In less than a month we'll be celebrating the first holiday since the end of the year holidays, and will test many of us with a sweet tooth or two! St. Valentine Day. Yes, it's a saints day, not just Valentine's Day. There is a history behind this, and sure maybe Hallmark and many others have benefited from it, but lets look back at where this originated. With the help of Wikipedia here is a synopsis of the holiday filled with hearts, chocolate, flowers and more.
Saint Valentine of Rome was a widely recognized 3rd-century Roman saint, commemorated in Christianity on February 14. From the High Middle Ages his Saints' Day has been associated with a tradition of courtly love. He is also a patron saint of epilepsy. Saint Valentine was a clergyman – either a priest or a bishop – in the Roman Empire who ministered to persecuted Christians. He was martyred and his body buried at a Christian cemetery on the Via Flaminia close to the Ponte Milvio to the north of Rome, on February 14, which has been observed as the Feast of Saint Valentine (Saint Valentine's Day) since 496 AD.
I love chocolate, and while I know there are people that cannot have it due to allergy, I can't understand otherwise someone not liking any form of chocolate. Sure some prefer milk over white, or dark, but to not like it is very foreign to me. Let's get one thing clear however, we can still be friends, because what you don't like and is gifted to you, I am happy to take off your hands.
Ok so if chocolate is not your thing, how about honey? I've created a selection of some of my favorites for this holiday. There's something for everyone to enjoy. Will it be chocolate or will it be honey? If you've stopped by my blog before you'll definitely recognize the honey sweets. Honey is an important to ingredient in the Greek cuisine, so for this Greek, no SUBSTITUTIONS in my kitchen. Below is a look at some of the chocolatey delights, and a link to both chocolatey and honey confections!
CHOCOLATE DECADENCE
You'll notice when I make cupcakes, whether mini or regular size, I don't over frost. The chocolate cupcakes I've made here are my favorite recipe. I don't leave home without knowing where to find it. They ALWAYS come out moist and so chocolatey! But not overly sweet either. If someone wants frosting, I go very light. But for V-Day I thought it would be nice to add a touch of crunch & sweet in the shape of a meringue heart. These cupcakes are also good with a brush of wine liqueur or some kind of cordial. They go from a chocolatey spongy goodness to a devine bite.
For those of you that may only have one sweet tooth as opposed to myself having many. I have these wonderful dark chocolate cut out cookies. I adapted them from another recipe I found online. The original cookie has more of a snap, whereas mine are softer, but by no means too sweet. The sweetness for these come from the added frosting, and as you see, I don't put a lot. Great for dipping in coffee or tea!
Valentine's Day wouldn't be the same without the Chocolate Truffle. These may look like truffles you would find in the forests of Italy, however mine aren't as strong in taste or expensive! They do however melt in your mouth and go great with a glass of red wine.
Last but by no means least, are the Cocoa heart marshmallows! Add one or two of these to your coffee or a hot chocolate and wisk yourself back to when you were a kid! I would not recommend playing a game of Chubby Bunny with these. The added Cocoa powder may do more harm than fun.
SWEETS WITH A TOUCH OF HONEY
As I mentioned previously, I know some people are not chocolate fans. We've been over that, and for those I have put together a box with an assortment of sweets with touch of honey. Warning they are SWEET! You can enjoy them not just on V-Day but for the rest of the month, with the exception of the Diples that are best fresh and only available for local orders only.
Now that I am sure you are drooling and want something sweet, go on and check out the selection!! I will make it easy for you, no searching required, just click here.
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