Happy Valentine's Day

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Need some inspiration for a sweet treat for that special someone in your life?? Here are a few great treats that are sure to make your sweetheart swoon!

1.Chocolate Valentino Cake The name says it all! This rich decadent flourless chocolate cake will have your sweetie falling at your feet...end you don't have to tell them how easy it is to make!
2. Strawberry Panna Cotta  So pretty and delicious...the perfect end to a romantic dinner.
3.Brown Sugar Fruit Dip...perfect paired with ripe strawberries....or anything else you want to dip. Use you imagination!...umm I was thinking like pineapple or grapes...what were you thinking??? wink wink
4.Knock-off Salted Chocolate Caramel Candies  Made with store bought caramel squares, these take only a few minutes to make but will have your Valentine begging for more!
5. Pink Champagne Cake It's cake made with Champagne...what's not to love!
6. Chocolate Espresso Mousse Richly chocolate but light and fluffy. Definitely swoon inducing!
(from left to right)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Strawberry Panna Cotta

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Panna Cotta is on of my favorite desserts, so when I saw this recipe for strawberry panna cotta, I had to give it a try. Strawberries and panna cotta sounded like the perfect combo. Not only is it a wonderful dessert, but it's pink too!  What better to celebrate Valentine's day with your sweetheart with than a creamy, delicious, pink panna cotta.
Panna cotta can be placed in ramekins and unmolded, or for an even simpler but elegant presentation, simply pour the mixture into a martini glasses or other glassware. 
Strawberry Panna  Cotta
(Printable recipe) 
source: Gourmet  | May 2002
Ingredients:
3 cups sliced strawberries (1 pound)
1 3/4 cups well-shaken low-fat buttermilk
6 tablespoons sugar* (or more according to taste)
2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin, from less than 2 (1/4-oz) envelopes
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream

Method:
Blend strawberries, buttermilk, and sugar in a blender until very smooth, then pour through a very fine sieve into a medium bowl, pressing hard on solids. Discard solids.
Sprinkle gelatin over milk in a small bowl and let stand 1 minute to soften. Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and add gelatin mixture, stirring until dissolved. Whisk cream mixture into strawberry purée and pour into molds or glasses. Chill, covered, until firm, at least 8 hours.To unmold, dip molds in a small bowl of hot water 2 or 3 seconds, then invert panna cottas onto dessert plates and remove molds. If you don't want to unmold the panna cotta, just serve if you them in whatever you chilled them in.
I topped mine with a little bit of whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
 * Note: I added 2 extra tablespoons of sugar. I tasted the base and it was a little too tart for my taste.

My sweetie pie is still in Iraq, so I guess I'll have to make it again when he gets home.

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!