Chalmers Chocolate Spoons Up Sweet Valentine's Ideas

Megan Cohn loves her husband. She also loves chocolate. What began as a Friday night family tradition to go with ice cream and TV is now her business. This year for Valentine's Day, she's sharing some of her favorite ideas for creating a luscious, romantic day from simple, delicious recipes, to mood setting home accents.

The Chattanooga-based company produces two amazing all-natural flavors, Original Dark Chocolate and Mint Chocolate, both made with the finest European cocoas and natural ingredients. The result is a dense, ganache-like sauce perfect to spoon, melt, spread or dip.

The Food
-The Easiest Fondue Ever
Simply melt Chalmers Chocolate Original Dark Chocolate in either a double boiler or fondue pot (careful not to microwave it as it ruins the texture). Serve with cut up pineapple, apples, pears, pound cake and your favorite cookies.

-Divine Mint Hot Chocolate
To prepare, heat one cup of milk per person to scald - avoiding bringing milk to a boil. Add 2 Tbs. Chalmers Chocolate Mint per 1 cup of hot milk. Stir, and adjust to taste. Pour mixture into hot chocolate bowls. Serve hot with fresh whipped cream and a mint leaf to garnish.

-Simple & Splendid Sandwich Cookies
Spread shortbread rounds or thin chocolate wafer cookies with a layer of the Chalmers Chocolate of your choice and press another on top to create simple, splendid treats. Arrange them on a cake plate to present as a special Valentine's treat before or after dinner

-Sweet & Savory
This amazing treat brings together sweet and savory in a seductive dance. Grab a thin, crusty baguette from your favorite bakery. Slice the bread thinly. Spread a generous layer of Chalmers Chocolate Original Dark Chocolate on the slices and sprinkle lightly with a few grains of coarse sea salt (or Hawaiian - for a subtle red accent) on the center of each slice for an amazing mix of flavors.

The Mood
-Print passages of your favorite poems on white, linen paper. Singe the edges of the poems for an aged look. Leave these bits of love around the room and tack one to the front door.

-Toss red scarves over your (non-halogen) lampshades for a sensuous, lounge-y look.

-Fill votive candle holders with cinnamon red hots and nestle red or gold candles inside.

-Pepper the room with these for a romantic glow.

-Set the tone with sexy music, like classics from Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughn, or with something more contemporary like the lush new Cherry by Lisa Shaw, Sharper Image's Bliss compilation, or Martina McBride's exclusive My Heart CD from Hallmark.

-Don't forget to sprinkle a few rose petals on the pillows.

About Chalmers Chocolate
Chalmers Chocolate, both original dark chocolate and mint, is available in 8.25 oz. and 4 oz. mini jars. Log on to www.chalmerschocolate.com or call toll free 1-877-839-8055 to find locations in your area. For photos, additional recipes or to schedule an interview with Megan Cohn of Chalmers Chocolate, contact Michael Duffield Communications at: 423 209 2986.

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