A Valentine’s Day to Remember
Tricks to keep floral arrangements fresh florists like to cut the stems under waVarious strategies can Some ter to prevent air bubbles from forming in the stems. Choose an arrangement first, then cut place the flowers in water quickly. This help prolong the life of and gives fresh arrangements a good chance to last awhile. freshly cut flowers
Monitor water temperature
METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
Who doesn’t enjoy receiving a fresh bouquet of flowers on a special occasion? Flowers traditionally are given for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries, and other special events. While a beautiful bouquet can make a lovely gift, fresh flowers have finite lasting power. Recipients of floral arrangements need not fret. Various strategies can help prolong the life of freshly cut flowers. Florists employ certain tricks to keep cut flowers fresh longer. In fact, that’s a person’s best bet to keep cut flowers fresh — purchasing arrangements from knowledgeable florists who have done their part to ensure flower longevity. Here are some additional strategies to consider.
Make fresh cuts in stems
Think back to the last time you purchased a fresh Christmas tree. What is the key to ensuring it gets enough water while on display? You guessed it: making a fresh cut in the trunk of the tree. The same concept applies to floral arrangements. Use a sharp scissor or pruning shears to cut about one inch from the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. Continue this process every three days or so. The 45-degree angle prevents the stem from squishing during the cut and enables it to absorb more water.
The temperature of the water in the vase should coordinate with the flowers on display. Do not use hot water or the stems will cook. Room temperature is best for most flowers, except for blooms from bulbs that flower during cooler months, such as tulips and daffodils. They’ll be more likely to thrive in cooler water, according to Consumer Reports.
Chill your arrangement
The experts at FTD by Design tested various theories for keeping floral arrangements fresh, including adding aspirin to the water or using sugar or concoctions that contain vodka. Sugar and vinegar served as a runner-up for long-lasting blooms, but the best solution for prolonging the flowers was putting the arrangement in the refrigerator each night for roughly eight hours.
Prune the foliage
Before placing cut flowers in a vase, remove extra leaves at the base of the stems that will fall underneath the water line. This helps to limit bacteria growth in the water and cuts back on foul odors. Plus, removing foliage focuses flowers’ energy on the main blooms rather than the leaves. These steps can add life to cut flowers, helping arrangements thrive in any home.
Get them in water quickly
Place the flowers in a vase or other vessel with water promptly after making the cuts.
Various strategies can help prolong the life of freshly cut flowers. METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
A Valentine’s Day dessert whipped up in an unusual way Though tried and true gifts never fail, those looking for something a little different this Valentine’s Day can consider these alternatives.
METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
Alternatives to common Valentine’s gifts METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
Millions of people are set to spend untold dollars on Valentine’s Day gifts or experiences this year. Data compiled by InfographicPlaza.com indicates that individuals traditionally spend the most on jewelry, a night out, flowers, apparel, and gift cards on Valentine’s Day. Fifty-two percent of people who buy Valentine’s gifts will spend money on candy, particularly chocolate. Though tried and true gifts never fail, those looking for something a little different this Valentine’s day can consider these alternatives. Traditional: Candy/chocolate Alternative: Baked goods Bite-sized baked offerings can be a welcome change to boxed chocolates or chocolate-covered strawberries. Consider petit fours, which are tasty layered cakes about one to two inches in size. The popular franchise Nothing Bundt Cakes also offers Bundtinis, which are slightly smaller than cupcakes and can be mixed and matched in a variety of
cake flavors. Traditional: Bouquet of a dozen red roses Alternative: Flowering plant Even well-maintained cut bouquets only last so long. A flowering plant can endure much longer. Beautiful interior flowering plants include African violets, Bromeliads, Orchids, Peace lilies, Amaryllis, Christmas cactuses, and Jasmines. Traditional: Dinner out Alternative: Feed the needy Civic-minded sweethearts may appreciate the thought of donating the time and money they might normally spend on a restaurant meal by helping to ensure needy children and adults have access to hot meals. The Feeding America network is a nationwide network of food banks that secures and distributes meals. Individuals can learn more about volunteerism or how to make donations at feedingamerica. org.
Traditional: Linger ie Alternative: Time spent together In a poll of more than 350 women, Business Insider discovered that lingerie was one of the gifts women did not want to receive on Valentine’s Day. In fact, 97% of respondents weren’t fans of receiving lingerie on Valentine’s Day. Spending time together doing something couples are passionate about may be more well-received. Traditional: Stuffed animal Alternative: Adopted animal There are only so many stuffed animals, particularly fuzzy teddy bears, an adult can collect. Instead, why not adopt a shelter animal or donate to an animal rights organization? Before gifting a pet, confirm the recipient is on board with the idea. A pet is a yearslong emotional and financial commitment that requires forethought and planning. Couples can look beyond the traditional when shopping for Valentine’s Day gifts this year.
Decadent treats and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. Couples typically exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day, and those gifts are often accompanied by something sweet. A 2017 survey from Statista found that 44% of respondents intended to purchase candy and sweets for their significant other on Valentine’s Day. That made candy and sweets the most popular Valentine’s Day gift by a considerable margin, well above the likes of other February 14th favorites like greeting cards (33%) and flowers (32%). Romantic dinners still have a place at the Valentine’s Day table, as the Statista survey found that 29 percent of respondents intended to sit down for a romantic meal as part of their celebration. Homemade desserts can be a great way to show that special someone just how much they’re loved. If cooks want to employ the element of surprise, then this recipe for “Ginger Cake” from Will Budiaman’s “The Essential Kamado Grill Cookbook” (Rockridge Press) won’t disappoint. Firing up the grill is sure to pique a loved one’s interest, and the slightly spicy finished product marks a departure from more traditional desserts. Ginger Cake Serves 8 yy 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cubed, plus more for the pan, at room temperature yy 2-1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
yy 2-1⁄2 teaspoons baking pow-
der
yy 4 teaspoons ground ginger yy 1 teaspoon kosher salt yy 1-2⁄3 cups packed light
brown sugar
yy 4 large eggs yy 1⁄2 cup whole milk
1. Bring the grill to 350 F with the cooking grate and heat deflector installed. Butter the bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast iron skillet. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt. 3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes. 4. Reduce the speed to medium-low and add the eggs one at a time. Mix for 1 to 2 minutes or until light tan in color. 5. With the machine running, add the milk. 6. Add the flour mixture, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed, until fully incorporated. Transfer to the skillet. 7. Put the skillet on the grate. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. 8. Put on a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Cooking tip: Cutting butter into small cubes and arranging them in a single layer will help them soften more quickly.
V2 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023
STANDARD-EXAMINER
METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
Chocolate connoisseurs can learn more about the different types of chocolate to find the one their loved one will find most appealing.
Different types of chocolate to give this Valentine’s Day METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
195 25th St., Suite 100, Ogden 801-393-6090 Join us for a fresh made breakfast and the coffee is on us.
Chocolate is a popular gift on Valentine’s Day. According to the Nielsen Company, Valentine’s Day is the third busiest holiday for chocolate sales, following Halloween and Easter. More than 70 million pounds of chocolate are purchased each year and offered as Valentine’s Day gifts. Chocolate connoisseurs can learn more about the different types of chocolate to find the one their loved one will find most appealing. nn Milk chocolate: Milk chocolate is produced with low levels of cocoa and high amounts of sugar and milk. In addition, it contains cocoa butter and chocolate liquor. Milk chocolate often is made up of 3.39% butterfat, 10% chocolate liquor and 12%
milk solids. nn Semi-sweet chocolate: Semi-sweet chocolate is largely an American creation and term. It contains at least 35% cocoa solids and is darker than sweet dark chocolate. The amount of sugar varies across brands. nn Bittersweet chocolate: Bittersweet chocolate typically contains at least 50% chocolate liquor, but some will have between 70 and 80%. The sugar content is unregulated, so one manufacturer’s bittersweet may not be as bitter as another’s. nn Baking chocolate: Also known as bitter chocolate, this is pure chocolate liquor made from ground cocoa beans. It may look like chocolate, but it is used in recipes where it is combined with sugar. It should not be eaten
on its own. nn White chocolate: White chocolate has cocoa butter but no chocolate liquor or cocoa products. Therefore, it is not truly chocolate. nn Candy coating chocolate: This has no cocoa butter and uses vegetable or palm oils in the recipe. It often is used in dipping or enrobing because of its excellent melting ability. nn Couverture chocolate: In the United States, the ideal standard for couverture chocolate involves a minimum of 35% cocoa solids and 31% cocoa butter. This chocolate is tempered and used when coating ingredients or dipping items in chocolate. Chocolate shines on Valentine’s Day. Gift givers can select a chocolate variety that appeals most to their recipients’ palates.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023 | V3
STANDARD-EXAMINER
Pre-Order Your Valentine’s Day Treats Now!
LOVEE’S WEDDING CAKE OPEN HOUSE
Sat., February 25th 2pm-5pm Please RSVP 801-390-6114, space is limited!
801-390-6114 1706 E 5600 S, South Ogden, UT 84403 loveescakes@yahoo.com
The hottest Valentines at Utah’s most unique gift store!
Cards Chocolate Candy Candles Clothing for eveyone on your list!
MOUTH OF OGDEN CANYON • OPEN MON-THURS 10-8, FRI & SAT 10-9, SUN 11-7 • 621-1606
w w w. r a i n b o w g a r d e n s . c o m
V4 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023
STANDARD-EXAMINER
Sweet cookies for your sweetheart METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
Valentine’s Day presents an opportunity to shower loved ones with special gifts, including treats. Dessert is a significant component of Valentine’s Day, as chocolates and cakes are given and consumed in abundance. French macarons are a great sweet for amateur bakers to add to their Valentine’s Day repertoire. Making macarons often is a labor of love, so offering a sweetheart a plate of these chewy, meringue-based cookies really shows you care. Vary the filling of choice depending on your beloved’s favorite flavors. Enjoy this recipe for “French Macarons,” which utilizes the Swiss meringue method, courtesy of Karli Bitner and her “Cooking with Karli” blog. Weighing the ingredients produces more reliable results. French Macarons Make 20 macarons yy 100 grams powdered sugar yy 100 grams superfine almond flour yy 100 grams egg whites yy 100 grams granulated sugar yy Food coloring, if desired Vanilla buttercream filling
9. Add the powdered sugar and almond flour to the bowl and mix with your mixer for 8 seconds. After the 8 seconds is up, use a silicone spatula to stir and smear the batter from the outside of the bowl towards the center. Turn the bowl as you do this to make sure all of the batter gets stirred equally. 10. Do this until your batter thins and is able to drizzle a ribbon of batter for a few seconds without it breaking. 11. Transfer the batter to a piping bag equipped with a round piping tip. 12. Pipe equal circles onto a silicone or parchment-lined cookie sheet. Make sure that your piping bag is straight up and down. Apply equal pressure and release pulling straight back up. Repeat with the remaining batter.
14. Preheat oven to 300 F. 15. Allow the macarons to dry out as the oven preheats, for about 20 to 30 minutes. Your macarons should be dry to the touch before going into the oven.
perature yy 1-1⁄2 cups powdered sugar yy 1 teaspoon vanilla extract yy Up to 2 tablespoons heavy cream yy Food coloring, if desired 1. Measure out all ingredients.
16. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes at 300 F. The macarons should not turn brown. 17. Allow the macarons to cool completely on the pan.
2. Sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour. Set aside.
18. When the macarons are completely cool, make your filling.
3. Add 1 cup of water to your sauce pan or to the liner of your Instant Pot.
5. While the water is heating, add the egg and 3 tablespoons of the measured out sugar to the bowl you’ll be using for the double boiler.
19. Make your filling by combining all ingredients using either a stand mixer or your electric hand mixer. Slowly add in the heavy cream (you can substitute milk if you’d like) because you want a thick buttercream so it doesn’t squirt out while eating the macaron.
6. Once the water is steaming, place the bowl over the steaming water and whisk until the egg whites are foamy and white. When they are foamy and white, remove the bowl from the pan or Instant Pot and set on a hot pad on the counter. Turn off the burner or Instant Pot.
20. Once the buttercream is mixed together and your desired consistency, gently pipe some frosting onto the bottom side of one cookie and then sandwich the frosting with the bottom side of a second cookie to create your macaron.
7. Add the remaining sugar to the egg
21. Repeat with remaining cookies.
4. Heat the water over medium heat until steaming.
METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE
8. Add the food coloring now if you’d like to color your macarons. Mix until combined.
13. Bang the pan gently but firmly onto the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles.
yy 4 tablespoons butter, at room tem-
Enjoy this recipe for “French Macarons,” which utilizes the Swiss meringue method, courtesy of Karli Bitner and her “Cooking with Karli” blog.
whites and mix using an electric hand mixture until the egg whites are white, glossy and can form stiff peaks.
The Big Game Game + Food + Drinks - $35
Sunday, February 12th, 2023 - 4:00PM Call us Today to Reserve your spot! 801.399.2000 2271 S Washingtosn Blvd. Ogden UT 84401
Call aFtioorns! Reserv
Valentine’s PRIX FIXE MENU $75
Starter
SMOKED PORK EN CREPINETTE
Crispy Pork Belly/ Minced Pork/ Tender Frisee / Soy Chili Glaze / Pickled Onions
Intermezzo
French Pear/ Carbonated Grapes / Raspberry Coulis
Entree
HERB CRUSTED LAMB RACK
Sous Vide Lamb Rack / Fresh Herb Crust / Curried Banana Cauliflower Puree / Candied Carrot / Charred Onion Fluid Gel/ Whipped Fetta Coulis
Desserts
LOVERS TARTLET
Try Our Specially Brewed Beer
(Brewed by UTOG Brewing Company)
2259 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401
801-627-8288 Mon-Sat 4PM to 10PM; Sun. 4PM-9PM Tokyo Station Accepts Walk-ins Only (**Reservation only accepted for large parties of 60+ and only before business hours contact Miguel Hernandez at 801-668-2594 to book your large party reservation)
www.TokyoStationUtah.com
Buttery Tart Shell/ Caramel Ganache / Praline Crisp / Chocolate Mousse / Toasted Meringue Menu and Gastronomy Created by Executive Chef Overturf & Culinary team
2271 S Washington Blvd Ogden, UT 84401 • 801.399.2000 • ogdenut.hgi.com
OPEN 3:00PM VALENTINE’S DAY! Walk-ins only.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023 | V5
STANDARD-EXAMINER
DINE IN & TAKE OUT 4780 Old Post Road, Ogden Utah 84403
801-476-0476
FOR THE LOVE OF ITALIAN!
FLOWERS ARE LOVE; THEY BRING COLOR TO THE WORLD!
10% OFF
Place Your Valentine’s Order Now!
Expires 2/28/2023.
40 Years Serving Our Community!
Your Total Purchase
Lund Floral
BIG GAME DAY We Are Open For Take Out Only Noon-3pm!! Tuesday - Thursday: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday & Saturday: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Closed Sundays & Mondays
483 12 th Street Ogden, UT 84404
(801) 627-2424 www.lundfloral.net “Quality with a personal touch”
Valentine's Day at
February 10th-14th, and 17th-18th *reservations recommended
VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER: $25 PER PLATE INCLUDES: 8 oz Flat Iron Steak 4 oz Lobster Tail Rosemary Country Potatoes & Asparagus
$8 DESSERT: Strawberry Cake to Share Our regular menu will also be available
258 HISTORIC 25TH STREET IN OGDEN 801.781.5005 MYCRAFTBURGER.COM
V6 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023
STANDARD-EXAMINER
Follow Us at
@javiersmex Utah Family-Owned & Operated for Over 31 Years!
Dinner is better when we eat it together! We welcome you and your family on Valentine’s Day!
Dine-In Online Contactless Ordering
DoorDash At Participating Restaurants.
Best Mexican
“Thank You! We appreciate all your support through the years!”
WINNER!! #1 — Javier Chavez
OGDEN • SOUTH OGDEN • HARRISVILLE • FARMINGTON • LAYTON FIND US ONLINE AT JAVIERSMEXICANFOOD.COM