Valentine's Day Inspo

Happy Monday! With Valentine's Day later this week, I've been combing through my recipe binders (yes, binders.... that will be a future blog post) looking for a recipe to surprise my two Valentine's. I contemplated taking the easy road and buying a box of chocolates, but nothing says you are special more than a decadent treat that you've made with labor and love. Chocolate Molten Lava Cake, creamy Creme Brulee, Red Velvet Cake, Salted Carmel Chocolate Tart, Brown Butter and Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies? I've got some good recipes in these binders!

Eventually, I decided to go with an old stand-by that I've been making for special occasions courtesy of Ina. I have admired the Barefoot Contessa for years and only use her first name, because in my mind she's my best friend :) I know I'm not alone - who doesn't love Ina? Ina Garten's French Chocolate Bark. Easy, yet impressive... this recipe checks all the boxes for a Valentine's Day treat. Watch the master at work!

If cashews, apricots and cranberries aren't your thing, don't worry. Ina has a few variations of this recipe including White Chocolate Bark and Rocky Road Chocolate Bark. I love her recipes because they're usually easy and always turn out fabulously. Check out Ina's Back to Basics. It's one of my favorite cookbooks filled with go-to recipes.

Now, how do we get Ina to curate a CrateChef box? Maybe dreams can come true.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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