Valentine's Day at the Inn

Valentine's Day at most bed and breakfasts is usually very busy. They fill up with couples looking for a romantic get-away to celebrate the day or week-end with someone they love. The Inns offer Sweetheart Packages, Spa Packages and the like. They fill the rooms with red roses, champagne and chocolates. We, at the Aleksander House, http://www.aleksanderhouse.com/ like to serve a special sweetheart's breakfast of Belgium Waffles with fresh strawberries and real whipped cream. Strawberries and chocolate seem to be very popular on Valentine's Day, so many of the Innkeepers make chocolate-covered strawberries. They're really not difficult to make. Here are a couple of recipes:

Recipes for Chocolate Covered Strawberries

INGREDIENTS
16 ounces milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves
DIRECTIONS
Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.
Turn berries upside down. Insert pick in Styrofoam for chocolate to cool.

Recipe from: Armida Cooks
Since it's Valentine's Day today, I figured I'll re-post this oldie-but goodie recipe for Chocolate Covered Strawberries. If you want to impress your cutie pie, these strawberries are so easy to make.
Whenever I go to a fancy Sunday brunch, there are two things that I first look out for: the champagne and the chocolate covered strawberries. The recipe below is fool proof and delicious. Just make sure your strawberries are super dry before you dip them in the chocolate. Oh my gawd, I'm having cravings just writing this!

INGREDIENTS
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening, such a vegetable Crisco (do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil)*
12 large fresh strawberries, with stems, rinsed and patted dry

DIRECTIONS
Prepare cookie sheet by placing wax paper on bottom of it.
Place chocolate chips and shortening in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1-1/2 minutes or just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred; cool slightly.
Holding strawberry by top, dip 2/3 of each berry into chocolate mixture; shake gently to remove excess. Place on prepared tray.
Refrigerate until coating is firm, about 30 minutes. Store, covered, in refrigerator.
*Butter, margarine and spreads contain water which may prevent chocolate from melting properly; oil may prevent chocolate from forming a coating.

*Chcek out our Valentine's packages. They are available now through the end of February.

Edible Aphrodisiacs

For thousands of years, people have been using so-called aphrodisiacs — herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables, insects, animal organs, and so on — to enhance their love lives. How effective are these stimulants, really, at increasing sexual desire and drive? According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), not very effective at all. In 1989 the FDA asserted that there was no scientific evidence that aphrodisiacs have any effect on libido whatsoever. Still, many people claim that certain foods put them in the mood.

Here's a list of legendary, edible "aphrodisiacs" that are safe and healthy.

Oysters Some say it's because they're high in zinc, and are among the world's oldest reputed aphrodisiacs.

In most countries chocolate is associated with romance, and with good reason, it was thought by the Aztec's to have aphrodisiac qualities, invigorating men and making women less inhibited. So when it was first introduced to Europe, it's small wonder that chocolate quickly became the ideal gift for a man to bestow on a loved one.'

A properly paired red wine will enhance the taste of your food and, hopefully, get the two of you in the mood for love, since moderate amounts of alcohol can lower people's inhibitions and help them relax

Studies have shown that ginseng may sexually stimulate animals, but there is no conclusive evidence that it has any effect on a human's sexual response

chili peppers might be your best bet for heating things up. Chilies contain capsaicin, a compound that makes the peppers spicy. Capsaicin will also raise your heartbeat, cause you to perspire, and release endorphins that may trigger feelings similar to those experienced during sexual arousal.
Avocados has long been considered an aphrodisiac. Its ancient Aztec name, ahuacatl, actually means "testicle," and the fruit was associated with fertility.

Known in the world of erotic foods for its phallic form. multiply the strawberries' "aphrodisiac" powers, dip them in warm chocolate and feed them to your lover

Honey. They don't call it a "honeymoon" for nothing! Ancient customs encouraged newlyweds to drink mead, a fermented drink made with honey, to increase fertility and add sweetness to the marriage.

Many experts attribute the mythical properties of aphrodisiacs to the power of suggestion. In other words, if you believe a certain thing will turn you on, it probably will. And it isn't just foods that can put you in the mood — according to researchers at the Chicago-based Smell and Taste Foundation, studies reveal that certain smells can also be sexually arousing. They cite as examples lavender, pumpkin pie, and licorice. Ultimately, though, the best aphrodisiac is a healthy diet combined with regular exercise. Eating healthfully and staying in shape will keep your body — and your libido — in top form.

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

                                

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

For Valentine’s day, or any other special event, make these elegant romantic strawberries for someone you love.  

I love chocolate combined with fruit flavors, and especially with strawberry. If you're looking for something special to make for someone you care about, try these delicious little morsels. They look like they are totally work intensive and hard to make but, honestly, they are not.  It will only take you around 10-15 minutes from beginning to end and  the finished product is very impressive.                                             

Ingredients

2 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
9 large strawberries with caps or stems
1/4 cup cognac or orange juice
2 tablespoons honey                                                                                                   

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside. Heat the chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, stirring, until melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Let cool slightly. Holding the strawberries by the cap or stem, dip one at a time into the chocolate mixture, coating halfway. Gently place the berries on the lined baking sheet; let coating set.


Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce. In a small pan, simmer the cognac and honey until reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Cool briefly, then fold the mixture into the sour cream in a small bowl. When the chocolate is set, arrange the strawberries on a serving plate. (Recipe from Grandma's Kitchen on line)

                                            

Tip: Always prepare strawberries within a couple of hours of serving them because she know that if the dipped berries were refrigerated, the coating would "sweat" and become mushy.   

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