to make the night special, each a gift in its own right, don't feel you have to give someone a gift for Valentine's Day, but if you want to, here are a few ideas that you can order online:
For HerPiper Heidsieck Brut Rose Champagne & Vosage Exotic TrufflesPour a little pink bubbly to start any celebration! Piper Heidsieck brut rosè Champagne dry Champagne pours a rich, deep crimson. Lively effervescence is punctuated by notes of plum, cherry and blood orange and finishes with a touch of cinnamon.
Ravishing Red Roses Hatbox Bouquet
A luxury bouquet, artfully arranged in a contemporary vase and delivered in gorgeous keepsake hatbox. The flawless blooms of rich red luxury roses express so elegantly your love and affection, and when situated in a red square glass vase they'll sweep your Valentine right off her feet. A bouquet of twelve roses arrives already perfectly arranged inside the vase, and the romantic gift is elegantly presented in a berry satin hatbox topped with a green bow.
Reasons I Love You StonesThe
reasons are infinite, and now nine of them are etched in stone. One
side of each brushed-nickel token says "I love you" and the other bears a
compelling reason, from "because you're an inspiration" to "because you rock" to "because I
just do!" Comes in a red faux-suede
pouch.
Vivre Bag of Passion
The ultimate bag of passion, created exclusively for Vivre by Nancy
Gonzalez. An exotic crocodile and leather pouch houses a set of
crocodile "love" totems that say it all: a pair of red lips (for
kisses); a silver moon (over the moon); a key (to your heart); and a red
heart (no words required). Encased in a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" red leather
pouch with natural Cayman crocodile trim.
For HimPersonalized Hidden Message Collar Stays Why
settle for tucking love notes in his briefcase when you can deliver a
message of love from much closer range? Our set of twelve stainless
steel collar stays (six each of two different sizes: 2 ½" and 2 ¾")
comes in a compact leather carry case. Each collar stay is
personaled with your choice of quote or message. So, get creative.
Be it love or lust, your 12 different flirty messages--customized
especially for your sweetheart--are sure to make his day.
Beer of the Month Club
For the beer lovers in your life, here is a gift that will put a smile on his face. Gift recipients receive 12 bottles of premium microbrews (4 different kinds) every month from award-winning breweries nationwide. Free shipping and instant gift messages with all orders. Available in 3, 6, 12 month and quarterly lengths.
The Groove CollectionA study of the African-American influence on America's musical history through chocolate, story and song, The Groove Collection is a chocolate + music experience. The featured artists range from Otis Redding to Grandmaster Flash, and the perfectly synched truffles boast ingredients such as roasted yams, buttermilk banana pudding, Jack Daniels® Tennessee Whiskey, and Kentucky tobacco smoked deep milk chocolate. Twelve musical genres await. Read, listen, feel and taste your way through history. And for the feel-good quota: 10% of proceeds from this music-chocolate-sensory experience are donated to Little Kids Rock, an organization dedicated to restoring and revitalizing music education in U.S. schools.
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Posted by terry dagrosa at 10:11AM on February 10 in
Valentine's Day /
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Tuesday February 07, 2012
For many, now is the time to start planning that special romantic meal for two that is shared on February 14th! If you are making reservations its best to get on top of that right away. But for those who prefer a more intimate, romantic and hassle-free evening, creating and sharing a home-cooked meal is the best option. This Valentine's Day why not add a few aphrodisiacs to your menu and let the sparks fly!
1. ChampagneApropos for a special celebration and a symbol for love, Champagne would certainly rank among the top five aphrodisiacs for love. Select an elegant set of glasses and christen the evening with the festive sound of a popping cork. Share in the delight of taking in its sparkling effervescence as you begin to feel a sense of euphoria and anticipation of a very special evening with each sip taken.
A Champagne Cocktail for Love / Makes 1 cocktail
2 ounces fresh tangerine juice
1/2 ounce rose water
2 fresh mint leaves
2 ounces dry (slightly sweet) champagne
Add the tangerine juice and rose water to a champagne flute.
Twist the mint leaves with your fingers and drop them in the glass.
Fill the glass with champagne.
2. SeafoodNot only does Seafood go perfectly with Champagne....there is just something sexy about eating seafood. Think of slurping a raw oyster; feeding your lover a beautifully prepared canape with caviar followed by a shot of vodka, or sharing a piece of lobster dipped in butter. There are many varieties of seafood that have found their way on top lists of aphrodisiacs: Caviar, lobster, oysters, scallops and clams. Here is a wonderful appetizer to consider for your Valentine Seduction Meal by Alton Brown--Scallops on the Half Shell. The presentation is greatly enhanced by taken the extra step of purchasing the shells to serve the Scallops on, or perhaps you have
scallop appetizer plates such as these from Micheal Aram.
3. Spicy PeppersSweaty palms, increased heart rate, raised body temperatures- feels just like love right? Well, the right pepper will have you thinking that if you didn't know better, but how wonderful is the spicy pepper and all it brings to a dish. If you are a steak lover, here is a spicy dish that will liven things up: Grilled Ribeye Steak or Filet Mignon with Chimichurri Sauce. Originating from Argentina, Chimichurri is a delicious sauce simply made from chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. It is typically served with grilled steak, but can be served over chicken, fish and roasted vegetables. For all those garlic lovers out there....this is your sauce! You may even consider it your all time favorite, or just... the BEST sauce ever!
4. Chocolate, the Elixir of LoveIt is truly amazing to watching a person succumbing to their chocolate desires...with their eyes closed, and their motions slowed downy to savor every moment of this its experience - dare I say...it's almost orgasmic. For many, chocolate is one of life's true culinary pleasures. I would have to agree, although I put it right next to ice-cream. Hell, some say its better than sex! Long accepted as a Valentine's Day tradition, chocolate goes hand-in-hand as a choice gift with long stem roses or any flowers for that matter. Shower your lover with this powerful aphrodisiac to find out if it truly increases one's sexual libido.
5. HoneyDeliciously tempting, there is a reason honey is always listed as a top food for love. In medieval times, people drank a fermented drink made from honey which they believed promoted sexual desire. This drink, called mead, was shared between newlyweds in hopes of igniting flames of passion during their "honey month" or honeymoon. Luxuriously smooth, sticky and sweet - you can get very creative with your use of honey. Here is a tempting way to end your Valentine's Day meal: a special dessert of Pears in Honey and Pine Nut Caramel with Artisanal Cheese.
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Posted by terry dagrosa at 11:11AM on February 07 in
Valentine's Day,
aphrodisiacs /
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Monday February 06, 2012
Some things are "Simply Irresistible" and this Valentine's Day,
award-winning Chuao Chocolatier is offering you the opportunity to win a
trip for two to San Diego where you will spend two nights at the
glamorous La Jollaa Shores Hotel, enjoy dinner at the beachfront THE
SHORES restaurant, and attend a private wine and chocolate pairing event
with Master Chef Michael Antonorsi of Chuao Chocolatier.
And, you will have a chance to win one of 14 Limited Edition Sweetheart
Boxes filled with 22 signature Chuao Chocolatier bonbons featuring
delectable, aphrodisiac ingredients.
So don't delay, you have between now and February 14th to enter to win.
And as if that wasn't enough to incentive you,
Seduction Meals is pleased to offer a 20% Off Coupon!
Use the code "BLOGGER" and receive 20% off their entire purchase
at
www.chuaochocolatier.com from Jan. 20 until Feb. 14, 2012.
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Posted by terry dagrosa at 11:11AM on February 06 in
Valentine's Day /
Permalink /
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Friday February 03, 2012
Think magical love potion with side effects of uncontrollable passion and sensual bliss. Let's face it, people do crazy things for their chocolate fix and for some reason not to be challenged, gifts of chocolate morsels are expected on Valentine's Day. It's so easy to go online and order some of the best artisanal chocolates...so don't wait until the last minute, order now! Here's some of our favorites:
Vosages - Red Fire Milagro Heart of Love: $4.00
Spice it up a notch! Bestow the gift of a love miracle, and give a milagro heart to someone special. The milagro (meaning miracle in Spanish) symbolizes gratitude and love, and embodies the power of the heart to heal all wounds. Classic Red Fire parfum of Ancho y Chipotle chillies + Ceylon cinnamon + dark chocolate.
John & Kira: The Ultimate Wine + Fig Gift Box: $79.95
John & Kira: "This pairing is one of the best things we have ever tasted. Inside the beautiful brown gift box lies a 12 piece box of chocolate covered whiskey ganache figs accompanied by a bottle of Lacrima Dolce merlot based dessert wine (375 ml) from the ultra premium Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford, PA. The pairing makes the ultimate dessert after a long meal and the perfect gift for a wine and chocolate connoisseur."
"To make the figs, we import tender, organic dried Calabacita figs from a small family farm in Spain then fill them ourselves with a silky smooth, whiskey infused Valrhona dark chocolate ganache. They are then hand-dipped in 62% dark chocolate and carefully placed in their own gift box . . . finished with a letter-pressed card."
Romanicos: Love Stamp Mezzo - $75
True chocoholics understand that one type of chocolate, one flavor, one tiny box, is never enough. We have taken our inspiration from these chocolate lovers and created this giant gift box of decadent chocolates containing our three lines of chocolate (Truffles, Chocolate Art, and our Truffle Bites). Oh, sweet temptations!
Vosages - Grande Heart Exotic Truffle Collection: $95
Love is a battlefield, here is your purple heart! This alluring purple heart shaped box contains an assortment of 32 truffles from the Italiana, Groove, Aztec and Exotic Collections. Savor each truffle for a taste of history and culture from all around the world. Magnify your tasting experience with the provided pairing menu.
Maribelle NY - 36 pieces of Artistic Sweets for your Loved One: $97
When it comes to elegant surprises, nothing compares to the classic 36 piece MarieBelle box. Packed up in a fashionable and artistic Red box are 36 delicious seasonal themed morsels, ready to satisfy your senses.
Richart Valentine Day's Gift Boxes: $15 - $75
What is the flavor of your love? This year, Michel RICHART was inspired by the ever changing sides of love: mysterious, loyal, passionate, sincere, secret...Discover how he translated all these feelings and memories into unique textures, savors, and flavors. And celebrate love.
Christopher Elbow - Valentine Collection: $38
Whats not to love? Twenty chocolates from our fall/winter seasonal collection wrapped up in a beautiful heart shaped box. This item is available to order now, but will not be available for shipping until January 30th.
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Posted by terry dagrosa at 11:11AM on February 03 in
Valentine's Day,
chocolate seduction /
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A toast to you all! 
A toast to you all! 
