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Feed your lover ooey gooey cheese-dripping treats TO heat up your evening romance. Then enjoy THE leftover fondue AND dippers as a tasty “morning after” omelet or frittata. 7236

Valentine was THE name OF martyrs

There were many martyrs named Valentine (in 1969, THE Catholic Church had recognized 11. One IN particular seemed TO HAVE set THE stage FOR Valentines Day, supposedly executed FOR his refusal TO convert TO paganism AND writing a final note TO his beloved signed “from your Valentine.” It is believed he “healed” his beloved, providing her with sight, perhaps inspiring Shakespeare’s popular quote “love is blind.” 7424
1 large clove garlic, minced 1550
Try these Valentines Day tips, tricks AND gift-giving ideas 1830

The gift-exchanging ritual came about IN THE 20th century

It was during THE second half OF THE 20th century that exchanging gifts became part OF THE ritual, from roses TO chocolates TO diamonds. Let’s not forget THE lusty exchange OF suggestive looks, texts, pokes, tags AND tweets. 3646
1 cup dry white wine 8198
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Valentines Day trivia

If you are looking FOR ways TO extend conversation during your Valentines Day dinner (you know, TO heighten THE hot anticipation FOR after dinner loving), woo your date with your amazing knowledge OF THE meaning OF THE heady heart-felt holiday. Feed him these facts. 202
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Dash OF nutmeg AND pepper 696
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In Japan, it’s an “obligation” FOR many women TO give chocolate TO male co-workers (giri-choko) AND there’s now a date (March 14th) FOR men TO return THE favor. 5955
cauliflower, red AND green pepper rings, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, pear AND apple. 3926

More Valentines Day recipes AND ideas

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2 cups shredded Jarlsberg cheese 9093
1. IN a small bowl, toss cheese with flour. IN a fondue pot, heat wine with garlic until bubbles rise TO surface, taking care not TO boil. Add 1/2 cup cheese, stirring constantly until melted. Repeat until all THE cheese has BEEN added AND melted. 9199

The British beat us

The first mass-produced valentine IN THE United States was created by a woman named Esther Howland, who was inspired by an English Valentine she received. Apparently, THE British were exchanging valentines long before it became popular here IN America. 8879
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Women purchase THE majority OF Valentines

Valentine’s Day is THE second biggest card-sending holiday OF THE year, right behind Christmas, with more than 1 billion sent. AND it is women who purchase 85 percent OF Valentine cards. 6957
Splash OF soda water 5609

Valentines Day is related TO THE She-Wolf

Centuries ago, THE ancient Roman festival OF Lupercalia was celebrated February 13 TO 15 TO cast OUT evil spirits AND bring health AND fertility. THE name Lupercalia comes from Lupa, THE She-Wolf who suckled THE infants Romulus AND Remus, THE founders OF Rome. THE early church then Christianized this annual ritual as it did with other pagan celebrations, such as Halloween/All Saints, Christmas/Solstice AND THE like. 6997
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Warm up with these spicy hot cocktails 7984
2 tablespoons apricot brandy 5181
2 ounces pinky vodka 8279
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And interestingly, IN Saudi Arabia, Valentine’s Day paraphernalia was recently banned by THE religious police, creating a black market FOR roses, wrapping AND all things “red.” 7918
Directions: 2725
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1 tablespoon all purpose flour 1163
Shake vodka, nectar, syrup AND lime juice IN a shaker with ice. Strain over crushed ice IN a martini glass AND top with a splash OF soda. Stuff a hibiscus flower with a long pear spear then place on THE side OF glass TO garnish. Note: TO prepare pear, cut a piece OF fresh pear lengthwise, making about a 3- by 1/2-inch spear. 335
1/4 teaspoon salt 8131
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Ingredients: 228
2. Stir IN brandy, salt, nutmeg AND pepper. Serve with assorted dippers, keeping fondue hot while serving. If mixture thickens, add small amount OF additional wine or juice AND stir well. 8452
Pear Spear (see Note) 1123
1/4 ounce syrup from Wild Hibiscus Flowers IN Syrup* 3112
Assorted Dippers: cubed herbed croutons, cooked shrimp or mini meatballs, mushrooms, 9800
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Ingredients: 7277
2 ounces pear nectar 4647
There are similar dates IN South Korea, too, with THE additional date OF April 14th added FOR “singles” TO eat black noodles IN mourning OF love. 9881

Wild Hibiscus Embrace

Serves 1 4180
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This is a succulent signature cocktail created by Danielle Tatarin OF DesignerCocktail.com 9347
1/4 ounce fresh lime juice 5782
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Check OUT our very best Valentines Day gift lists, recipes, date ideas AND more6423
Love up TO a low-fat fondue  7211
Directions: 2191
Try a decadent dessert fondue FOR two 9907
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Brazil celebrates Dia dos Namorados (Day OF THE Enamored) on June 12th instead OF February 14th, because it would conflict with Carnival if held IN February. 1189
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