Sorrel is not the most common of spring greens to find laying around most kitchens. It can be pretty tart and even acidic, and a lot of folks simply aren't sure what to do with it. The flip-side is that sorrel can be so exquisite when paired well: It has a fresh bite that epitomizes spring, and while it can be too much to eat on its own as a raw salad, there are so many dishes that brighten tremendously with a smattering of this tender green.
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Fuschia, rose petals, and hot pink — do you love the brighter shades of pink? If so, this recipe roundup is for you. Pink foods are among the most delicious — think strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb, and beets. Scarlet, juicy, and colorful! We've got not one but two pink cakes, and light as air cupcakes with naturally pink frosting. There's a frothy pink cocktail and pink lemonade ice cream! Read on for these and more, and tell us what your favorite pink treat happens to be. More

Want one more treat for Valentine's? Maybe something fresher, lighter, and brighter than the traditional chocolate? Check out this adorable little treat from Sibylle at Funkytime, who sent us the photos and a teeny little video of putting it together — read on to see it! More

Do you have an ice dispenser in your refrigerator? If so, here's a rather magical little Valentine's trick: Turn that dispenser into a surprise candy machine, as demonstrated by the blogger at Foodinese. Want a see a video of this in action? Read on! More

No matter who you're with this Valentine's evening, you probably want a meal that is simple yet a treat — something easy to pull together after work, a meal to make you sink into the enjoyment of a quiet evening at home. Here are some suggestions for you: Foolproof instructions for cooking a perfect steak, and a dish of creamy pasta with lemon and hazelnuts. There are some quick, no-cook appetizers, a boozy cup of mocha, and a fizzy pink cocktail. And dessert, of course — the best brownies we know how to make, and a chocolate mousse to dream over. Oh, and real crème brûlée. If that doesn't get you in a Valentine's mood we don't know what will! More

Jill, a reader, wrote us this week with a very sensible thought: "I look at Valentine's Day as more than just the opportunity to show the special people in my life I love them. I take the opportunity to do a little pampering of myself. I'm wondering what other people do to pamper themselves so that I might incorporate something new into my ritual." What a good question! More

Valentine's Day has always struck me as a holiday more for children than for lovers; children get sweet crafts and candy hearts while we adults get kitsch and overpriced roses. Here are five sweet treats and crafts that really point out how charming and sweet it can be to celebrate Valentine's Day affection with a little one. More

When I set out to write my first book, one of the first recipes I knew I wanted to include was one for individual steamed pudding cakes. I ended up doing a lemon cakelet after a pregnancy-inspired double-order at a neighborhood eatery called Mary's Fish Camp. The chef there walked me through the magic of a pudding cake; how, thanks to an imbalance of wet to dry ingredients, a creamy smooth pudding layer forms on the bottom and a layer of fluffy sponge cake blossoms on top. More

Oh, you molecular gastronomists. There you go again, up-ending everything we think is right and proper in the kitchen. Here's the latest strange yet wholly practical concept imported to home kitchens from the labs of Nathan Myhrvold, gentleman scientist and chef: A method for cooking the absolute perfect steak, demonstrated here by Brandon Matzek of Kitchen Konfidence. More

What's better than getting a homemade gift for Valentine's Day? If you're planning on baking this year, here are some simple DIY gift wrap ideas for your tasty treats: More