You don't need to spend a lot of money to bring the spirit of Valentine's Day into your house.
Designer Jennifer Brouwer recently created a Valentine's Day house and offered the following tips to help people create their own house of love.
1) This may sound simple, but effort equals results. Anything you can do that shows your loved ones how much you care will be a welcome delight.
2) Plan ahead. It's far more economical to buy those little treats after the holiday so think ahead and stock up for next year.
3) Be creative. Do-it-yourself crafts can be simple, cheap and cheerful. Try a few fun projects with the kids.
4) Don't under estimate the power of a dollar store. For under $20 you can pick up a red table cloth, pink napkins, heart-shaped confetti, small bunches of flowers, mini boxes of chocolates and lovely "I love you" note cards. In 10 minutes, you can have everything you need to create a beautiful table setting for a Valentine's feast.
5) Add some paper hearts cut out of fun decorative paper to a lamp shade or chandelier to transform your room for your Valentine's celebration. Add messages of love on a lamp shade with candy kisses in the base.
6) Place fresh flowers around the house for colour. They don't have to be roses, any mix of pink, red and white blooms will add some fun to your space.
7) Candies make great accessories. Fill apothecary jars with jelly beans, cinnamon hearts or chocolate kisses and place them in the front entrance to welcome your Valentine's guests.
8) Modify your artwork. Cover existing art with colourful paper adorned with hearts and Xs and Os.
9) Add a few red or pink pillows to your sofa and beds for an instant Valentine look.
10) Place an easel at the back door or in the kitchen and write love messages to your family everyday for the entire month of February. Let your love be the first thing they see in the morning.
11) Pamper your pooch with a heart-shaped doggie bed and treats that show Spot he's an important part of the family, too.
12) Create a "love" theme on a neutral wall with ribbon and double-sided tape
13) Create your own artwork with cut-out Xs and Os on construction paper in a cheap and cheerful white frame.
14) Get the kids involved. Encourage them to cut out shapes and when they return home from school, show them how you've incorporated them throughout the house
With a little thought and some planning, you can create some wonderful memories that show your family just how much you care.
The couple who cook together...
It has been said that couples who eat together stay together, so this Valentine's Day Metro is encouraging Ontarians to take their love to the kitchen for some quality time.
Between work, social circles and increasingly multifunctional mobile devices, finding quality time to focus just on each other has become an uphill battle. According to a recent survey, Canadians are looking for more private time together as a couple. According to the survey, more than 30 per cent of Canadians chose an intimate dinner for two as their No. 1 activity for a Valentine's Day celebration.
Here are a few tips from Metro on how to grow and nourish a bond, one ingredient at a time.
- Get to know each other's food preferences: likes, dislikes and combinations;
- Heighten all senses by trying new recipes;
- Take the time to pick up groceries together;
- Prepare the meal working as a team;
- Turn off all distractions when enjoying the prepared dishes - no TV, no cellphones;
- Mix it up: instead of a traditional dinner, make a delicious breakfast for each other;
- Set the mood. Light a few candles and dim the lights so all attention is focused on each other and the meal.
Cheese and lager fondue
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup of Stella Artois
1/2 cup Appenzeller cheese (grated)
1/4 cup raclette cheese (grated)
1/2 cup emmental cheese (grated)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Melt butter in stock pot over medium heat and add flour to make a roux.
Cook slightly for about two minutes and add milk while whisking - making sure not to let the sauce stick to the pan.
When mixture thickens reduce heat to low and slowly add grated cheeses, stirring in a zig zag patter (this helps the cheeses to melt evenly into the mixture).
When cheeses are incorporated, then add Stella Artois, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Keep warm until ready to serve and enjoy.
~ Recipe courtesy of Michael Cipollo, executive chef for Bier Market for its annual Me, Yu Und Fonde Festival until Feb. 26.
Easy homemade pizza
Dough
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 envelope fast-rising dry yeast
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup very warm water
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp cornmeal or flour
Sauce and toppings
7 tbsp tomato sauce
1 tsp oregano
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 small onion, finely sliced
4 oz sliced mozzarella (125 grams)
12 pitted black olives
grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
Fine salt and freshly ground black pepper
Dough
Combine flour, yeast, sugar and salt in mixing bowl. Whisk until ingredients are blended.
Stir in water and 2 tbsp olive oil until well blended.
Place dough on a lightly floured counter, baking mat or cutting board. Knead 10 minutes and work into a ball. Cover with towel and let rest for 20 minutes.
Sprinkle pizza stone with 2 tbsp corn meal or flour. Place dough on stone and press into a circle. Stretch and roll dough shaping a 14-inch circle.
Sauce, topping and assembly
Heat oven to 450 F.
Mix tomato sauce, oregano, mustard, salt and pepper and spread on the dough evenly.
Finely slice the onion and slice the mozzarella.
Top the pizza with the sliced mozzarella. Sprinkle with olives and sliced onion.
Spread the grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle the olive oil on top.
Place cold pizza stone with pizza in oven, bake about 15 to 20 minutes.
When baked, cut directly on the stone with a pizza cutter and serve warm.
Grilling directions
Heat grill.
Cook over high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and the top is bubbly.
~ Recipe courtesy of Emile Henry pizza stone
Candied kisses mocha
Show your love by presenting this coffee.
4 oz brewed coffee
1 oz white chocolate sauce
1/2 oz vanilla syrup
8 oz steamed or warm milk
Prepare extra bold coffee and pour into serving mug. Add sauce, syrup and steamed milk and stir until combined. Top with whipped cream and chocolate kisses.
~ Recipe courtesy Reunion Island Flores 'Green Dragon' Coffee
Chevre swirl brownies
Decadent, rich and chocolatey, but only 130 calories and six grams of fat per serving. Yum.
Cheese filling
5 oz (140 g) plain chevre, room temperature
2 tbsp butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp liquid honey
Brownie
4 oz (113 g) chopped semi-sweet chocolate
3 tbsp butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
Heat oven to 350 F. Line a nine-inch baking pan with parchment or grease well with cooking spray.
In bowl, beat the chevre, butter and sugar on low speed of electric mixer until smooth and blended. Add flour, egg, vanilla and honey, beating until blended. Set aside.
In small saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar and eggs. Mix thoroughly.
Add flour, nuts (if using), baking powder, vanilla and salt, stirring until blended.
Spread half the batter in a prepared pan. Spread the chevre filling over the top. Cover evenly with spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter. Swirl mixtures with the tip of the knife just enough to marble.
Bake in the center of the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until set. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes.
Cut into squares, store in air-tight container.
Makes 16 brownies.
Variation:
Raspberry chevre brownies: Dot 1/4 cup of raspberry jam into the batter just before swirling. Bake as above.
~ Recipe courtesy of ontariogoatcheese.ca