Valentines Day Dining 2022_02_04

A Blank Slate Media Special Section • Februar y 4, 2022

32 Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022

Valentine’s Day gifts couples enjoy together com) and learn photography tricks or insider tips from established professionals together.

Valentine’s Day is a time to bring smiles to the faces of loved ones - particularly the special someone in a person’s life.

Gifts that appeal directly to spouses or significant others may be the standard, but gifts couple can use together can bring them closer together. The following are some great Valentine’s Day gifts couples can enjoy together. · Quirky mugs: Mug sets come in all shapes and sizes and express various sentiments. Some even feature interlocking designs designed to symbolize that couples are two pieces of one puzzle. Kissing mugs, which look like lips touching when they are brought together, are perfect for

couples who enjoy their morning coffee together. Look for them at www.uncommongoods.com. · Matching robes: Plush terry cloth robes need not be reserved for luxurious stays at premiere hotels. Coordinating robes can be monogrammed and worn on lazy days when gathering in front of a cozy fire. · Charcuterie set: A romantic meal is the start of any Valentine’s Day celebration. Invest in a compact charcuterie board with two matching wine glasses and enjoy the set on date nights at home. · MasterClass lesson: Purchase a MasterClass instructional (www.masterclass.

· Travel excursion: Jet set to an exotic locale with a planned adventure.

Parents can arrange for a sitter, friend or relative to look after the children so the trip provides some one-on-one time.

This trip can serve as the second honeymoon couples dream about. · Custom cornhole set: Couples who love tailgating or opening up their homes (and yards) to guests can purchase monogrammed or custom-carved bean bag toss boards. · Fancy coffee maker: Couples who spend more time in take-out coffee shops than they probably should can brush up on their barista skills at home.

There are plenty of coffee makers on the market that can help couples whip up

lattes, cappuccinos or espressos with ease. · Wine club membership: Couples who enjoy sampling the latest vintages and flavors may enjoy a wine subscription. Winc.com is just one of the delivery services available. Or couples who prefer to be a little more hands-on can experiment with winemaking kits. · Hot tub: What can be more relaxing than soaking in a warm bath of bubbling water? A backyard hot tub turns up the heat on relaxation and time spent together. · Tokens of love: Matching or coordinating bracelets, necklaces or even tattoos can serve as enduring symbols of a couple’s love.

Valentine’s Day gifting may be even more enjoyable when gift-giving focuses on presents couples can enjoy together

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022 • Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide

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34 Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022

How to create a romantic night at home

Romance takes center stage on Valentine’s Day. February 14th is a chance for couples to express romantic sentiments that reflect just how much they care for one another.

The relationship site Marriage.com offers that happily married couples with long histories together manage to preserve some elements present in the early stages of their relationships a time when couples typically make a concerted effort to show affection for one another.

Romance is a key component of successful relationships. Couples may discover they don’t need to leave the house to enjoy a romantic night together.

Hide romantic notes Engage in a romantic scavenger hunt by hiding notes that express thoughtful sentiments and give your partner a list of clues to guide the hunt. Start with a clue such as “Where did we go on our first date?” If it was an Italian restaurant, you can attach the next clue to a bunch of basil in the refrigerator, and so on.

Alternate watching films Both of you probably have all-time favorite movies, but they may not be the same films. Encourage bonding time by queueing up two separate films to watch, yours and your signifi-

cant other’s. Whether one is a rom-com and the other is an action flick, watch them in succession while cuddling on the sofa.

Prepare a meal together Valentine’s Day dinner can be all the more intimate when you dine alone at home. Together, shop for the ingredients for a delicious meal you both enjoy. Pour two glasses of wine and divvy up meal preparation tasks. Steal a few sample bites (and kisses) along the way. Cook to a romantic playlist to really enhance the ambiance.

Dress up the bed Create a warm and inviting bedroom with some luxury bedding.

Splurge on sheets with a high thread count and a new down duvet. Fluffy new pillows and room accents can make the space even more inviting.

This new bedding may inspire extra cuddling together under the covers.

Slow dance When was the last time you enjoyed a dance in each other’s arms?

Turn up “your song” and sway to the beat. Dancing together can rekindle romantic feelings and needn’t be reserved for special occasions like weddings.

Dialing up the romance at home for Valentine’s Day comes down to simple, thoughtful gestures.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022 • Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide

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36 Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022

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A Valentine’s dinner to warm you up Treating that special someone in your life to a delicious meal can be done any time of the year, but is especially poignant and romantic on Valentine’s Day. Even though plenty of people may be tempted to dish up gourmet fare, comfort foods can be equally appealing, especially on a cold February day.

Soup can be both filling, tasty and customized with individuals’ favorite flavors. Italian seasonings and ingredients are on display in this recipe for “Hearty Tuscan Soup” from “Season’s Best: Fast, Fun & Fabulous” by The Pampered Chef® Test Kitchens. Try it for a satisfying Valentine’s meal for two or more.

Hearty Tuscan Soup Serves 8 2 15-ounce cans reduced-sodium pinto beans 1 tablespoon olive oil 8 ounces Italian turkey sausage (about 2 links), casings removed 1 large onion 1 medium sweet potato, peeled 4 garlic cloves 4 cups unsalted chicken stock or chicken broth 1 14.5-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained 1 tablespoon Pampered Chef® Rosemary Herb Seasoning Mix 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 package fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried

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16 melba toast rounds 3 tablespoons shredded Italian cheese blend 1. Drain and rinse pinto beans in a small colander. Transfer half of the beans to a food processor; process until almost smooth. Set aside both whole and mashed beans.

2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or until shimmering. Cook sausage 4 to 6 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles.

3. Wedge onion, then chop. Cut sweet potato into chunks, then coarsely chop. Add onion, sweet potato and garlic to Dutch oven; cook and stir 5 to 6 minutes or until onion is softened.

4. Stir all beans, chicken stock, tomatoes, seasoning mix, and pepper into Dutch oven. Cover; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer, covered, 10 minutes.

5. Preheat broiler. Remove Dutch oven from heat; add spinach. Cover; let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Top soup with melba rounds; sprinkle with cheese.

6. Place Dutch oven 2 to 4 inches from heating element. Broil 2 to 4 minutes or until croutons and cheese are lightly browned. Ladle soup and croutons into bowls.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022 • Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide

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38 Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022 • Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide

Alternatives to common Valentine’s gifts 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/.

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Traditional: Lingerie 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 percent 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 years-long emotional and financial commitment that requires forethought and planning.

Couples can look beyond the traditional when shopping for Valentine’s Day gifts this year.

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40 Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022

The most romantic cities in the world Romance is in the air each February. Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 14 and many couples take advantage of the holiday to express their affection for one another. There are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and couples with the time and means to do so may want to travel to a romantic locale to toast their love for one another.

Each year, the spa experts at the United Kingdom-based SpaSeekers. com reveals its list of the most romantic cities in the world. The list is compiled after considering a host of criteria, including the number of romantic hotels and restaurants based on TripAdvisor tags. The 2021 list was not yet available at press time, but the following are the top 10 romantic getaways according to the 2020 report.

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands 2. Lisbon, Portugal 3. Paris, France 4. Barcelona, Spain 5. Utrecht, Netherlands 6. Copenhagen, Denmark 7. Edinburgh, Scotland 8. Vienna, Austria 9. New York, NY, United States 10. Ibiza Town, Spain

Buy a Gift. Get a Gift.

A Sweet Valentine’s Offer From GN Plaza Merchants We want to make this year’s Valentine’s Day your sweetest ever! So we’re offering a FREE box of chocolate truffles from Great Neck Plaza’s very own nationally acclaimed Kron’s Chocolatier.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR FREE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE TREAT Simply bring a receipt showing a purchase of $50 or more at a qualifying shop or boutique* in Great Neck Plaza to Kron’s Chocolatier, located at 24 Middle Neck Road in Great Neck Plaza. The receipt must show your $50 or more purchase was made at a qualifying Great Neck Plaza store* between February 1 and February 13, 2022.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022 • Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide

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42 Valentine’s Dining & Gift Guide • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, February 4, 2022

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