Happy Valentine's Day from BPI!

I don't know about all of you, but this weekend definitely snuck up on me!  Well, it's that time of year again... time for an overdose of chocolate, an abundance of red and pink decorations everywhere you go and of course, heart-shaped everything.  Like all holidays though, I'm in.  I love them all, what can I say?  If you're like me though and you've slacked in your Valentine's Day plans, don't worry, here are a few ideas of things you can make and places you can go to celebrate!  

Grand Marnier

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

 Ingredients:

·        6 Tbsp Heavy Cream

·        1 Tsp Orange Zest

·        6 Ounces Semisweet Chocolate – Chopped

·        3 Ounces White Chocolate - Chopped

·        3 Tbsp Grand Marnier

·        2 Tbsp Light Corn Syrup

·        2 Pints Strawberries - washed

Preparation:  Take a medium sized pot and fill it with just about two inches of water and heat on medium-low or medium heat or until the water is simmering.  Take a heat-proof bowl and set it over the pot so that it is above, but not touching, the simmering water below.  In your heat-proof bowl, heat the cream and the orange zest.  When they are blended together, add in your semisweet chocolate (chopped), Grand Marnier and corn syrup.  Continue to stir the mixture until everything is melted and the texture is lump free.

Once the mixture is completely smooth, remove the bowl and the pan from the heat.  Hold each strawberry by the stem and then dip the strawberry into the chocolate mixture, until about three-quarters of the strawberries are covered with chocolate.  Place the chocolate covered strawberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow them a few minutes to dry.  While your strawberries are drying, take a second heat-proof bowl and place it over your pot with water in it.  Heat the water in the pot over medium heat again and then melt the white chocolates in the heat-proof bowl.  Once this mixture is smooth, dip a fork into the white chocolate and then carefully drizzle the chocolate over the dipped strawberries.

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Pink Grapefruit Margarita

Ingredients:

·        Coarse Sea Salt/Sugar Mixture (for Martini Rim)

·        ½ Ounces Hornitos Sauza Plata Tequila

·        1 Ounce Simple Syrup

·        ½ Grenadine

·        1 Ounce Grapefruit Juice

·        Lime Wedge

·        Grapefruit Slice

Preparation:  Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then add in your tequila, simple syrup, grenadine and grapefruit juice.  Cover and shake about twenty times or until the mixture is chilled and completely mixed.  Place the sea salt and sugar mixture onto a small plate.  Take a rocks glass and lightly wetten the rim of the glass with your lime wedge and then press the glass into the salt/sugar mixture.  Pour your margarita and ice into the rocks glass and garnish with a grapefruit slice.

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What To Do This Weekend!

Since we're not open to celebrate with you, here are a few of

our favorite things to do in Portland this weekend!

Friday

La Creme Chocolat

Where: Rising Tide Brewery

When: February 13th at 4pm-7pm

How Much:  Free Entry, Beer and Chocolate are Market Price

What:  Locally handcrafted chocolate paired with Rising Tide beers.  

Saturday

Beer, Hearts and Chocolate

Where: Allagash Brewery

When: February 14th at 4pm-7pm

How Much: $15

What:  Sample four of Allagash's best beers along side with a chocolate pairing for each.  There will be a Photo Booth to take some shots and a station to make Valentine's!  So yes, you can literally enjoy chocolate with beer tonight and tomorrow night, how perfect!

Sunday

Canine Cocktail Party & Dog Kissing Contest

Where: Planet Dog (Portland)

When: February 15 at 2pm-4pm

How Much: $5

Winner gets a $75 gift bag filled with fun items from Planet Dog!  All you and your pup have to do is land the best kiss of the day.  There will be some free treats for your dogs available and some beer & wine for you to enjoy.

Happy Valentine's Day!