Anything molded into a heart shape automatically becomes appropriate for a Valentine's Day dessert. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course! It actually makes it much easier to come up with an appropriately thematic treat to end the evening. Nicole, from Pinch My Salt, made up this batch of wickedly delicious looking Naughty Ice Cream Sandwiches, which not only incorporate heart shapes, but lots of rich flavors to get you in the right mindset for celebration. The filling is made of Irish Cream-spiked vanilla ice cream, frozen in a thin layer until firm enough to cut with a cookie cutter. The hearts are made of very thin brownies that have been enhanced with some Kahlua, instant espresso and dark chocolate baked in a jelly-roll pan, then cut with the same heart-shaped cookie cutter. The results are stunning and, aside from the repetition of the cutting, very easy to pull off. Make them in advance and store them in the freezer for a late-night snack, or a great summer treat when it is hot out!

Critics say that the "the Heart Foundation should feel 'duped'" for going along with McDonald's "marketing ploy." While it is true that McDonald's is paying to get the NHF's approval - fees that go towards testing the food, according to the NHF - the organization is still placing their reputation on the line and has no reason not to support the fast food company if their meals meet the NHF's standards. And if some regular McDonald's eaters switch to healthier fare, that's a positive change whether it came from a "marketing ploy" or not.

More salt and pepper:
Talk to taste
Silvery sleek
Ice cream cones
Sleek and magnetic
Pretty little pigs
Self-shaking shakers for the lazy
Peugeot's electric pepper mill
Weeble wobble
Cha Cha Cha
Teardrops
Loops

Having enjoyed an offal salad at the Anchor and Hope with a bunch of the UK's bloggers, I can attest to being a lover of offal. Gimme kidneys, liver or heart any day. Pig's trotters I am not that much of a fan of; and there is something about brains that I really don't want to go into that takes them off the menu too.

Pluck is the lungs, heart and liver of an animal that is most famously used in the creation of the Scottish delicacy haggis - stuffed with oat bran inside a sheep's stomach. Lights are the animals lungs; again there is something about them that puts me off. They can be used though as an addition to several dishes, finely chopped in a bolognese sauce for example. To prepare them they have to be beaten by a mallet to remove the air and the cartilage and a broccoli looking bit sticking out of the windpipe have to be removed too.

We love those conversation hearts from Necco (and, what the heck, the knockoffs too, whether they be bitter or sweet or plain obnoxious). When I was a little girl whose head was filled with images of princess hats, men on white horses, and endless gifts of Whitman's Samplers and sugary candy and roses for Valentine's Day, I imagined the time when my sweetheart would express his love with those sweet, sweet hearts.

But it's never really happened as in my dream. When my husband proposed? It wasn't by handing me a candy heart imprinted in pink smudged block letters with "MARRY ME."

Has that ever happened, to you or someone you know? Please do share.

[Photo Sarah Gilbert]

Start with a dough rich in butter and almonds, then fill it with a touch of bright red raspberry preserves and you'll get what could very well be the ideal Valentine's Day cookie. These Jelly Filled Hearts from Very Good Things are the perfect cross between bite sized cookies and rich, full-sized tarts. Not only are they tasty, but they are much easier to make than they look - though you don't have to admit that when impressing your Valentine. The cookies end up tasting very much like shortbread, but the finely ground almonds that are added to the dough are enough to give it an adult taste. The full recipe can be found here and you still have plenty of time before the big day to make a batch or two.

This photo was titled, "Waaaay early V-Day cookies." But from where I'm sitting, it's never too early for Valentine's Day. I love all things pink, red, sugary and heart-shaped. Especially when they're sugar cookies. Details and recipes promised over at Culinarily Obsessed.

Necco unveiled its annual newbies amongst the sayings which festoon its iconic Valentine candy hearts today. The coolest in my book are hearts featuring the words "and" and "to" so hungry lovers can create phrases such as the suggested "kiss me to be mine" or my own, spur-of-the-moment creation, "UR kind to be true to my baby and website."

Each new year brings with it a special theme. Last year: sports. Bor-ing. This year, in keeping with the thousands of troops who aren't, is home. New phrases include "home soon," "go home," "call home," "sweet home," and the slightly risque "home run" and "house party." Finally, Necco added "ILU" for you text-messaging sweethearts (if I have to explain that to you, you SO don't need that heart).