The Love Affair I Just Can’t Quit

Each year, nearly one billion Valentine’s cards, including the homemade variety, are given across America.  And while some people dislike its commercialization, I enjoy Valentine’s Day for its simplicity. The very thought of February 14^th transports me back to elementary school days, carefully cutting out half of a heart along a folded piece of construction paper, and trading chalky multicolored candies with little inscribed messages.

As an adult, I continue to appreciate the holiday because it offers me a chance to creatively celebrate love with my family, but I must admit that I mostly enjoy it because I get to cozy up to one of the its most famous celebrities -  chocolate.

Chocolate doesn’t last long in my presence, but it goes a long way to making me feel insanely happy. I’ll even admit that my love affair has at times verged on extreme. I have attended the famous International Chocolate Festival, and eaten at chocolate restaurants. I have tried lavender chocolate, spicy chocolate and visited chocolate boutiques in Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

 

 I always joke that since it comes from a plant, it should be considered a vegetable, and indeed the dark variety does have healthful properties. But from whence did this wondrous substance originate?

My brother visited Ecuador and prepared chocolate from cacao beans. I'm so jealous...

Historically, the Aztecs were one of the first groups of people to appreciate chocolate. And their admiration was also extreme. They used its raw ingredient, cacao beans, not only in a frothy beverage served daily to the king in golden goblets, but also as currency. (These people had it right!) Upon his arrival, Spanish conquistador Cortez was so impressed with the stuff that he brought the beans back to Spain, where sugar and spices were added. Spain kept chocolate a secret, and it was enjoyed exclusively by Spanish nobility for nearly a century before spreading throughout Europe and eventually to America. Yes, my favorite of all confections thankfully lasted the test of time and lived up to its original Greek name which is translated to mean “food of the gods.”

Chocolate pizza at NY's Max Brenner's is an all-time fave.

Store shelves stocked with heart-shaped boxes bring a smile to my face every February. I always know that when Valentine’s Day rolls around, I will at least receive one or two gifts of chocolate from my family, and another three of four from myself, leaving me perfectly happy. Last year my husband even splurged and took me to a chocolate fondue restaurant. In honor of that amazing memory, I developed an affordable confection that is easy and fun to make, and beyond delicious to eat. I hope the following recipe inspires you to enjoy the simple pleasures of chocolate with your family this month. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Becca’s Chocolate Covered Crispy Rice Heart Pops

1 bag of marshmallows
8 ½ cups of crispy rice cereal
¼ cup of butter
1 bag of Ghirardelli chocolate chips
Sprinkles or other candy to decorate
Cake pop sticks

Melt the butter in a large pot, add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Add crispy rice cereal and mix well. Spread mixture firmly and evenly on wax paper using the back of a greased spoon and allow to cool. Cut out hearts using a heart-shaped cookie cutter and insert cake pop sticks. Place in freezer for 30 minutes.

Over a double boiler, stir chocolate pieces constantly until completely melted. Remove hearts from freezer, quickly dip into chocolate and place on wax paper. Freeze for an additional 30 minutes to cool if you can handle waiting. Enjoy!

I always seem to bump into chocolate, even on the streets of NY!