Our editors at Taste of Home love to add a little vavoom to their sauces by adding a splash of wine. In the February/March issue, Food Editor, Karen Berner, shares her secrets to make an ordinary sauce extraordinary. Here’s a little taste of what a splash of wine can do for you!

Alcohol is a background ingredient, not the main flavor. Simmer wine slowly to mellow the taste of alcohol.

Most sauces using wine require reducing it. This eliminates some of the alcohol while concentrating the flavors by cooking the liquid down. Be careful, though. If it reduces too much, the wine flavor vanishes and the sauce can become acidic.

Make sure to watch the clock. A cup of wine will reduce to about 1/4 cup in 10 minutes.

Add any cream, stocks or broths after the wine is reduced. Voila! You have a flavorful sauce-and-wine pairing.

Red or white? Take your pick because wither type of wine works when reducing, even in recipes like our Chicken Marsala with Gorgonzola.

Don’t forget the brown bits! You can easily unlock stellar sauces and gravies with a splash of wine and a scrape of the pan.

Get more great tips and tricks from our food experts by visiting our How To section!

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It’s the season of red, pink, and white. Those three simple colors that signify love and romance. Everywhere you look there are women in flowy red dresses and bold red lipstick, men with shiny red ties and a bouquet of a dozen crimson roses, tiny little valentines shoved into the cubicle of a secret crush, and red velvet cupcakes sitting prettily, just waiting to be devoured.

Tonight the champagne will be flowing, steaks will sizzle and lobster will be drizzled with butter.  Stereos will be set to play the musical stylings of Barry Manilow, Frank Sinatra, and Neil Diamond. Couples will curl up on the couch after a night on the town and whisper sweet nothings to one another. Proposals will happen with a smartly dressed, yet nervous man, getting down on one knee, declaring his undying love to his soon to be fiance.

It’s Valentine’s Day.

While I won’t be joining the throngs of lovers this year – there’s still a reason to celebrate this rather seemingly exclusive holiday. Sure I don’t currently have a significant other in my life, but I have three gorgeous, smart, and funny sisters, strong, dependable parents, and a group of girlfriends that I honestly can’t live without. And finally, myself.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about lovers and secret admirers. It’s about all the loved ones in our lives, as well as loving ourselves. So hug your family, your friends, and anyone else who’s special in your life. Tell them you love them, and that you appreciate all they do. Then, look in the mirror and tell yourself that you love you.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

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Girlfriends. Other than sisters and family, they’re the most loyal, generous, and dependable people you’ll ever have in your life. Through thick and thin, they’ll stand by you through painful breakups, career successes, and pick you up when you’re feeling blue. Like a good bottle of wine, the friendship only gets better with time.

I honestly don’t know where I’d be with out my group of ladies. We “hold court”, have a standing date night every Tuesday, are just a speed-dial away, and are always there when anyone of us needs a really, really good hug.

A few weeks ago I watched an old episode of Parks and Recreation called, “Galentine’s Day.” In the episode Leslie Knope, played by Amy Pohler, hosts a party for her female friends the day before Valentine’s Day. She called it a great “self-esteem builder” and fun way to celebrate each other.

Watching the episode, I fell in love with the idea.  A day to honor and truly cherish the ladies who mean the most in my life. So tonight, I’m hosting my own version of “Galentine’s Day,” complete with a few good bottles of Cabernet, some fresh, Aldente pasta, and bowl after bowl of chocolate of quality chocolates.

So while tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to cupid, conversation hearts, and secret admirers, tonight it’s all about those wonderful, goofy, loyal girlfriends in your life.

Here are a few easy Galentine’s Day-worthy recipes, perfect for the ladyfriends in your life.

Get this recipe: Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Get this recipe: Cherry-Brandy Baked Brie

Get this recipe: Pasta Puttanesca

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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and what better way to say “I love you” than with food. Sweet or savory, these scrumptious treats will help you win your loved one’s heart.

Treat Baked Shop: Spiced Pecans
A  little  bit  spicy,  a  little  bit  salty,  a  little  bit  sweet,  these  small-­batch  Spiced  Pecans  are  made   with  freshly harvested  pecans  sourced  direct  from  family  growers  in  Georgia,  seasoned  with   Milwaukee-­based  Spice  House spices  and  roasted  to  create  an  addicting  candy  shell.

Williams – Sonoma: X & O S’mores
A whimsical gift, these decadent s’more “hugs” and “kisses” are created by hand, one batch at a time, at Two Hearts Bakery in San Francisco.

Create & Barrel: Strawberry Heart Lollipop
Crafted from a generations-old family recipe, a hand-poured strawberry heart is embedded with red, white and pink heart confetti for a sweet treat.

Harry & David: Whoopie Pies
Traditionally made to use up left over cake batter, whoopie pies have become a dessert sensation. Handcrafted and baked from scratch in our bakery, these treats make a great gift for cake lovers.

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It’s happened to all of us. Relationships fall apart, leaving us with that empty, painful, numb feeling. All you want to do is curl up in a little ball and cry, completely shutting out the world around you. But the love and support from friends and family, a stock-pile of tissues, and a fridge and oven brimming with the most comforting of foods is the only way to truly mend a broken heart.

Here are a few of my go-to recipes and libations to help heal the heart. And yes, most of them consist of chocolate.

If you’re looking for more heart-mending recipes, be sure to pick up a copy of  Heartbreak Recovery Kitchen, by Taste of Home Editor, Jeanne Ambrose. It’s full of heartwarming recipes, and little nuggets of wisdom, that are sure to help you overcome and find love again.

Get recipe: Hot Fudge Cake

Get recipe: Banana Split Brownie Cake

Get recipe: Striped Chocolate Popcorn

Get recipe: Chocolate Ice Cream Pie

Get recipe: Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Get recipe: White Sangria

Wine: A really good Cabernet

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Citrus fruits are the crowned-jewels of the winter season. These vibrant orbs have a sweet, tangy flavor that whisks us away from our cold, dreary surroundings – reminding us of warm, sunny days ahead.

Seasonal citrus like blood oranges, tangerines and clementines can add a pop of color and a burst of flavor to cozy winter meals. Their bright sweetness transports you to a sandy beach, umbrella drink in hand and the salty sea washing over your toes. When paired with exotic spices like cardamom and cinnamon, you find yourself in Morocco, lounging on fluffy pillows, breathing in the spicy, savory smells from the bazaar below.

With the forecast for more snow and cold in our future, a daily dose of citrus is the best way to keep those winter blues away. Here are a few of our favorite citrus recipes, guaranteed to transport your kitchen to a warmer, more tropical climate.

Get recipe: Citrus Pound Cake

Get recipe: Coconut Citrus Bars

Get recipe: Casablanca Chutney Chicken

Get recipe: Lacy Fruit Cups with Sabayon Sauce

Get recipe: Blood Orange Berry Punch

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Every party deserves great decorations – easy crafts that come together quickly, but capture the spirit of the event. Ready to show their team spirit this Super Bowl Sunday, our editors thought up some creative ways to cheer your favorite team to victory.

Laces-Out Bottle Coozie: Cozy up to your drink by spray painting old coozies brown and hot gluing on fun foam lines in a football motif.

Take-the-Field Runner: Field the rush to the table with a runner cut from canvas. Mark off the lines and numbers with masking tape or stickers, spray paint brown or green, remove tape, and GOOOAL!

In-the-Numbers Jar Jersey: Put snacks in play when you wrap jars in scrapbook papers and attach the numbers of your favorite players.

Team T-Shirt Throw Pillow: Give old sports tees new life by transforming them into pillows. Cut out the front design and back from an old T-shirt. Stitch close three sides, fill with stuffing and close the remaining side.

For more Super Bowl-worthy recipes and party ideas, check out the latest issue of Taste of Home, on sale now!!

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You’ve got the food, you’ve set the mood, the game’s on TV, and now it’s time to fill up the ice bucket with a few of these perfectly snack-paired brews.

Wings, Wings and More Wings: When it comes to the chicken wing, be sure to pick a lighter beer with a good balance of malt and hop.  We suggest a good American Pale Ale or IPA – these brews aren’t overpowering, and help showcase the spice and sauce of the wing.

American Pale Ale: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale – Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
IPA: Stone IPA – Bell’s Brewing Inc.

Little Smokies/Sausages: The deep flavor of these smokey and hearty sausages need something to bring a bit of sweetness and depth. A Dark American Ale is the perfect pairing, It brings just a hint of sweetness without overpowering the rich smoky flavor, and has a clean finish to cleanse the palate.

Dark American Ale: Snow Day Winter Ale – New Belgium Brewing Co.

Mexican: We all love a good dip, and Mexican-inspired dips like guacamole and 7-layer dip, are constant staples at a Super Bowl feast. To compliment these Southwest favorites, we recommend something crisp with a hint of fruit and extra fizz to wash down those classic staples like salsa, bean dip and avocado.

Hefeweizen: Dancing Man Wheat – New Glarus Brewing Co.

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The formula for the perfect Super Bowl is simple: two talented teams, hilarious high-priced commercials, an explosive half-time show, and tables buckling under the weight of pipping hot dips, crunchy chips, and hearty sandwiches. But, if you’re looking to add a little something special to your game day spread, try one of these football-inspired treats.

Get recipe: Truffle Football Cupcakes

Get recipe: Touchdown Cookies

Get recipe: Football Brownies

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Pub Food: Chicken Wings

When it comes to chicken wings, the usual go to dip is a creamy ranch or tangy blue cheese. But with the Super Bowl just around the corner, convenient on-hand ingredients can be transformed into quick dips that are sure to pack a flavorful punch.

Spice it up: Combine apricot preserves, Worcestershire sauce, light brown sugar, soy sauce, mustard, salt, pepper, cayenne and ginger, tasting and tweaking as you go.

Lemon Zinger: Start with sour cream then add lemon zest, ground coriander and black pepper for a fresh zip.

BBQ Lover: Grab your favorite barbecue sauce, then add finely chopped onion or smashed garlic and sprinkle in ground cumin.

A Bit of Bite: Blend apple cider vinegar, finely chopped garlic and cayenne into a sweet store-bought barbecue sauce.

Ethnic Flair: For an Asian variation, add orange marmalade and chopped scallions, or soy sauce and ginger, to your sauce.

Soy Lovers: Mix soy sauce, garlic, ginger, cilantro and red pepper flakes to add to sauce.

Play Ketchup: Add brown sugar and finely chopped onion to your best red.

Mustard Moves: For sweetness and spark, add a little honey and finely chopped ginger to your favorite bottled mustard.

Citrus: Stir a little orange juice and honey into mustard for a sharp citrus flourish.

Feel the Burn: Add chili powder, mustard powder and brown sugar to a very generous dose of sriracha (Asian sweet-hot sauce).

For more Super Bowl ideas and recipes, pick up the latest copy of Taste of Home, on sale now!

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