Blog Posts by bon appétit magazine

Feeling the pinch this Valentine's Day does not mean you have to literally tighten your belt. You and your sweetheart can still enjoy a few luxuries-like caviar, truffles, pâté, and bubbly-without breaking the bank. In our guide, sustainable American caviar substitutes for the pricey imported variety, versatile truffle oil takes the place of scarce shavings, and DIY chicken liver pâté fills in for foie gras. And whether you decide to splurge or save, each item comes with some tips to make sure you get your money's worth.

Caviar

Splurge: Imported Caviar (around $150 per ounce)
Steal: American Caviar (around $20 per ounce)

Caviars from the Caspian and Black seas are considered the finest in the world, but environmental concerns have severely limited their availability in the United States. As a result, imported caviar is either illegal or astronomically expensive. Even if you can splurge on the fancy stuff, there are still sustainability concerns: Some sturgeon populations that produce

Before you reach for a sponge to clean dishes after dinner, there are a few things you should know. A sponge is heaven for germs--its moist, soft nooks are a safe home for yeasts, molds, and bacteria.

According to the USDA, if you really want to use a sponge in the kitchen, you will need to clean--nay, disinfect--it first.

Here are three ways to do it:

1. Zap it in the Microwave. Nuking a sponge on high power for 30 seconds kills almost all bacteria. But make sure the sponge is damp so it doesn't catch fire.

2. Wash it in the Dishwasher. As long as you include the drying cycle--and provided the dishwashing water is 140º F or higher--dishwashing sponges to sanitize them is just as effective as microwaving.

3. Soak it in Bleach or Lemon Juice. It's better than nothing, but soaking can still leave enough bacteria to cause illness.

The safest way of all to keep kitchen counters clean? Expunge the sponge and use disposable wipes or paper towels instead. This isn't the greenest

"Be Mine." "Kiss Me." "Sweet Talk." Nothing signals Cupid's arrival quite like conversation hearts. This year, thanks to the landslide results of an online survey in which the candy's manufacturer solicited suggestions for new messages, one in 80 candy hearts will say, "Tweet Me."

Isn't that modern. But did you know just how vintage these 144-year-old candy hearts are?

We'll give you a short (and sweet) history lesson: The New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) debuted their Sweethearts Conversation Hearts in the 1800s. Originally called "motto hearts," their precursor was a trendy fortune cookie-like treat sold during the Civil War called a "cockle," which had printed phrases rolled up inside its scallop-shaped shell. Printing words directly on the candy was the bright idea of Daniel Chase, the brother of NECCO's founder. He also invented the machine that both pressed red vegetable coloring on the candy dough and cut the shapes. The new candies were a hit, especially wedding-day

A childhood favorite grows up, just in time for Valentine's Day. Related: Tips for Valentine's Day on a Budget 17 of Bon Appétit's Sexiest Dishes Top 10 New Romantic Getaways Family Valentine's Day Dinner for 4 More from Bon Appétit: Best Restaurant Dishes for Under

What's your chocolate craving? Creamy, crunchy, milky, dark -- we've got them all.

Related:

• View 12 More Chocolate Dessert Recipes

• 10 Best New Romantic Getaways

• 17 of Bon Appétit's Sexiest Dishes

• Tips for Valentine's Day on a Budget

• How to Safely Open a Bottle of Champagne

  
  

• Family Valentine's Day Dinner for 4

More from Bon Appétit:

• Bon Appétit's 24 Best Super Bowl Snacks

• Chili Recipes, Secret Ingredients, Favorite Toppings and More

• Bon Appétit's Top 10 Dips

• 17 Healthy and Heart Soups and Stews

• Bon Appétit's 15 Favorite Mac and Cheese Recipes

Yesterday we told you what our readers reach for in their pantries to boost the deliciousness of their homemade chili. Today we want to talk toppings. After all, nailing down what goes into chili is a good start, but garnish is equally important. So we asked our readers what chili toppings they love.

[via Facebook]

Can't beat super sharp cheddar and homemade cornbread
-Sarah Fowler

Sour cream and cheese and a little Tabasco
-Elizabeth Campbell

Cheese, onions and crushed Fritos!
-Leigh Ramert Batten

Rice!
-Erlyn Justo

I warm up with extra-extra hot chili; secret ingredient is SPICY HOT olives.
-Cristie Hurd

Roasted garlic cloves or a big spoonful of f-- e Greek yogurt! It gives a tangy punch to the spicy chili instead of sour cream.
-Chelsy Ethridge

Turkish style yogurt mint sauce could be great. Use dried mint, put some butter in little saut� pan, melt it, then add dried mint leaves, just 10 seconds then let it cool down. Mix it with yogurt. Enjoy it!
-Coskun Eyuboglu

Have you resolved to eat more greens this year? Start now, with four great winter salad ideas--from the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen--that you can enjoy today.






Toss very thinly sliced cabbage (or buy a bag of the presliced stuff) with chopped green onions, chopped fresh cilantro, a minced serrano chile, a mounded spoonful of mayo, and a drizzle of fresh lime juice.









Combine baby spinach leaves with chopped dried figs, crumbled blue cheese, and spiced pecans. Toss with a Sherry vinaigrette.










Make a quick white wine vinaigrette; mix in a pressed garlic clove. Marinate paper-thin slices of red onion in the dressing while you steam some green beans just until crisp-tender. Toss the beans with the onions and dressing.








Mix arugula leaves with chopped radicchio and endive. Toss with a red wine vinaigrette. Top with Parmesan cheese shavings.




Related:

• Bon Appétit's 15 Favorite Main-Course Salad Recipes
• Packaged Mix Greens: When to Use and How to Choose
• What's the Best

Love food? Hate being half- or fully-naked in public? Does deciding what to wear each day cause you heaps of unnecessary stress? Don't worry, like your mother, I've decided to lay out your wardrobe for the week. (Note: You'll have to figure out the pants on your own.) --Barrett Baffert




MONDAY

Sure, you miss the weekend. Hoo doesn't? But it's nothing a little coffee can't cure. Hoot Night Owl ($18)









TUESDAY

Maybe it's a statement that ties industrialized agriculture to the homogenized American workplace. Or maybe it's just a shirt that looks cool. Children of the Qwerty ($18)








WEDNESDAY

Suddenly the weekend doesn't seem light years away. The Milky Way ($18)








THURSDAY

Yes, wearing milk-themed shirts on consecutive days is risky. And, yes, the shirt itself is a bit risqué. But wait until they get a load of Friday's... You've Got Some Splaining To Do ($18)








FRIDAY

Yep, you went there! And you know what, you're right: Unicorn is delicious. Unicorn Meat ($20)








SATURDAY

Time to hit up the