Happy Hour Special No. 3 || Valentine's Day
Eat your heart out - Julia Child was a Valentine's Queen, bacon bouquets, & life after Red Dye No. 3. XOXO
Dear Readers & Cake Eaters,
Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s my favorite holiday next to Halloween but despite it being one of my favs, I have never once celebrated it with a boyfriend - one broke up with me a week before, another was always conveniently traveling, and well, most of the time I’m just single lolz. So why then do you ask, would it be my fav holiday? Well, in case you haven’t picked up from my whole universe, pink & red is my absolute favorite color combo. Not to mention, it’s a holiday purely about showering the ones you love with sugary sweets & romance, there are hearts and idiotic yet adorable puns everywhere, and idk, it’s just CUTE.
NGL, most of the year I’m pretty pessimistic about love and romance so I get why Valentine’s Day has a lot of haters but something about this day just gives me the warm and fuzzies. Since I’ve given up on my saccharine prince charming rolling up on a 100% chocolate steed, I now take matters into my own hands and my favorite thing to do is bake VDay treats and write the tiny little cards (like we did in elementary school) for both myself & friends.
For me, Valentine’s Day is about spoiling yourself as well as the ones you love - I do that by making sweet treats I want to eat and share them with people I care about. Most holidays tend to be food-centric but Valentine’s feels so specifically about desserts, decadence, & indulgent things that it’s really hard for me to hold anything against it (single or not). Plus, Julia Child was also a lover of Valentine’s Day!
“The loveliest thing you can cook for someone who’s close to you is about as nice a valentine as you can give.” - Julia Child
Now, with all that said, let’s dig in! XO
Happy Hour Menu
Friday, February 14th 2025
ICYMI, MSCHF came out with their version of a Ring Pop about a week ago with a twist, there’s a real lab grown diamond in the center. Dubbed “Rock Candy”, this sugary bling came in 3 different flavors - Strawberry, Blue Raspberry Cotton Candy, & Green Apple. Unfortunately they’re all sold out now (not sure how many of you were hankering for one anyways) so apologies for the late report but thought you should know anyway! You can still see the deets on their website - www.licktherock.com lolz. I’m trying to decide how I would feel if someone gifted me this and I *think* I would be stoked? I just would never eat the candy though because then all that’s left is a boring ring. I did see a video of a girl unbox hers and she dropped it. Needless to say, the candy was absolutely shattered haha. Thoughts?
Anyone who’s a fan of vintage recipe books with saturated images of table settings and intricate dishes NEEDS this book in their collection. It’s literally one of my favorite things I own. Dame Barbara Cartland was an English writer and known as the “Queen of Romance” but I know her only from the magic that is this book. If you want it, you’re in luck because I’ve already dug around and you can get it HERE for only $20 - most everywhere else is either double or triple the price. You’re welcome. :) And in case someone does snag the book from the previous link, you can try your luck HERE where the seller accepts offers.
Who knew Julia Child and I had so much in common? We both love Valentine’s Day and live(d) in Paris! Child’s tradition of making and sending out Valentines with her husband, Paul apparently started in 1948 when they had missed their chance to send out XMas cards but still wanted to send out their well wishes to everyone so Valentine’s happened to be the next best occasion.
image courtesy of adelegillis.com It would appear that in addition to crafting these homemade Valentines, the couple also agreed upon the fact that duck was to be part of the main course for Valentine’s Day.
Back in 2018, an auction sold some of Julia and Paul Child’s Valentines as well as various letters and photographs. *Sigh* As if these two weren’t already legendary and iconic, now I find out they had a tradition of homemade Valentines?!? I’m not sobbing, you’re sobbing.
Back in 2023, California passed a ban that will prohibit the sale of foods containing Red Dye No. 3 starting in 2027. Well, just a few weeks ago this ban was applied on a national level by the FDA so the entire US has until 2027 to get rid of this red love potion No. 3. This dye is already banned in a lot of other countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the entire European Union. So then what exactly does this mean for us Red No. 3 guzzling Americans and say, Valentine’s Day? Well first off, a lot of manufacturers have already switched to Red Dye No. 40 (which, I’m sure still has its downsides) for some time now so no worries about a color-less void in the candy and snack aisles but not everyone has completely jumped on board just yet hence, the ban. So out of curiosity, what are some products we know and love that herald Red No. 3?
Maraschino Cherries
Nesquik Strawberry Milk
Good Humor’s Iconic Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bar
Pillsbury Funfetti Strawberry Cake Mix
Brach’s Conversation Hearts
Candy Corn
JUST to name a few. Fret not my artificial color loving friends, I’m certain that these goodies won’t lose their signature colors. They just might be a lighter hue in the future.
Here’s a recipe from Hey Grill Hey on DIY Candied Bacon Roses if you’re so inclined . . .
FIN! XOXO
*I may make some money off of anything purchased via my links*
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How freaking cute is The Romance of Food! And how freaking cute are Julia and Paul Child ugh!