The Two Secrets to Valentine's Day Treats You have to have red hearts!

 

 

 

Are you scratching your head, trying to come up with something new and exciting to fix for Valentine's Day? Well, maybe you're not thinking of the two most crucial components: great Valentine's Day treats have to be red, and they have to contain hearts. Beyond that, the sky's the limit!

 

So, first, think of red ingredients and let your imagination wander: berries, tomatoes, tomato sauce, fruit juice, yogurt, cereal, salmon and shrimp (they're pink, and that's close enough!), gelatin, cherries and of course, red food dye. With choices like that, you can pick just about any food and turn it into a Valentine's Day masterpiece.

 

And now, think about heart shaped foods: strawberries, cookies, anything baked in a heart-shaped pan and anything cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter, as well as anything you can mold, cut or shape by hand. Again, you have lots of choices!

 

Do you want to be bold and daring? How about spaghetti and meat sauce served in a heart-shaped pan? Or how about mashed potatoes colored red with food dye? Heart-shaped brownies are always a favorite, and if you drizzle melted white chocolate hearts on top, they'll be even better. Layers of red gelatin and whipped topping, sprinkled with red-heart candies will make anyone smile with delight. Make it simple, if you prefer: how about a scoop of cherry ice cream topped with chocolate syrup and a maraschino cherry?

Valentine Pretzel Rods

Ingredients:

Chocolate or White chocolate chips

Whole pretzel rods

Red, white and/or pink sprinkles or colored sugar

Wax paper

 

Directions:

Melt chocolate in the microwave, according to package directions. Dip pretzel rods in the chocolate and place on the wax paper. After the chocolate hardens, dip them again and then roll them in the sprinkles. Place them on a new sheet of wax paper to harden.