Valentine's Day is one of those holidays that can come and
go in my household. I might help the kids decorate boxes for school parties or
back some cupcakes for work or to send along with them to school. Last year,
though, I decided to actually do things as a family to celebrate those fun
little holidays that come up throughout the year. I decided that the best thing
about Valentine's Day are the treats served around that time. And what better
delicacy than chocolate? So, this is the day I planned for my family last year,
and we had a blast eating these delicious chocolate treats.
For Breakfast:
1. Hot Chocolate
or Mochas with Chocolate Croissants
This is the perfect way to start out the day. Buy some whipped
topping or make your own for the drinks. You can go ahead and start the hot
chocolate first, because it only gets better the longer is cooks. Make mochas
by adding a shot of espresso or adding the hot chocolate to your brewed coffee,
maybe with a little cream.
Made with milk, sugar, vanilla and water and perfect for
making large batches. Try making an extra large batch and send the extras to
school with the kids or store it in the fridge for perfect chocolate milk all
day.
Another classic hot chocolate recipe, but creamier.
Delicious!
Try it with Ghirardelli
Cocoa if you want to go all out!
These are super easy and delicious with either coffee or hot
chocolate. All you need is a pre-rolled puff pastry, any kind of chocolate bar
you like, and one egg beaten. Cut the dough into triangles, roll them up with a
piece of chocolate inside to make croissants, paint it with the beaten egg, and
bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees. Voila! Perfection!
After Lunch:
Perfect for a light lunch dessert, and not rich enough to
put you to sleep as you start on your afternoon to-do list.
After Dinner:
3. Chocolate Lava
Cake with Ice Cream and Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Chocolate Cake
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Cakes-with-Liquid-Centers/Detail.aspx
Melted Chocolate for
Strawberries
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Covered-Strawberries/Detail.aspx
Tip for keeping chocolate from thickening:
Chocolate can be a mystery, so here is a tip to keep your
chocolate from becoming too thick. When you are melting over a double boiler,
don't let the water touch the bottom of your upper pan. Heat until only 1/2 of
the chocolate is melted, then remove from heat and stir gently until it is all
melted. The chocolate should actually be cool or tepid to the touch. If it's
hot, chances are it will seize up and thicken. If it does that, no amount of
heating or stirring will fix it.
Get any kind of ice cream you like. If you want to go all
out, make your own!
Mariana
Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about
online colleges. She loves
receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031
@gmail.com.
