Valentines Day. The perfect excuse, reason or massive necessity to indulge in chocolate delights. It’s unavoidable! Chocolate dipped strawberries showing up in the cubicle across from you, someone passing around the box of Fannie Mae’s (ah, memories)...and Ann Kelly waltzing in to the office with her favorite decadent brownies with a new twist! Judy Rosenberg, a.k.a. Rosie, owner of Rosie’s Bakery with three locations now in Massachusetts, has always had my go-to recipe for brownies. Absolutely the best and easy to make. But whatever your favorite recipe for brownies might be, try this. Remember that bottle of Blood Orange Olive Oil I picked up in the Hyde Park Fresh Market from the Kalamazoo Olive Company? Use some of the delicious flavored olive oil in place of regular oil or fat. Not enough to overwhelm the chocolate, just enough to make everyone who has that first taste ask you exactly what you did to make these so special! Have fun experimenting with the oils; I’ve use Meyer Lemon, the Blood Orange, and plan on trying out many more. Don’t be afraid...it’s just baking!

   Have you chosen your Valentine’s gift yet? So many of my friends love to go with a great bottle of wine and a fantastic box of gourmet chocolate. But do you know how to pair wine and chocolate so they complement, and not clash? Have a chat with your favorite sommelier and they can give you solid advice. I did find this article on Fox Business that might give you a helping hand! Also, take a peak at Times Food Critic Laura Reiley’s list of the Bay area’s best chocolatiers for starters. Viktoria Richards has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and City Street Sweets in Hyde Park as well. Regardless, it’s the thought that counts

   My friend Anne Byrn, better knows as the Cake Mix Doctor, has some tasty advice in her February newsletter. Anne always has a good story and even better memories to share. Sign up for the newsletter, it’s something I pass on to my friends, and all her books are in my library of favorites.

   So whether it’s a plate of homemade cookies from the kids, a box of chocolate from the person in your life that matters the most, or maybe a little something you made just for the folks in the office that can use an "atta boy...or girl" this Valentine’s Day, have a beautiful day. Calories do not count on February 14^th.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

From the lovely gentleman in the card aisle of the CVS Friday night who turned and asked me "When you’ve been married for 27 years, do you buy the funny card, or the sweet card?" Ann Kelly’s response...Both! Happy Valentines Day everyone!