Love Bites

Updated January 30, 2008
Credit: Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

This Valentine's Day, ignore the sappy commercials and red rose sales. Instead, gather some friends to celebrate the few that, thankfully, got away.

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Chili with Chipotle and Chocolate

Credit: Randy Mayor; Cindy Barr

What better way to celebrate the day than by pairing classic love repellents like onions and garlic with bittersweet chocolate, ancho chile powder, and chipotle chiles? Try a chili that's smelly and bitter, with a little kick at the end–just like that last dysfunctional relationship.

Recipe: Chili with Chipotle and Chocolate

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Onion Frittata Bites

Credit: Randy Mayor

Onion frittatas are perfect for appetizer munchies, and you can enjoy a couple (or 10) without worrying if you have any mints on hand. Plus, they can be made the day before the party–freeing up time for you to laze around in comfy pajamas as long as possible before having to look presentable for guests.

Recipe: Onion Frittata Bites

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Marmalade Sours

While any drink involving sour mix or bitters would be appropriate, we just love this unique twist on the traditional whiskey sour–replace simple syrup with smooth marmalade for a slightly sweet cocktail.

Recipe: Marmalade Sours

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Bittersweet Chocolate Souffles

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Who needs pieces of heart-shaped milk chocolate? Milk chocolate has very few flavonoids–those wonderful little nutrients that somehow keep darker types of chocolate on the "healthy foods" list. Instead, try these soufflés featuring cocoa and bittersweet chocolate. They're low in fat, so you don't have to split it with a friend to make yourself feel better about indulging. (We know you've done it.)
Recipe: Bittersweet Chocolate Souffles

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Easy Red Velvet Cupcakes

Credit: Jim Bathie

Red, delicious, and happy to be single, these cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat for the not-so-bitter singles out there. If you're a little more cynical, try adding black food coloring to the icing.

Recipe: Easy Red Velvet Cupcakes

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Stone Crab Claws with Mustard Sauce

Finally, we thought it'd be fun to feature a few foods that represent those old flames that died out for good reason. These delicious crab claws are our tribute to stone-faced party poopers who, in the end, were just too hard to crack.

Recipe: Stone Crab Claws with Mustard Sauce

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Clam-Stuffed Mushrooms

Credit: Jean Allsopp

Have a few self-obsessed exes in the closet? Then you'll love our Clam-Stuffed Mushrooms! The mushroom stems are chopped and mixed in with the rest of the stuffing ingredients, so these mushrooms are truly full of themselves. Plus, you get to work out some aggression with all that chopping...

Recipe: Clam-Stuffed Mushrooms

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Jerk Chicken

Credit: Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

'Nuff said. This Caribbean classic is not only delightfully delicious, but also disturbingly therapeutic to prepare–and then devour with relish.

Recipe: Jerk Chicken

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