Posts for February 14th 2008

Guess Who

Name That Dish!

Welcome to the Valentine's Day version of Name That Dish.
Welcome to the Valentine's Day version of Name That Dish. Below is a heart-shaped French dessert — do you know what it's called?

Name That Dish!

uk

London Receives a Marmite Kiss

This morning I asked you if you would eat a Marmite sandwich.

This morning I asked you if you would eat a Marmite sandwich. Imagine my surprise when just a few hours later I discovered that London-based artist, Jeremy Fattorini, has created a giant sculpture made from it! His sculpture, which is a replica of Rodin's The Kiss, is 7-ft. tall and is made from 420 jars of the limited-edition "I Love You" Marmite. It was unveiled yesterday in London's Greenwich Park, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Source

recipes

Come Party With Me: Valentine's Day Single Gal Soirée — Drinks

My sister and her BFF have asked everyone to bring a bottle of wine to their Valentine's Day fondue party.

My sister and her BFF have asked everyone to bring a bottle of wine to their Valentine's Day fondue party. They've assigned everyone a different kind of wine: some gals are bringing champagne, others white, and others red. Naturally there will be lots of still and sparkling water. The hostesses will be offering one signature cocktail to get the night started off on the right foot. Spiked pink lemonade is simple to make in a big batch and refreshing to drink.

The cocktail has a fabulous pink color, perfect for any Valentine's Day soirée — for the recipe, read more

candy

Love's in the Forecast

Earlier, PartySugar tipped you off to the fact that new phrases are introduced on conversation hearts each year.

Earlier, PartySugar tipped you off to the fact that new phrases are introduced on conversation hearts each year. This year, the people at Necco are turning up the heat and have declared that "Love's in the Forecast". For those that don't speak marketing jargon, this year's ten new phrases are all weather and nature inspired. The new phrases are:

  • Melt My Heart
  • In a Fog
  • Chill Out
  • Cloud Nine
  • Heat Wave
  • Sun Shine
  • Get My Drift
  • Wild Life
  • Nature Lover
  • Do Good

If you want to see them for yourself, there's still time for love in your forecast! Head down to your local store for a bag, or better yet, wait for tomorrow when they're sure to be on sale!

Source

recipes

Soup's On: Cheddar Beer Soup

When I made cheddar cheese soup a couple of months ago, I had a hard time choosing between two recipes.

When I made cheddar cheese soup a couple of months ago, I had a hard time choosing between two recipes. I went with the classic "best ever" cheese soup recipe from Cook's Illustrated rather than the super simple variation from Everyday With Rachael Ray. To treat myself for Valentine's Day I decided to give the other recipe a try. Good thing I did because I prefer this velvety version! Flavored with leeks instead of celery and beer instead of sherry, this soup has a wonderful cheesy taste. Mustard adds depth and its slight tang offsets the beer. For garnish I made heart-shaped croutons! To see how I made this soup, read more

News

Starbucks Is Closing Its Doors For Three Hours

If, on Feb. 26, you head to your local Starbucks after work and discover that it's closed, don't say I didn't warn you.

If, on Feb. 26, you head to your local Starbucks after work and discover that it's closed, don't say I didn't warn you. On that Tuesday, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Starbucks will close all of its standalone stores. The three-hour shut down is so that the employees — about 135,000 of them — can be retrained. Spokeswoman Valerie O'Neil said:

We will have all new standards for how we create the drinks. They will be trained in creating the perfect shot, steaming the milk, and all the pieces that come together in a drink.

It's really about ensuring that the customer experience that we provide is the best that it can be.

Starbucks has been going through a lot of changes lately, and the retraining of all of its employees is part of the plan to revive the brand and sales.

If you're trying to figure out how you'll survive without Starbucks for those three hours, I should mention that the nearly 4,000 kiosks inside of grocery stores, airports, etc. may remain open. Those employees will be trained around the same time, but not necessarily on that same day.

sandwiches

Would You Eat a Marmite Sandwich?

This year, Marmite — a cult British favorite — introduced a champagne flavor for Valentine's Day.

This year, Marmite — a cult British favorite — introduced a champagne flavor for Valentine's Day. The original Marmite is made from a yeast extract and is a dark brown, salty paste with an intense flavor similar to soy sauce. The paste is then spread on toast or crackers. Nigella Lawson is even known for her recipe for Marmite sandwiches in which she whisks butter and Marmite together and spreads it onto sliced white bread.

The new limited-edition I Love You version contains a hint of champagne, but is still the same intense flavor.

So what I want to know is, would you eat Marmite? How about a Marmite sandwich?

recipes

Fast & Easy Dinner: Baked Eggs with Spinach and Tomatoes

If your dearest happens to be a vegetarian, make him baked eggs for a romantic dinner tonight.

If your dearest happens to be a vegetarian, make him baked eggs for a romantic dinner tonight. Baked eggs — while not overly glamorous — are delicately delicious. Their simple elegance is sexy, especially when cooked with a garlic, tomato, and spinach mixture. A dollop of cream cheese is a decadent finish. For a full meal start with a cheese plate paired with dried fruit, honey, and crackers; finish with chocolate molten cakes. To drink? It's Valentine's Day so celebrate with a bottle of bubbly!

To take a look at the recipe, read more