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Valentine’sDayMovieNightSnacksIngredients:FortheCake:

• 1cupAPFlour(plusmorefordusting)• ¼cupUnsweetenedCocoaPowder• ½teaspoonBakingSoda• ¼teaspoonSalt• 4ouncesChocolateChips• ½stickButter,cutintopieces• ½cupLightBrownSugar• 1Egg• 3tablespoonsRedFoodColoring

Instructions:

1. Whisktogetherflour,cocoapowder,bakingsodaandsaltinsmallbowl,setaside.2. Heat1-2inchesofwaterinsaucepanuntilboiling,putmixingbowlontopandlower

heattosimmer.Addchocolate,butter,andbrownsugartotopbowl,stiruntilmostlymelted.Removefromdoubleboilerandstiruntilbutterhasmeltedcompletely.Setaside.

3. Pourwarmchocolatemixtureintostandmixer.Beatonlow,thenaddeggandmixuntilblended.

4. Addflourinthirdsuntilcompletelyincorporated.5. Addfoodcoloringandmixtocombine.Thiswillbeastickydough.

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6. Dividedoughinhalf.Rolleachhalfoutontoparchmentpaper,usingmoreflouracrossthetopwherenecessarytokeeprollingpinfromstickingtodough.Placedough(onparchment)ontoacookiesheetandslideintothefreezerfor20-30minutes,untilfirmbutnotfrozen.

7. Heatovento350˚.Removeonesheetofdoughfromfreezerandflipitontocounter.Peelparchmentfromback.Usingheartcookiecutter,cutoutlittleheartsandplaceonbakingsheetwith½inchbetweeneachcookie.

8. Bakecookiesuntillightlytoastedandfirmtothetouch,about9-11minutes.9. Transfercookiestocoolingrack.

CaramelMascarponeWhip:

• 18-ouncepackageMascarpone• 1cupHeavyCream• ⅓cupCaramelSauce• ¼cupPowderedSugar• ½teaspoonVanillaExtract

Instructions:

1. Beatmascarponewithhandmixeruntillightandfluffy.2. Addheavycream,continuewhippingfor2-3minutes,untilvoluminous.3. Addpowderedsugar,vanilla,andcaramelsauce,beatorfolduntiljustcombined.4. Servewithredvelvetchocolatecookiehearts.

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ConversationHeartCakesInstructions:

1. Useyourfavoritecaketocutouthearts,usingaheart-shapedcookiecutter.(Usebigenoughheartcookiecutterthatwillallowenoughroomforwriting.

2. Placeheartsinfridgetoharden.OPTIONAL:Cutheartsinhalfandputfrostinginthemiddleandsandwichthetwohalvestogether.Youcanalsofrosttheedgesasacrumbcoattoguaranteesmoothedges.

3. Meltchocolatecoatedcandiesandaddcoconutoiltocreateathinnerconsistency.NOTE:Useacoolingrackplacedonasheettraytoplaceheartcakeson,sothatthereisaplaceforthechocolatedrippingstopool.

4. Takeoutheartcakesfromfridge,anddripmeltedchocolateoverthehearts.5. Placechocolatecoveredheartsonasheettraylinedwithwaxpaper,andplacein

fridgetocool.6. Takeoutoffridgeandpipeon“conversations”withyourfavoritefrostings.

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MexicanFrittataTotaltime:25min,Yield:2to4servingsIngredients:

• ½tablespoonoliveoil• 2to3greenonions/scallions,sliced(whiteandpalegreenpartsonly)• 3largeeggs• 1tablespoonwater• 1tablespoonchoppedfreshcilantroleaves• Saltandfreshlygroundblackpepper• ¼cupMexicancremaorsourcream• ¼cupshreddedOaxacaormozzarellacheese

Instructions:

1. Preheattheovento425degreesF.2. Inan8-inch,nonstick,oven-proofsautépan,heattheoilovermediumheat.Addthe

scallionsgreenonionsandcookuntilsoft,about3minutes.3. Meanwhileinamediumbowl,beattheeggswith1tablespoonofwater.Addcilantro

andseasonwithsaltandpepper.4. Addeggmixturetopanandcook.5. Cookforabout8minutesliftingtheedgeswithaspatula,toallowanyuncookedegg

toflowtothebottom.6. PourtheMexicancremaoverthetopandsprinklewiththecheese.7. Transferthepantotheovenandbakeuntilpuffedandgolden,about8to10

minutes.Servewarmoratroomtemperature.

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Cider,Apple,andSageRoasterPorkChopswithBrownButterGorgonzolaPolentaPrepTime:20minsCookTime:20minsTotalTime:40minsServes4Ingredients:ForthePorkChops:

• 4inboneporkchopsabout¾inthick• 2tablespoonsoliveoil• Koshersaltandblackpepper• 2tablespoonsbrownsugar• ½cupfreshsageleaves• 4tablespoonsbutter• 1cupapplecider• 1-2inchipotlepeppersadobochopped(optional)• 1tablespoonsfreshthyme,chopped• 2apples,sliced

ForthePolenta:

• 1½cupsmilk• 1½cupswater• 1cuppolenta• 2tablespoonsbutter

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• 2-4ouncescrumbledgorgonzolacheese(maysubparmesan)• Koshersaltandblackpepper

Instructions:

1. Tomakethepolenta.Heatasmallskilletovermediumheat.Addthebutterandcookuntilbrownedandtoasted.

2. Pourthewaterandmilkintoamediumsizesaucepanandbringtoaboil.Lowertheheattomediumandslowlywhiskinthepolenta.Cook,stirringfrequently,untilthepolentaissoftandthick,about15to20minutes.Keepwarmandthenjustbeforeserving,stirinthegorgonzolacheeseandbrownedbutter,seasonwithsaltandpepper.

3. Meanwhile,preheattheovento450degreesF.4. Heatalargeovensafebraisingskilletovermediumhighheat.Rubtheporkchopsall

overwitholiveoil.Sprinkleeachsideofthechopswithsalt+pepperandthenrubthebrownsugaron.Nowgrab3-4sageleavesandpressthemontheporkchops,theyshouldstickontothechops,butdon'tworryiftheyfalloffduringcooking.

5. Oncetheskilletishot,butnotsmoking,addtheporkchopsandsearuntilbothsidesarecaramelized,about2-3minutesperside.Addthebuttertothepanandallowittobrown,about1minute.Slowlypourintheciderandaddthechipotlepeppers(ifusing)+thyme.Bringthesaucetoaboilandthenremovefromtheheat.Sprinkletheappleslicesaroundthepork.

6. Placetheskilletintheovenandroastfor15-20minutesoruntiltheporkiscookedtoyourdesireddonenessandthesaucehasthickenedintoaglaze.Iftheporkisdonebeforethesauceisthick,justremovetheporkfromthepanandplacethepanbackonthestove.Bringthesaucetoaboilandcookuntilithasthickened.

7. Toserve,dividethepolentaamongplates.Addaporkchop,applesandtheglazefromthepan.

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RaindropCakeIngredients:

• ½tspagar• 2cupsspring/bottledwater• Brownsugar• Kinakopowder• RaindropCakeMold• WoodenBoat

Instructions:ForRaindropCake:

1. Inasmallpot,add½tspofagarto2cupsspring(orbottled)waterandstir.2. Heatonmedium/highfor3-4minutes,untilboiling.Stiroften.3. Boilsolutionuntilalltheagarisgoneandwaterlooksclear.4. Removefromheatandpourintomeasuringcupandletcoolfor5minutes.5. Carefullypourintomoldandsetfor2hoursatroomtemperature.(Donot

refrigeratetosetoritwillsticktomold).6. Afterithassetyoucanputthemoldintherefrigeratortochill&cool.

ForToppings:

1. Combinedarkbrownsugarand¼cupwatinasmallsaucerandstir2. Heatonlow/medonstove,stiruntilallsugarcrystalsarecompletelydissolved3. Carefullypourintoaheatsafecupsoit’seasytopourwhenyou’rereadytoplate

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ForPlating:1. Carefullyremovecakesfromthemoldbypressingalongtheedgestofreecake,and

gentlylifeoutwithyourfingers.2. Gentlyplacethecakeonawoodenboatwhenyou’rereadytoserve.3. Adddarkbrownsugarsyrupononeside4. Addkinakopowderontheotherside5. Serveandenjoy!

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ChickenMarsalawithPanRoastedFingerlingPotatoesIngredients:

• 4chickenbreasts,trimmed,slicedhorizontallyandthenpoundedthinwithamallet(tip,placeatowelunderthecuttingboard,andplasticwrapoverthechicken)

• 1smallpackagebabybellamushrooms,washedandslicedquarterinchthin• 12shitakemushrooms,stemsremovedandsliced• ½cupflour• 1cupchickenstock• 1cupmarsalawine• Saltandpeppertotaste• 1unsaltedbutter• Severaltbsp..oliveoilforpanfryingchicken• Parsleyforgarnish• 2lbs.fingerlingpotatoes,slicedhorizontally• Parmesanflakes

Instructions:

1. Oncethechickenispoundedthinly,dredgeinsaltedflouranddustoffexcess.2. Panfryinbatchesuntillightlybrownedoneachsideinaskilletonmediumheat(3-

5minutestotal).Removeandsetonaplate.3. Salt,pepperanddeglazewithstockandmarsala.Allowtothickenslightly,scraping

anybitsoffthebottomofthepan,thenaddchickenbacktosauceandsimmerfor5minutes.

4. Serveonabedofroastedpotatoes.Sprinklewithchoppedparsley.

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5. Meanwhile,panfrythefingerlingpotatoes,makingsuretogettheoutsidecrispybrownorroastintheovenpertherecipebelow:

Roastedfingerlingpotatoes:1. HeatoventoRoastat375.Tosspotatoesinacoupletablespoonsofoliveoil.Place

onbakingsheet,makingsurepotatoesdonottouch.Roastfor20minutes,thenflipandroastforanother5-10oruntilgolden.Removeandsprinklewithshavedparmesan.

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SoleMeunièreIngredients:

• 1solefillet,skinon• 3tbspplainflour• 50gbutter• Juiceof1/2lemon• Asmallbunchofasparagus,shavedintothinslices• 125greadytoeatpuylentils• Seasaltandgroundblackpepper• 2tbspoliveoil• 3tbspcapers,drainedandrinsed• Alittleflat-leafparsley,finelychopped,togarnish(optional)

Instructions:

1. Removeanyprominentbonesfromthefishfilletsusingtweezers.Seasontheflourwithsaltandpepperonalargeplateandpressthefilletintothemixtocoatoneitherside.Shakeoffanyexcessandsetasideonacleanplate.

2. Heattheoilinafryingpan,whichisbigenoughtoaccommodatethefishfilletoverahighheat.Addthefishfillet,skin-sidedownandasparagusandcookfor2minutesandthenturnoverthefishaddhalfthebutterandasqueezeoflemonandcookforafurtherminuteuntilgoldenandbuttermelts.Usingafishslice,removethefilletsfromthepanandsetasideonawarmedplate.

3. Placethepanbackoverahighheatandmeltthebutteruntilitisfoaming,thenaddthelemonjuiceandcontinuetocookuntilthebutterturnsanuttygoldenbrown.

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4. Pourthebutter,lemonmixoverthefish.Warmthelentilinthepanwiththeremainingpansauceandservestraightaway.

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CarneEnSuJugo(MexicanBeefStew)Serves:4Ingredients:

• 6baconslices• 2lbs.ribeyesteak,cutintothinstrips • 4tomatillos• 1garlicclove• 2serranochilies• ½yellowonion,brunoise• 4Tcilantro,chiffonade• saltandpeppertotaste• 2cwater• 1boneinbeefshank• 2piecesofkombu• 2tazasdefrijolesdelaollaysucaldo• 1lboffreshnixtamalizedmasa• ½coxtailstock(fromearlyprep)• 3Tsalt

Instructions:

1. Renderthebaconinapan.Removefromheatandreserve.2. Inthesamepan,seasonandseartheribeyeandbeefshankwithalittleofthebacon

fat.Removeandreservetheribeye.3. Inapotcooktheoxtail,tomatillos,chiliesandgarlicinthe2cupsofwaterfor4

hoursonlow.

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4. Removeandblendtomatillos,chiliesandgarlicwith¼cupofthewaterinwhichtheywerecookingin,pourbackinpot.Addthekombu,ribeyemeatanditsjuicetogether,seasontotaste.

5. Coverthepotandcookovermediumheatfor2hours.6. Workfreshmasawith½cupstockfrominitialoxtailbrothand3Tsalt.7. Portionmasain1Tportionsballs,makeindentwithpinkieineachandpoachin

saltedwateruntiltheyfloat,strainanddrizzlewitholiveoiluntilyouneedthem.8. Servewithchochoyotes,pintobeans,bacon,onionandcilantro.

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RaspberryPopHeartsIngredients:ForthePastry

• 2sheetsPuffPastry(10x15)• 1Egg+2tablespoonsMilk(eggwash)• 15-inchheartcutter(oratemplateandasharpknife)

FortheFilling

• 1tablespoonCornstarch• 1tablespoonWater• ¾cupRaspberryJam

FortheGlaze

• 1cupPowderedSugar• 2tablespoonsRaspberryJam• 2tablespoonsMilk

Instructions:

1. Whisktogethercornstarchandwater,thenaddtosaucepanwithraspberryjam.Stiruntilincorporated.

2. Overmedium-lowheat,bringthejamtoabareboil.Whenitbeginstobubble,droptheheattolowandallowittosimmerfor2-3minutes,untilthecornstarchhasbeguntohydrolyzeandthickenthejam.Removefromheatandcoolbeforeusingasfilling.

3. Heatyourovento375˚

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4. Cutsixheartsoutofeachsheetofpuffpastry,thesewillbethebottomsandtopsofthepop-hearts.Peelawayexcesspastryandsaveforanotheruse.

5. Coversheettraywithparchmentpaperandcarefullytransferbottomheartstothetray,leaving~2inchesinbetweeneachheartforexpansion.

6. Whisktogethereggandmilkforeggwash.Brushbottomheartswitheggwash.7. Placetwotablespoonsofthecooledjamfillinginthecenterofeachbottomheart.8. Carefullyplacethetopheartoverthejamfillingandcrimpedgesallaroundtoseal

thedough.9. Brushtopofdoughwitheggwash.10. Bakeheartsonparchmentlinedsheetfor20-25minutes,rotatingthetrayhalfway

throughtoensureevencolor.Theheartsaredonewhenthedoughisgoldenbrownandpuffedup.

11. Removeheartsfromovenandallowtocoolontrayfor5minutesbeforeusingaspatulatoremovethemtoacoolingrack.

12. Whiletheheartsarecooling,maketheglaze.13. Whisktogetherpowderedsugar,raspberryjam,andmilkuntilthinenoughto

drizzle.14. Drizzleraspberryglazeovercoolinghearts,allowtosetforafewminutesbefore

serving.