Top 5 Valentine Recipes ♥

Valentine's is Friday and here are my  top 5 requested  valentine themed recipes! ♥ 




Valentine DIY Heart Shaped Pizza ♥

Valentine Jell-o Shots  ♥ 

Bubbly Love Potion Cocktail ♥

Sugar Free Chocolate Covered Cherries  ♥ 

Heart Shaped Ravioli  ♥ 

Happy Valentines!  ♥ 

xoxo, Kira 

Top 5 Valentine Recipes ♥

Valentine's is tomorrow and here are my  top 5 requested  valentine themed recipes! ♥ 

Valentine DIY Heart Shaped Pizza ♥

Valentine Jell-o Shots  ♥ 

Bubbly Love Potion Cocktail ♥

Sugar Free Chocolate Covered Cherries  ♥ 

Heart Shaped Ravioli  ♥ 

Happy Valentines!  ♥ 



xoxo, Kira 

Bubbly Love Potion Cocktail ♥

Here is a great cocktail for valentine's try my  love potion cocktail using my fave product Mezzetta! ♥


Happy Thirsty Thursday! 

Ingredients ♥

4 oz. vodka
1 can diet lemon lime soda
Mezzetta Maraschino Cherries with stems 

Directions ♥

Fill a champagne glass with  vodka, top with soda and a splash of the maraschino cherry juice.  Garnish with a cherry and enjoy!♥

Diy Valentine's Love Potion #9 and a little black dress.. ♥

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I have partnered up with JenJenHouse and wanted to let you know about their great website! I also included a recipe for valentine's that's so supercute and easy! Love Potion #9 shots! So you don't have a dress for your valentine's date? How about a little black dress?

JenJenHouse.com is the global leading online retailer for wedding gowns, special event dresses, wedding party dresses, and accessories. Customers can browse the vast online selection and choose their favorite dresses with great satisfaction. JenJenHouse.com prides itself on exceptional customer service, high quality and affordable prices.

For dresses, they have over 1,200 styles that be customized and tailored to your exact specifications. And, all of their selections are incredibly affordable, starting at just $79 and featuring savings of up to 60% off competitors’ prices


Here is a selection of great dresses they offer.Click here for great products http://www.jenjenhouse.com/.

My favorite..

They have shoes too look at these cute black pumps! 

What a supercute idea I had for valentine's for all you single ladies..  here's a recipe for love potion #9  ♥ 

Ingredients ♥ 

                                     

10 ounces Pearl Pomegranate
1/2 oz Malibu
Splash of Chambord
Pomegranate Juice

Directions ♥ 

Mix everything together and pour into these little cute bottles I found here on Etsy at Bitty Bottle ..supercute right? perfect for valentine's

So even if you are single ladies, who say's you can't put on your little black dress and have a fun night out! ♥ 

                       
  

Thirsty Thursday Valentine's Chocolate Martini ♥

Here is a perfect thirsty thursday treat, a valentine's chocolate martini enjoy! ♥

Ingredients ♥ 

1 oz. Kai Lychee Vodka,
1 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liquor
1 oz. Godiva Dark Chocolate Liquor
¼ oz. splash of cream and poured into a Godiva Dark Chocolate swirled glass

Swirl Godiva Dark chocolatr inside the bottom of a martini glass. Fill a martini shaker with ice, add godiva white chocolate liquor. Kai lychee vodka and cream. Skake vigorously. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a strawberry! 

Valentine's Jello Shots ♥

 A fun idea for jello shots, why not turn them into valentine's hearts!
 Supercute right? and you don't need a valentine to make them! ♥

         

                                              Ingredients ♥

1 3oz package cherry flavored Jello gelatin mix

1 cup boiling water

1 cup vodka

Directions ♥

 I poured the mixture in a heart-shaped silicone mold I have.

Let set 4-6 hours at least, best overnight.

heart shaped whole wheat pancakes ♥

Here is a cute breakfast idea.. and a healthier whole wheat version on the regular pancake.. supercute for valentine's day! ♥

 

Ingredients ♥

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1/2 cup non-fat milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Directions ♥

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Preheat a large nonstick griddle or skillet over a medium-low flame.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour through salt). In another medium bowl, beat together the eggs, buttermilk non-fat milk, honey and vanilla.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing only enough to combine them. The batter will be somewhat lumpy.

Use a 1/3 cup measuring cup to ladle the batter onto the griddle or skillet. Flip the pancake when the top is bubbling and it is golden brown on the bottom. Then cook until the other side is golden brown. Hold on an oven proof plate in the oven until the entire batch is ready. When all the pancakes are ready, cut them into heart shapes with a heart shaped cookie cutter.
 Use a mini cookie cutter for the fat free butter to put on top..tip.. put the fat free butter in the freezer for a bit it makes it easier to cookie cut out! Have a healthy Valentine's and ... Enjoy!  ♥
 

 

Sugar Free Chocolate Covered Cherries ♥

In honor of Food Buzz as a featured publisher..(http://www.foodbuzz.com/) flavor of the month being stone fruit, I thought I would make a healthy sugar free version of homemade chocolate covered cherries.. these remond me of when I was little and my Grandpa used to eat the storebought ones, and Grandma used to say "Boris not too many!" so he would hide them upstairs away from her! :) 

For the chocolate:
6 TBSP. Melted Coconut Oil (you could use half melted cacao butter and half coconut oil)
6 TBSP. Cacao, Cocoa or Carob Powder
2 tsp. raw honey (regular honey works just as well)
1/4 tsp. Stevia extract powder
For the filling:
2 tsp. raw honey
2 tsp. organic butter, softened fat free of course!
1/2 cup Xylitol, powdered
15 frozen cherries (dark sweet, whole fruit, no sugar)
Let cherries sit out and thaw. Place on paper towels to dry.

Thoroughly blend the cocoa powder (or cacao or carob) with the melted oil (or butter/oil). Stir in raw honey and mix well until the honey is dissolved throughout the mixture (may require the use of a double broiler, or heating the mixture). Stir in the stevia extract until well combined. Set mixture aside.

Lightly grease the cavities of your chocolate covered cherry mold with olive oil or melted coconut oil. Place mold in freezer.
Blend the honey with the softened butter until well combined. Beat the butter and honey mixture with the powdered xylitol until well combined. Set aside.
Take the chocolate molds out of the freezer and come to your chocolate mixture. Place about 1/2 tsp. of the melted chocolate into the cavity. Spread around the cavity with your finger until enough chocolate is coating the cavity. Repeat with other chocolate molds. Place in the freezer to set.
Take 1/3-3/4 tsp. of xylitol mixture and wrap it around each cherry. There should be enough to wrap around the cherry 3/4 around, or more. Set aside. Take out chocolate molds, place cherries with mixture covering them into the chocolate cavities. Pour in 1 tsp. of melted chocolate over the cherries to seal the candies. It might be more, depending on how large your candies are. Place into the freezer to set.
Take the candies out of the freezer, turn the candy mold upside down, lightly tap and enjoy. Store in refrigerator.
Makes 15 chocolate covered cherries.enjoy!

Valentine's Strawberry Angel Food Cake Shooters ♥

Here is a supercute and healthy dessert for valentines day! or any day! enjoy! ♥

Fresh strawberries, angel food cake, cream cheese flavored whipped cream and a home made strawberry glaze…what could be bad. These little trifles are sweet, light, beautiful and truly decadent.

Ingredients ♥

1 large angel food cake (you’ll only need about 2/3)
For the Custard
1 8oz package fat free cream cheese, softened
1 14oz can low sugar sweetened condensed milk
1 12oz tub low sugar fat free Cool Whip, thawed
For the Glaze
1 1/2 cup sugar i use imitation( sugar in the raw)
5 tablespoons corn starch
5 tablespoons strawberry gelatin powder (I used sugar free Jell-O)
1 1/2 cup water
3 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
Additional chopped strawberries (about 1 cup) and fresh mint for garnish.

Directions ♥

Make the glaze by combining the sugar, corn starch, gelatin and water into a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until combined and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
While the glaze cools, cut the angel food cake into slices and then into 1 inch cubes.
To make the custard mix together the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk and cool whip into a medium bowl until well combined. No need to use a mixer, just good ole’ elbow grease and a wooden spoon works great.
Once the glaze is cooled, gently mix in the 3 cups of chopped strawberries. Now its time to assemble.
In your small plastic cups start with 2-3 cubes of cake. Then top the cake with about 2 tablespoons of the glaze with strawberries then a dollop of the sweetened cream mixture. Repeat with layers of cake, glaze and cream. Be sure to smooth the layers of cream after each addition, pressing down the layers as you smooth.
Allow to chill covered in the fridge for at least 4 hours. The longer they sit to allow the flavors and layers to come together, the better.
Just before serving top with strawberries and a little mint.
Makes about 22 mini trifles. enjoy! ♥

Heart Shaped Ravioli ♥

Here's a supercute way to serve pasta on valentine's day! enjoy! ♥

Ingredients ♥

• For the Filling:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (10 ounce) bag fresh spinach
• 1 cup feta cheese
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• -----------------
• To Make the Ravioli:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cups semolina flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil olive

♥

• To assemble Ravioli
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions ♥

1. (ravioli dough) Thoroughly sift together all-purpose flour, semolina flour, and small pinch of salt.
2. On a clean surface, make a mountain out of flour mixture then make a deep well in center. Break the eggs into the well and add olive oil. Whisk eggs very gently with a fork, gradually incorporating flour from the sides of the well. When mixture becomes too thick to mix with a fork, begin kneading with your hands.
3. Knead approximately, until it is smooth and elastic. Dust dough and work surface with semolina flours as needed to keep dough from becoming sticky. Wrap dough tightly in plastic and allow it to rest on your counter for 30 minutes.
4. Roll out dough with a pasta machine or a rolling pin.
5. Roll the dough out very thin on a lightly floured surface, one portion at a time. If you have a pasta machine, follow the manufacturer's instructions for rolling out the dough into sheets about 1 millimeter thick - if you don't? Eyeball it!
6. (filling) Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the spinach until fully wilted, about 2 minutes. Let cool, then squeeze the spinach to remove as much liquid as you can.
7. Combine the spinach, feta, and pine nuts (or the substitute) in a blender or food processor and pulse until it is the consistency of a fine paste. Beat egg and water together in a small bowl.
8. To assemble the ravioli, brush the egg over a sheet of pasta. Drop the filling mixture on the dough by teaspoonfuls about one inch apart. Cover the filling with the top sheet of pasta, pressing out the air from around each portion of filling. Press firmly around the filling in whatever shape you wish (circles, squares) and then cut them apart. Press the tines of a fork around the edges of the pasta to seal each raviolo.
9. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add the ravioli, stir gently, and return to a boil. Cook uncovered until the ravioli float to the top and the filling is hot, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Notes for v-day ravioli ♥

As shown above, these would be perfect for a Valentine's Day dinner with your love. Just cut the dough into hearts and seal each individually instead of in a sheet. With a nice light marinara these would be beautiful!

You can even create red pasta with food coloring gel and toss with extra virgin olive oil and enjoy! ♥

Valentines Chocolate Bark ♥

Supercute for valentines!  ♥

you will need the following...

Cherry M&Ms.

Assorted heart sprinkles and cherry candy flavoring. Be sure to use candy flavoring and NOT EXTRACT. Candy flavoring is oil based and will not make your chocolate seize up.

About 2 cups each of Pink Candy Melts and Dark Chocolate Candy Melts. Notice  These wafers melt much more quickly and smoothly than regular candy melts and I use them often.

Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave according to package directions. Spread on a large baking sheet that is lined with wax paper. PlaceMelt pink candy melts according to package directions. Stir in about 1/4 teaspoon of cherry candy flavoring (or more to taste). Spread melted candy over the chocolate. in the refrigerator to harden.

Immediately sprinkle with candy and sprinkles. Place pan back in the refrigerator until set, then break into pieces.

enjoy! :)

Valentine Jello Shots ♥

 It's Monday.. but here's a supercute recipe to perk you up!  A fun idea for jello shots, why not turn them into valentine's hearts!
 Supercute right? and you don't need a valentine to make them! ♥

Ingredients ♥

1 3oz package cherry flavored Jello gelatin mix

1 cup boiling water

1 cup vodka

Directions ♥

 I poured the mixture in a heart-shaped silicone mold I have.

Let set 4-6 hours at least, best overnight.

wine lollipops for valentines! ♥

heres a supercute idea for your wine for valentines enjoy! :)

Red Wine Lollipops Yield: About 12 lollipops Note: You will need hard candy lollipop molds or a silicone mat. If those are not readily available, parchment-lined cookie sheets will also work. 1 1/2 cups sweet red wine -wine should be no more than 18% alcohol by volume (I used Port) 3 tablespoons corn syrup 3/4 cup sugar 1/8 tsp. kosher salt 12 Lollipop sticks Gold luster dust *optional Bring red wine to a simmer in a small saucepan. Simmer wine until reduced to 1/3 cup, this should take about 20-25 minutes. Remove from stove-top and let cool completely. In a medium saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, salt and wine reduction. Stir until combined. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally with a heat-proof spatula until all sugar granules have dissolved. Boil until candy temperature registers 298-310 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and fill greased lollipop molds with the hot candy. Place lollipop sticks in the stick crevices and rotate until the stick is coated in the hot candy. Alternatively, you may also drop the hot candy from a spoon onto a silicone mat or parchment paper, making two to three-inch disks and leaving room to place -and rotate- the lollipop sticks. Allow the lollipops to harden completely. These are best if you wait a day to consume them, as this gives the red wine flavor plenty of time to develop. Embellish with luster dust if desired and store between sheets of parchment in an airtight container enjoy! :) TIPS: Many of you are having trouble with the candy burning. I just made these again to make sure I didn't make a mistake or leave something important out. Mine came out perfectly, again. I suggest boiling the candy to 298 degrees instead of 310 degrees (the candy will keep cooking a little after it is removed from the heat source). The candy will caramelize just slightly, but it should not be - or taste- burnt. I use a digital thermometer, as it is easier to read. Also, don't use a large pan in which to boil the candy, or it will certainly burn. If candy continues to burn, it could be your pan - you may try adding a couple of tablespoons of water or wine from the bottle to the reduction/sugar/corn syrup/salt mixture.

Valentine's Heart Roasted Potatoes ♥

Here's a supercute idea for valentines, heart shaped roasted potatoes.enjoy!♥

Roasted Potatoes

6 large potatoes(about 2 pounds for 4 servings)

Ingredients  ♥

1/4cup extra virgin olive oil

1tbl kosher salt

freshly ground pepper

2tsp caraway seeds

1/2tsp paprika(optional)

Make Heart Cutouts

• Fill a pot with about 1quart -2quart of water to boil, add about 1tbl salt

• In the meantime peel (red or white), potatoes, slice them , using a small metal cookie cutter cut out as many hearts as you can. Reserve scraps in water, you can also par-cook scraps or make mashed potatoes
• Cook potatoes in boiling water for 3 minutes, drain potatoes and let cool slightly
• Combine all the ingredients for the marinade
• In a bowl combine par-cooked potatoes and marinade and let sit for 20-30 minutes
• Preheat oven to 400F
• Line baking sheet with aluminum foil, spray with non-stick spray
• Spread marinaded potatoes evenly onto the baking sheet
• Roast them for 20 minutes, using an off set silicone spatula carefully turn the potatoes as needed(don't forget to use oven mittens when handling hot baking sheet!)
• If your oven has a broiler, broil potatoes for additional 5 minutes or so until they are golden on the outside You can omit caraway seed and use rosemary, or other herbs you like.
  You can also add Garlic, just make sure you add the garlic no more than 2-3 minutes before you plan and enjoy! :)

Valentine's DIY Heart Shaped Pizza ♥

Heres a supercute idea for valentines! serve a healthy version of the standard margarita pizza for valentiine's enjoy! ♥

Ingredients ♥

Pizza Dough

Add 1 package yeast whole wheat and 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar to 1 cup warm water. Mix together and let sit 5 minutes. In another bowl combine 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 2 1/2 cups flour ~ add yeast mixture and mix thoroughly. Let rest for 10 minutes. Knead dough slightly on a floured surface then pat 

1 cup pizza sauce

1 ball fresh mozzarella, sliced

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

basil leaves for garnish

2 cloves fresh garlic minced

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions ♥

preheat oven 400 degrees. Also preheat pizza stone/brick if you have one.

Roll dough into a large disk, . Shape dough into heart shape.( I use a knife to cut edges into a heart) Top with sauce, then cheeses. Transfer parchment paper to pizza brick or cookie sheet and bake until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Top with basil leaves.sprinkle with olive oil and enjoy! ♥

valentine's caprese ♥

so its february and around the corner is valentine's, here is a supercute way to update your caprese recipe for valentines! enjoy!

• Fresh mozzarella
• Tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Heart-shaped cookie cutter
• Good quality extra virgin olive oil
• Good quality balsamic vinegar
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

1.  Cut the mozzarella into 1/4” thick slices. Use a cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from each slice. Wrap and refrigerate the scraps of cheese for snacking on later.
2. Slice the tomatoes into 1/4” thick slices. Try to use tomatoes that are about the same size around as the mozzarella for a more attractive presentation.
3. Layer the mozzarella, tomato, and basil on a platter.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
5. Sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy!

vodka watermelon fruit hearts ♥

Buy a miniature watermelon and a 375 ml bottle of vodka.

Cut a circle in the skin of the watermelon, exposing the fruit inside.

Open the vodka bottle. Insert the open bottle with good force into the exposed fruit. Note that this will not work in seedless watermelons.

Let the vodka bottle sit for a while. Do this until the entire bottle has been absorbed into the fruit.

Wait a little longer after the bottle is empty. This will ensure that the watermelon can absorb all the delicious flavoring.

Remove Vodka bottle. Slice fat’n juicy melon in ½ vertically. Flesh side down slice each half —in ½ vertically again. Place flat and cut in ¾ inch slices.

Get out the aspic cutters and start cutting stars and hearts like cookies

Place hearts and stars in hard plastic containers for transport. They are juicy and fragile. Sprinkle with extra vodka, if any, ha! and drain.

At the party add the infused hearts. display on a pretty plate

serve and enjoy.