Let Your Love Flow

Whether you're coupled up or a swinging single, share the love this Valentine's Day with a fun food-filled fête.

Decor You'll Fall For

Half the battle of creating a lovely Valentine’s Day party is setting the mood. Here’s how you can throw together a chic party, on the cheap.

See red. Recycle your Christmas decorations by pulling out everything that's red, from tablecloths and napkins to candles and servingware. It’s a great affordable base that you'd otherwise get little use out of. Simply add hearts and cupids and you're ready to go.

Give your heart away. Wrap old Christmas boxes in red and pink wrapping paper and stack on your table to use as a sweet display to serve up your goodies. Place large platters on angles or place party bites directly on top of weighted gift boxes.

I heart you. Cut out heart shapes from old magazines and strew about on tabletops like cool confetti. Or make a heart garland by cutting out hearts from old pieces of fabric or cool wrapping paper and stringing them together with twine.

Delightful Desserts and Sparkling Bubbly

The second half of setting the mood, of course, involves food and drink. For bubbles, Latin American sparklers will do the trick, and they won't break the bank.  Here are our choices for some festive drinking.

Juve y Camps Brut Rosé ($16)

This ruby red Cava (left) is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir grapes and its beautiful color makes it a natural pick for Valentine's day. With notes of fresh red apple and hints of honey white flowers and toasted almonds, it pairs well with strawberries, preferably covered in chocolate.

Alma Negra Misterio Rosé, ($21)

If you're looking for a more subdued bottle, try this predominantly Malbec blend from Argentina (right). With pink orange nuances and aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and cassis, it pairs well with oysters and caviar and light cheese and berries.

The main event?  Dessert — however you choose to define it.

We suggest a Spiced Mexican Chocolate Fondue, that takes a crowd pleasing chocolate classic and gives it a Latin twist sure to make taste buds zing.  

Not a chocolate lover? No worries. How about Polvorones, or Mexican Wedding Cookies? These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are a delicate dessert that may even inspire a marriage proposal.  

Prefer your chocolate chilled? Our thoughts go to creamy chocolate confection Chili Chocolate Mousse, a perfect balance of sugar and spice.

Spiced Mexican Chocolate Fondue

• 1 1/4 cup whole milk or heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 12 ounces Mexican chocolate, broken into pieces
• strawberries, bananas, kiwis, grapes, to serve

Get the full recipe.

Polvorones

• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Get the full recipe.

Chili Chocolate Mousse