Hey Valentine!

Hey Valentine! I’m talking to you. Don’t let Cupid tell you this is a for-lovers-only holiday. Send a paper heart and hug to neighbors, shop people, teachers, etc. Who doesn’t need a sweet thought and perhaps a sweet treat. I often like to buck trends, but I’m pretty sure flowers and chocolates will be a hit with anyone you want to gift with joy. Here are some edible sweeties:

Sugar Plum - Janis Joplin fans here in her home town of Port Arthur may choose Piece of My Heart shapes. Very unique. Others may be feeling smashing a chocolate pizza heart with enclosed mallet is more their style. Pops? They got ‘em. I’m relishing a box of truffles in a classic heart box. Don’t break you heart if you’re out of time…. Sugar Plum is prepared for an array of holidays and celebrations. www.sugar-plum.com

Whose Your Oat Boss? – How to describe the Oat Boss mascot? He’s a big-eyed oat with a rolling pin and chef’s hat. A friendly sort. How to describe Oat Boss Granola Butter in flavors such as chocolate chip, donut, original and blueberry? A crunchy, creamy version of nut butter? A sweet pick-me-up to make a great day even better? Snack time manna for people with certain food allergies? Could call it a Valentine for those who must avoid nuts, gluten, soy and dairy. A dad designed it for his daughter and we are thanking this family for Granola Butter coming proudly out of Denver, Colorado. Oats, coconut oil and honey create jars of creamy heaven that could become addictive. Directions: Spread, blend or drizzle, and save some for me.

Old School? – If you like granola the old-fashioned way, I’d still consider Jessica’s Natural Foods version as a modern twist, because these amazing gluten-free are made with attention to today’s health needs. There’s no trans fat, or cholesterol. I’m hopelessly addicted to variations topping yogurt, blended banana, apples and more. I can personally vouch for the flavor, crunchiness, wholesomeness and yummy factor of Almond Cherry, Vanilla Maple, Pecan Almond and Chocolate Chip. You know, I haven’t tried it in milk, but I bet that would work, too! www.jessicasnaturalfoods.com

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Athur area foodie sweet on spreading joy this Valentine’s Day. Share how you do it at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Are Those for me? How sweet is that?

Sugar Plum Chocolates You may feel like you’ve spent a greater portion of 2020 in front of a computer screen. Make sure you take a break. White chocolate anything is my holiday treat and The Signature Chocolate-Covered Cookie Sampler from Sugar Plum, a monther-and-son team making the world sweet for us. Nine milk, dark and white chocolate-covered super crunchy sandwich cookies come in a simply elegant golden tin with a chocolate-colored ribbon. There are peanut butter blends and this family also knows its way around bars and pumpkin spice. From all their offerings, this is the box that will get you hints of coconut, cranberry, toffee and drizzles that make your screen time break memorable. They’re on Dilley Street in Forty Fort, PA, but go ahead to www.sugar-plum.com to get yours.

Missing your Beignet? If you know what it means to miss New Orleans, you may get a longing for that aroma, flavor and puff of powdered sugar in your head. Heidi and Micha Stampley have launched authentic beignet mix through Orleans Foods and Walmart is offering it. No standing in line in the French Quarter for a long wait. I thoroughly enjoyed the batch I made at home though they didn’t come out like the picture. How could they when I subbed oils and cooking methods using a wee skillet instead of a fryer, etc. I never claimed to possess frying skills, but I turned out a lovely batch of warm batter on a cool December morning and sprinkled on that mandatory sugar. The process is easy, as the bag claims. Just add water and let that dough proof a bit. But make sure you have the powdered sugar, too! Milk ‘N Berries Rosa Porto’s original Tres Leches Recipe is the basis for more than a million of Porto’s Bake At Home Milk ‘N Berries cake, which can arrive at your door seemingly too beautiful to eat, It’s not. Do it. Eat those sweet berries, moist cake and rich, sweet cream but know your shipment is designed to thaw a day in the fridge. Can you resist? Some of the excess may collect and in a funny prep note, consumers are told to feel free to scoop it up for added richness or to “pour excess out before serving.” Guess which one I did? If this LA bakery’s creation is your one treat on the way out of 2020, please indulge. Porto’sbakery.com will guide you. Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie getting her holiday vibe. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com