With Valentine’s Day right in the middle of February, we got into chocolate in a big way this month, with loads of chocolate recipes, many featuring Askinosie Chocolate, a product that actually exceeds Fair Trade standards. You can learn more about this premium chocolate in our chocolate factory tour video and banner article. We even demonstrated the art of making matcha green tea chocolate truffles in a step-by-step photo tour. You can never have too much chocolate, but we kind of pushed the limits this month.

Cocktails Fighting Back
Cocktails are battling back from a decades-long push by wine. Some of this is perhaps led by the example set at the White House, where President Obama has begun inviting House and Senate leaders over for cocktails. Learn more in this excerpt from our Food Channel White Paper.

New Year…New Recipes
		Mardi Gras Gumbo Mardi Gras parades its way through the month of February, and this recipe makes an excellent choice for your Fat Tuesday celebrations.
Beverly Hills Grilled Beef Tenderloin The annual Academy Awards presentation did not go unnoticed by The Food Channel. Our Oscars watch party spread is headlined by this classic beef dish.	Creamy Chocolate Pie Made with natural cocoa powder, this velvety-smooth pie offers a wonderful way to cap any dinner.	White Bean, Bacon and Spinach Soup Warm up your wintertime appetite with this hearty soup. Serve with crusty bread and a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Get the very latest on what’s happening and what’s going to happen. • Should the First Family Dig a White House Garden? • Restaurant Chain Offers Burrito Bailout Plan. • What a Deal. Beef for $153 Per Pound.
Surfing the Channel
	“Cooking with Dad – Healthy Pizza” VIDEO. From our Cooking with Dad series: Food Channel chef Trip Kadey and his daughter Lexy show that it’s not that hard to make a better-for-you homemade pizza.
	(Ask the Chef) What Do You Do If You’ve Added Too Much Salt? Our chef offers a potential fix for this vexing dilemma.
	Organic and Ethical Chocolate Choices Still more chocolate info for Cupid’s favorite month. Where to buy chocolate you can feel really good about.
COMING SOON • Fabulous fish recipes for Lent • Irish eyes will be smiling over our St. Pat’s Day recipes
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