Martha Stewart Good Things Valentine's Day

Good THINGS FRESH IDEAS TO ELEVATE THE EVERYDAY

| CELEBRATE |

Fold Me Now Show your affection with every pleat of these hearts. The trick to our ruffled valentines is to cut the paper into a capsule shape first.

Then fold them accordion-style, pinch them in half, and secure with tape.

Go to marthastewart.com/foldedhearts for templates and a detailed how-to, and set your love notes aflutter.

TEXT BY ELENI N. GAGE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PERNILLE LOOF

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We made this blushing array from vellum, crepe paper, and pages from a drawing pad.

Add a few strokes and splatters of paint, and seal each one with a kiss.

MARTHA STEWART LIVING

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GOOD THINGS

| QUICK CRAFT |

Zoo Keepers Classmates will go wild for cute fox and panda cards made from paper hearts.

Get the templates at marthastewart .com/zoocards, then let your cubs cut and paste them with their own two paws.

| MAKE & GIVE |

Do the Twist Nothing says “2gether 4ever” like a friendship bracelet, and this technique is so speedy, you can weave one for every member of your inner circle. Start with six strands each of two colors of embroidery �loss. Knot one end and clamp it on a clipboard.

Twist each color separately, then twist the two together and tie the end into a loop for fastening. | FAMILY FUN |

Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year, but don’t let that dampen the mood: These easy and thoughtful ideas will brighten a weekday breakfast.

The night before, make the parfaits by layering jam, chopped pistachios, and yogurt in jars; cover and put them in the fridge. Then cut Xs, Os, and hearts out of parchment paper. In the morning, spread a few pieces of bread with butter, lay the stencils on top, sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar, and pop them in the oven at 425° (just peel off the parchment afterward). Meanwhile, sp oon warmed jam into a resealable plast ic bag, snip a corner, and pipe out three dots on each yogurt. Drag a toothpick through them for the final flourish, and call everyone to the table for a major lovefest.

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Present them in folded-heart envelopes.

PETER ARDITO (R ADIATOR COVERS)

Sweet Starts

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| RECIPE REMIX |

SOUP Rx Medical experts and grandmas the world over concur that chicken soup is good for what ails you. Another pesky condition it cures? The dinnertime blues. Our international riffs couldn’t be simpler, since they all st art with the same two ingredients: store-bought rotisserie chicken and low-sodium chicken broth (buy it, or use our recipe at marthastewart.com/chicken broth). Just add vegetables and spices for a supper that’s ready minutes after it comes to a simmer.

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GINGER SPICE

In a saucepan over medium‑high heat, sauté 1 thinly sliced garlic clove, ¼ teaspoon turmeric, and 1 teaspoon grated ginger in 1 tea‑ spoon extra-virgin olive oil, 30 seconds. Add 6 cups broth; bring to a simmer. Add 3 ounces angelhair pasta, broken in half; cook 1 minute less than per package instructions. Add 1 cup shredded chicken; heat through, 1 minute.

Remove from heat. Stir in 2 table‑ spoons fresh lemon juice. Serve with scallions and microgreens.

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CHICKEN POSOLE

In a saucepan, bring 1 quart broth to a simmer. Stir in ¼ cup guajillochile salsa (we like Frontera); a 15‑ounce can of hominy, rinsed and drained; 1½ teaspoons sherry vinegar; and 1 cup shredded chicken.

Cook until chicken and hominy are heated through, about 1 min‑ ute. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with fresh cilantro.

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GREEN THAI

In a saucepan, sauté 1½ cups chopped sweet bell peppers in 1 tablespoon sa�lower oil over medium‑high heat until softened, 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon green Thai curry paste (we like Maesri); cook 30 seconds. Add 1 quart broth; bring to a simmer. Add 1 cup shredded chicken and 2 cups sliced baby bok choy. Cook until bok choy is just wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice.

Season with salt and pepper.

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LEMONY PESTO

In a saucepan, bring 6 cups broth to a simmer. Add ½ cup orzo and cook 1 minute less than per pack‑ age instructions. Add 1 cup shred‑ ded chicken and heat through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Divide among bowls. Add 1 tablespoon pesto (we like Gotham Greens) to each. Serve with grated Parmesan, pea shoots or other delicate greens, fresh basil, and a lemon wedge.

MARTHA STEWART LIVING

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GOOD THINGS | PARTY STARTER |

Victory Dip | GIFTED |

Some people watch the Super Bowl for the ads. We’re in it for the apps. Dig into our spicy queso fundido and you’ll see why. It’s best eaten st raight from the oven, but because it’s bubbling and delicious after only 10 minutes, you don’t have to miss any act ion to serve it up hot. Slice chiles and onions and sauté them during the pregame show. Pile creamy mozzarella and crumbled goat cheese on top, st ick the whole pan in the broiler, and step out of the way while your guest s huddle up.

A Small Fortune Everyone can use a little extra luck. Citrus, the traditional token of Chinese New Year, symbolizes a fresh start, and a whole pomelo (a less tart, more perfume-y cousin of the grapefruit) signifies abundance and unity.

Wrap one in auspicious red netting, tuck in a leaf tag, and pay some positivity forward.

Pearson Ranch pomelos, from $20 for 6, pearsonranch.com.

Royal plastic mesh, in Red, $21 for 250 pieces, amazon.com.

QUESO FUNDIDO Preheat broiler. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium‑high heat, cook 1 cup thinly sliced poblano chile in 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 3 minutes. Add 1¼ cups thinly sliced onion. Season with kosher salt. Cook until poblanos are slightly charred, 4 minutes. Add 1

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sliced serrano chile (seeds removed for less heat, if desired); cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 1 pound cubed low-moisture mozzarella (such as Polly‑O) and 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese. Broil until bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes.

Serve with jicama, radishes, and tortilla chips.

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More Dynamic Duos Radiator covers come in patterns and metals aplenty. Brass Union Jacks look sharp against a navy backdrop (left), but also consider these color pairings: cop‑ per chain link on a rose board, silver lincane on dark pink, and gold clover‑ leaf on lavender.

| CLUTTER CONTROL |

THE DETAILS: M-D Building Products Union Jack aluminum radiator screen, 24" by 36", in Brass, $20, home depot.com. Hay Denmark giant gold push pins, $6.50 for 5; and clip for 2 pens, $8, themodern shop.com. Coco gold wall pocket, $10; and Grid brass magazine rack, $30, cb2.com.

Command Central Radiator screens do a nice job covering heaters, but they’ve got so much more design potential. With their graphic patterns and polished finishes, the inexpensive overlays can make a basic bulletin board look like a million bucks. We mounted a brass one over a panel of linen-wrapped Masonite panel, securing it with a few grommets and screws (get instructions at marthastewart.com/masoniteboardhowto). Use extra-long thumbtacks to pin up a calendar, phone numbers, and invitations. Add a clip for keys, and a magazine holder beneath to stow mail. Organized and chic? Indeed.

MARTHA STEWART LIVING

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GOOD THINGS

| PARTY STARTER |

Victory Dip Some people watch the Super Bowl for the ads. We’re in it for the apps. Dig into our spicy queso fundido and you’ll see why. It’s best eaten st raight from the oven, but because it’s bubbling and delicious after only 10 minutes, you don’t have to miss any act ion to serve it up hot. Slice chiles and onions and sauté them during the pregame show. Pile creamy mozzarella and crumbled goat cheese on top, st ick the whole pan in the broiler, and step out of the way while your guests huddle up.

A Small Fortune Everyone can use a little extra luck. Citrus, the traditional token of Chinese New Year, symbolizes a fresh start, and a whole pomelo (a less tart, more perfume-y cousin of the grapefruit) signifies abundance and unity.

Wrap one in auspicious red netting, tuck in a leaf tag, and pay some positivity forward.

Pearson Ranch pomelos, from $20 for 6, pearsonranch.com.

Royal plastic mesh, in Red, $21 for 250 pieces, amazon.com.

QUESO FUNDIDO Preheat broiler. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium‑high heat, cook 1 cup thinly sliced poblano chile in 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 3 minutes. Add 1¼ cups thinly sliced onion.

Season with kosher salt. Cook until poblanos are slightly charred, 4 minutes. Add 1 sliced

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serrano chile (seeds removed for less heat, if desired); cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add 1 pound cubed low-moisture mozzarella (such as Polly‑O) and 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese. Broil until bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with jicama, radishes, and tortilla chips.

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EVERYDAY FOOD

| PARTY STARTER |

Victory Dip Some people watch the Super Bowl for the ads. We’re in it for the apps. Dig into our spicy queso fundido and you’ll see why. It’s best eaten st raight from the oven, but because it’s bubbling and delicious after only 10 minutes, you don’t have to miss any act ion to serve it up hot. Slice chiles and onions and sauté them during the pregame show. Pile creamy mozzarella and crumbled goat cheese on top, st ick the whole pan in the broiler, and step out of the way while your guests huddle up.

A Small Fortune Everyone can use a little extra luck. Citrus, the traditional token of Chinese New Year, symbolizes a fresh start, and a whole pomelo (a less tart, more perfume-y cousin of the grapefruit) signifies abundance and unity.

Wrap one in auspicious red netting, tuck in a leaf tag, and pay some positivity forward.

Pearson Ranch pomelos, from $20 for 6, pearsonranch.com.

Royal plastic mesh, in Red, $21 for 250 pieces, amazon.com.

GUT TER CREDIT

QUESO FUNDIDO Preheat broiler. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium‑high heat, cook 1 cup thinly sliced poblano chile in 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 3 minutes. Add 1¼ cups thinly sliced onion.

Season with kosher salt. Cook until poblanos are slightly charred, 4 minutes. Add 1 sliced

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NAMETK NAME

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serrano chile (seeds removed for less heat, if desired); cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add 1 pound cubed low-moisture mozzarella (such as Polly‑O) and 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese. Broil until bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with jicama, radishes, and tortilla chips.

MARTHA STEWART LIVING

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