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Best Boxed Chocolates

Posted Sep 1st 2009 4:36PM by Slashfood Editor
Filed under: Chocolate, Valentine's Day, Edible Gifts, Taste Test

Everyone loves chocolate for Valentine's Day. To satisfy your chocolate cravings try our top picks for heart shaped boxes.

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Best Boxed Chocolate

by Kat Kinsman
Nothing's sweeter than giving V-Day chocolate to a loved one, but don't you wonder what's gonna be under the lid? Our panel popped the tops off 22 heart-shaped boxes from $.99 drugstore counter specials to $55 chi-chi boutique bon-bons so you can help guide Cupid's arrow straight to your beloved's sweet spot. In ascending price order... (read on)

Rachel Been for AOL

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Best Boxed Chocolate

Rachel Been for AOL

Producer: Elmer

Verdict: DEFINITELY NOT
Style: Small cardboard heart box
Contents: 4 chocolates
Weight: 2.4 oz
Price: $.99
Website:elmercandy.com
Note: Every single person spat theirs out.
Our panel said: "Bleeeaaaauuugggh!" "Awful - plastic-like." "Way, way too sugary. I could almost taste the granules."

Rachel Been for AOL

Producer: Russell Stover

Verdict: GOOFY & SWEET
Style: Looney Toons Mini-box
Contents: 3 chocolates
Weight: 1.75 oz
Price: $1.29
Website: russellstover.com
Note: It's also available with a Bugs Bunny or the Tasmanian Devil design.
Our panel said: "Totally darling!" "I'd be so excited to get this." "Great for giving out at school."

Rachel Been for AOL

Producer: Gillham & Grand

Verdict: CUTE & FUN
Style: Novelty tin with "kiss / hug / tickle" spinner
Contents: 3 chocolates
Weight: 1.5 oz
Price: $3
Website: hallmark.com
Note: Gillham & Grand is made by Fannie May exclusively for Hallmark Gold Crown Stores.
Our panel said: "Very cute! You could give this to anyone." "Fun!"

Rachel Been for AOL

Producer: Russell Stover

Verdict: WEIRD CONCEPT, DECENT CHOCOLATE
Style: XOXO Just For Him cardboard heart
Contents: 6 assorted chocolates
Weight: 3.5 oz
Price: $2.99
Website: russellstover.com
Note: More deluxe editions come in metal, tire-tread embossed tins.
Our panel said: "Why is this for men in particular? Are they beef and sweat flavored or something?""Pretty standard, but yummy."

Rachel Been for AOL

Producer: Russell Stover

Verdict: HORRIBLE
Style: Foil-wrapped cardboard heart
Contents: 7 assorted sugar-free creams, chews and crisps
Weight: 4 oz
Price: $4.99
Website: russellstover.com
Note: A sugar-free pecan candy assortment is also available.
Our panel said: "Tastes like a tire. Rubbery." "If your sweetie is diabetic, just get them flowers or something instead."

Rachel Been for AOL

Producer: Russell Stover

Verdict: HIT OR MISS
Style: Foil-wrapped cardboard heart
Contents: 13 assorted creams, chews and nuts
Weight: 7 oz
Price: $4.99
Website: russellstover.com
Note: This is the #2 best selling heart-shaped box assortment in the US. The 1 lb selection is #1.
Our panel said: "Seems a little old-fashioned. Not that there's anything wrong with that." "It really depends on which pieces you get. Some are great and some are kind of nasty." "Not for me, but my Mom would love this."

Rachel Been for AOL

Producer: Reese's

Verdict: CAN'T GO WRONG
Style: Cardboard heart
Contents: 30 miniature Reese's peanut butter cups
Weight: 8 oz
Price: $4.99
Website: reeses.com
Our panel said: "You know exactly what you're getting, and it's GOOD!" "You can never go wrong with Reese's, even if the package design is cheap." "The taste is classic goodness. I'd be thrilled to get this. As muchas I'd like to be high-end, I can't escape my love for Reese's."

Rachel Been for AOL

Producer: Hershey's

Verdict: GOOD, BUT GO WITH THE REESE'S
Style: Cardboard heart
Contents: 54 Hershey's Kisses
Weight: 8 oz
Price: $4.99
Website: hersheys.com
Our panel said: "Who doesn't love to get Kisses?" "Cute & romantic." "I love this, but it seems a little plain." "It's nice knowing just what you're getting."

Rachel Been for AOL

Producer: Godiva

Verdict: OKAY IN A PINCH
Style: Miniature heart gift box
Contents: 6 foil-wrapped milk chocolate hearts
Weight: 1.1 oz
Price: $5
Website: godiva.com
Our panel said: "Cute, but not impressive." "Good valentine for the teacher."

Rachel Been for AOL

Chocolate Bar at the Ritz-Carlton

Posted Feb 13th 2009 7:30PM by Kat Kinsman
Filed under: Restaurants, Chocolate, America, Valentine's Day

Wonka.

Just getting that out of the way first, as it's proved nigh on impossible to mention this event to anyone without their invoking Roald Dahl's tale of confectionary hedonism. Pastry chef Laurent Richard has crafted a carnival-themed, all-you-can-eat chocolate dessert buffet at New York City's Ritz-Carlton's 14th floor Rise Bar, and for the price of admission, one receives the privilege of sticking one's face into the endless treat plates borne by spinning ferris wheel, carousel and roller coaster, and not coming up for air until every last Nutella crepe, haute faux Twix (Chef Ricard calls it a Raider Bar), chocolate financier, Valrhona-slathered strawberry and morsel of Black Forest griotine has been gobbled up. Don't worry -- he'll make more.

Continue reading Chocolate Bar at the Ritz-Carlton

Conversation Hearts, Human Version

Posted Feb 13th 2009 3:00PM by Emily Matchar
Filed under: Candy

We wrote earlier about Necco's new Conversation Hearts with foodie sayings. Well Conversation Hearts have popped up again on our interwebs today, this time in the form of artist Nathan Sawaya's Necco Human Heart. Oh yes, this is indeed an anatomically correct heart made up of hundreds of pink, yellow and purple Conversation Hearts. Sawaya writes: "I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day. It is a made up holiday and makes more people feel sad than happy. It can make your heart feel vulnerable. Almost edible." Amen.

Conversation Hearts For Foodies

Posted Feb 13th 2009 1:00PM by Emily Matchar
Filed under: Candy, Valentine's Day

This year's batch of Sweethearts Conversation Hearts have a foodie theme, inscribed with sayings like "Recipe 4 Love," "Top Chef," "Sugar Pie," "Table 4 Two," and "Yum Yum." Beats the "B My Sweetie" hearts of my childhood, which were always embarassing to eat in public when you were 12.

A brief walk down Conversation Heart memory lane: I used to live in Cambridge, Massachusetts and would sometimes walk past the old New England Confectionery Company factory, where they made Conversation Hearts and Necco wafers (New England Confectionery Company, get it). The factory was a brick fortress, with ancient studded steel doors and high rusted fences. On the very top was a water tower painted rainbow colors to look like a roll of Necco wafers. When the candy machines were rollin,' you could smell that musty, spicy-sweet scent for a mile and see pastel-colored steam billowing out the smoke stack. A real Yankee version of Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

Chocolate for Valentine's Day: Green & Black's

Posted Feb 12th 2009 5:56PM by Marisa McClellan
Filed under: Chocolate, Valentine's Day

variety of green & black's chocolate bars

Don't find yourself scrambling on Valentine's Day for a good gift for the chocolate lover in your life. Get them half a dozen of Green & Black's chocolate bars in the knowledge that happiness is assured when you come with good chocolate in hand. Green & Black's makes a wide variety of high quality, organic chocolate. It's available nationwide and I can even pick several different kinds up at my local corner store (making it perfect for last minute hostess gifts).

If you want something a little more elegant than a simple bar, Green & Black's also individually-wrapped chocolate coins that come packaged in tall, slender boxes.

An Easy Valentine's Day Menu - The Philly Inquirer in 60 Seconds

Posted Feb 12th 2009 12:05PM by Marisa McClellan
Filed under: In Sixty Seconds

For inexperienced cooks who want to cook up a simple but romantic dinner for their sweetie this Valentine's Day, here's a step-by-step plan, complete with recipes.
Another fancy steakhouse opened in Philly last weekend, the third such establishment to open in the last six months. In this economy, who will make it?
In this week's Market Basket, there are desserts from Chestnut Hill's Cake and heart-shaped dishes.
Need a speedy, healthy meal? Try this vegetable soup, that comes together in just half an hour.
A new deli for Center City? Owners of Cherry Hill's Kibitz room are hoping to make it so.
Bethlehem mom gets tapped by Disney to turn her family's recipe blog into a column for their new website.
The Rush Hour Gourmet makes homemade Chinese takeout - Flank Steak Broccoli Beef.
Suzanna Foo's upscale asian restaurant is now delivering (with a minimum $25 order).

Say 'I Love You' With Toast

Posted Feb 11th 2009 4:01PM by Marisa McClellan
Filed under: Valentine's Day, Edible Gifts

Looking for a new way to tell your kids or your sweetie how much you love them this year for Valentine's Day? Consider the I Love You Toast Stamper! I realize it's a little silly, but it could also be just the think to perk up your holiday breakfast routine. I haven't tried this product out personally, but I imagine with some butter and strawberry or raspberry jam, it could be fun.

I am curious though, how well it would work on whole wheat or pumpernickel bread, where the surface area is darker and experiences less darkening during the toasting process.

If buying a gadget to engrave your toast seems a little silly, there are other ways to profess love on food. Do a little freehand engraving with a steak knife or write out the sentiment in a fruit sauce (a fine tipped squirt bottle would work well for that).

Do you do anything special to the food you feed family and friends on Valentine's Day?

[via Obsessable]

What's The World's Most Romantic Cuisine?

Posted Feb 11th 2009 9:00AM by Emily Matchar
Filed under: Valentine's Day

In a Valentine's Day survey from OpenTable.com, 66 percent of respondents say French and Italian are the two most romantic cuisines in the world.

There's no denying that dinner in a cozy bistro or a homey trattoria sets a certain mood, but my personal pick for most romantic cuisine might just have to be Moroccan - rich lamb dishes spiced with cinnamon, shared platters of fruit-and nut-studded couscous, desserts scented with rosewater and mint, slices of oranges splashed with perfume-y orange flower water, steaming hot tea from intricately carved silver pots. Especially if you get to lounge on embroidered cushions on the floor. But a big tray of sushi and other Japanese tidbits à deux would be a close second - a tangle of seaweed salad, a spill of jewel-like salmon roe, slippery mouthfuls of briney sea urchin. Of course, if you really want to seduce me, you'd fry me a chicken and bake a coconut cake!

What do you think is the most romantic cuisine?

Chocolate for Valentine's Day - Dagoba Baking Chocolate

Posted Feb 10th 2009 4:57PM by Marisa McClellan
Filed under: Chocolate, Valentine's Day

Next in our series of good chocolate for Valentine's Day is Dagoba's baking chocolate. Since 2001, Dagoba has been making a variety of organic chocolate products in their Ashland, OR factory (they were one of the very first organic chocolate producers). I'm a sucker for their Mint-Rosemary Bar, but recently, I've also become a total convert to their line of baking chocolates.

These chocolates turn a standard brownie recipe into something revelatory. If you're planning to bake something special for your sweetheart this year, instead of reaching for your regular baking chocolate, get yourself some of this Dagoba goodness. If you're on the hunt for the right recipe to romance your chocolate-loving Valentine, consider this flourless chocolate cake (I'd recommend the bittersweet chocolate for that cake, not the unsweetened variety pictured above). Pair it with raspberry sauce and freshly whipped cream for a dessert that says, "I love you."

Chocolates for Valentine's Day - Slashfood Ate (8)

Posted Feb 10th 2009 11:00AM by Max Shrem
Filed under: Chocolate, Candy, Stores & Shopping, Lists, How To, Slashfood Ate, Valentine's Day

Studies reveal that certain sweets, like chocolate activate the libido. Just last week, The Times of India had an article reporting on the aphrodisiac effects of chocolate particularly on men. Food scientists tracked down a specific ingredient responsible for these effects - Eurycoma Longifolia Jack.

Chocolates have long been associated with romance. As far back as the eighteenth century, food enthusiasts, like Brillat Savarin, raved about chocolate's corporal effects. So, when thinking about sweets for Valentine's Day, I often think of various chocolate confections and cakes.

Below are 8 chocolates I highly recommend this Valentine's Day:

Durand Chocolates from Brittany, France
Dozen Box of Roni's Roses - These chocolates are flavored with rose petal jam, powdered rose petals and exotic rose liqueur. If you're in NY, I highly suggest that you check out Roni-Sue's in the Essex Street Market in the Lower East Side.
Poco Dolce Burt Caramel Tiles - Everything made by Poco Dolce is phenomenal. They have truly mastered the delicious combination of salt and sweet.
Assortment from La Maison du Chocolate
Valentine's Selection from Jacques Torres
Pralus Chocolate Bars from France
Truffle Collection from Vosges Chocolate
Knipschildt Chocolate Box

Can Cheese Be Romantic? - Cheese Course

Posted Feb 10th 2009 9:00AM by Max Shrem
Filed under: Cheese, Stores & Shopping, How To, Valentine's Day, Local Eating, Artisan Foods, Cheese Course

Cheese, like chocolate, can help create a romantic ambiance. While certain cheeses may carry an unappealing funky aroma, others are full of a captivating sweet luscious creaminess. Even those stinky cheeses can become agents of cupid with the right condiments and wine. Cheese can definitely be romantic.

When selecting cheeses for Valentine's Day, pick out ones that have complex textures and flavors. Try an aged Gouda, such as Reypenaer, or something fresh, rich, and buttery, like Robiola di Roccaverano. My main advice is to overwhelm your palate with culinary enjoyment without over consumption. A stomach ache is never romantic.

This year, Anne Saxelby is teaming up with Ronie-Sue's Chocolates to sell a pairing of cheeses with chocolates. As Murray's Cheese announces, "Valentine's Day is for cheese lovers." They're selling a "love box" full of cheese, chocolate covered almonds from Spain, hazelnut chocolate, and more. Of course, if romantic cheese means heart-shaped cheese, you can find those as well. Try Coeur du Berry, a fresh goat's milk cheese from the Loire Valley.

Heart Krispies - Feast Your Eyes

Posted Feb 10th 2009 8:00AM by Marisa McClellan
Filed under: Feast Your Eyes

When I make Rice Krispie Treats, they invariably come out uneven and misshapen. So just from that perspective, I'm totally impressed by Joy's perfectly formed slab of cooled treats. And the idea of cutting them into hearts? Brilliant! Perfect for celebrating the upcoming holiday and it also leaves the cook with plenty of extra bits on munch on. I wholeheartedly endorse this cutting tact.

Thanks Joy, for adding your picture to the pool!

Chocolate for Valentine's Day - Askinosie Chocolate

Posted Feb 9th 2009 12:02PM by Marisa McClellan
Filed under: Chocolate, Valentine's Day

Next Saturday is Valentine's Day. I know that for some people, it's a holiday about love, romance and jewelry. However, for me, it will always be a day devoted to candy, particularly chocolate. When I was growing up, my mom would always leave little baskets of treats at our places at the breakfast table, and so my sister I would start the day with a chocolate heart, along with our Cheerios. The school day would progress with a parade of conversation hearts, red gummies and more chocolate.

In honor of coming holiday, I'm going to be featuring some of the best chocolates that have come my way in recent days. One of my very favorites that I discovered last summer is Askinosie Chocolate. It's made by a man who is absolutely passionate about chocolate and who travels the world to meet the farmers who grow his beans. The resulting chocolate bars are single source and hand roasted, making for seriously intense and unique flavors. If you're shopping for a dark chocolate lover who's interested in terroir and the artisanal process, this would be an excellent choice.

Lovebug Cookies And Other Valentine Treats From Martha Stewart

Posted Feb 9th 2009 10:00AM by Emily Matchar
Filed under: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, with its endless opportunities for both food AND crafts, is a big deal in Marthaland, where the chocolate strawberries are always hand-dipped and the decorative pink ribbons always cut on the diagonal. Check out Martha's adorable Lovebug cookies, which satisfy both the baker's sweet tooth and the decorator's need to go wild with the gel paste food coloring. The bugs' eyes are silver dragees and the spots are white dragees or white fruit imperial candies. The fuzzy insect heads are acheived with black or brown sanding sugar.

Other Martha-approved Valentine's treats include chocolate truffles, pink-on-pink strawberry cupcakes, heart-shaped raspberry Napoleons, mini heart-shaped cakes, heart-shaped merengues and massive chocolate cupcakes.

Decadent Lactose-Free Hot Chocolate for Valentine's Day

Posted Feb 7th 2009 5:00PM by Emily Matchar
Filed under: Chocolate, Valentine's Day

In her A Good Appetite column, New York Times food writer Melissa Clark describes her quest to create a perfect cup of Valentine's Day hot chocolate for her husband. The catch? Her husband can't eat cream, or milk, or soy milk, or rice milk or nut milk. So Clark turned to Maricel Presilla's "The New Taste of Chocolate: A Cultural and Natural History of Cacao With Recipes," for some pre-Columbian secrets to dairy-free hot chocolate, then, on the advice of a French chocolatier, tries a simple dark chocolate-and-water concoction. Finally, she combines the two concepts, mixing coconut milk with the pure dark chocolate, and comes up with a creamy, rich, deeply chocolatey yet lactose-free winner. She even figures out a merengue topping to mimic the fluffy goodness of whipped cream.

Check out this recent Slashfood post for eight more remarkable hot chocolate recipes.

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Best Boxed Chocolates

Best Boxed Chocolate

Chocolate Bar at the Ritz-Carlton

Conversation Hearts, Human Version

Conversation Hearts For Foodies

Chocolate for Valentine's Day: Green & Black's

An Easy Valentine's Day Menu - The Philly Inquirer in 60 Seconds

Say 'I Love You' With Toast

What's The World's Most Romantic Cuisine?

Chocolate for Valentine's Day - Dagoba Baking Chocolate

Chocolates for Valentine's Day - Slashfood Ate (8)

Can Cheese Be Romantic? - Cheese Course

Heart Krispies - Feast Your Eyes

Chocolate for Valentine's Day - Askinosie Chocolate

Lovebug Cookies And Other Valentine Treats From Martha Stewart

Decadent Lactose-Free Hot Chocolate for Valentine's Day

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