FRONT BURNER: Fudgy Red Berry Swirl brownies

Fudgy Red Berry Swirl Brownies Photo by Kelly Brant
Fudgy Red Berry Swirl Brownies Photo by Kelly Brant

I'm not fan of Valentine's Day. It isn't that I have anything against love. I'm all for love.

My problem with Valentine's Day is its potential to make people feel bad about themselves and their relationships.

The origins of Valentine's Day, also known as St. Valentine's Day, are as murky as those old conversation hearts are chalky.

There are at least two saints Valentine recognized by the Catholic church. Exactly which one is the St. Valentine of the holiday is open to debate.

It could be the Catholic priest who in the third century wedded young couples, defying Roman Emperor Claudius II order that soldiers must not marry. Or maybe it was the Valentine who ministered to Christians in Rome at a time when they were persecuted. Another story points to an imprisoned Valentine who healed or fell in love with the daughter of his jailer, signing a note to her "your Valentine" the evening before his execution. And yet another version says Valentine was a priest who ministered to fellow Christian prisoners and attempted to help them escape. (Sources: Britannica.com, Catholic.org, History.com, Nationalgeographic.com)

And then there's Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival conducted on Feb. 15, which among other things was a fertility rite. When you take Lupercalia into consideration it appears the Christian church may have appropriated the holiday from the pagans and there's no doubt capitalism and Hallmark co-opted the holiday from the church.

Between the expected gifts and gestures, the day seems doomed to set us up for failure and/or disappointment.

What's worse? Spending Valentine's Day alone and lonely or spending it with a partner who didn't live up to your expectations? Those aren't the only outcomes for Valentine's Day, of course. I know many couples year after year who have wonderful days. I've been among them in the past. I've also been in the other two groups.

For me, a spontaneous gesture on my own terms means more, so that's how my husband and I celebrate our love.

But I understand not everyone shares my view. If you're still searching for just the right gift for your sweetheart the bad news is it's probably too late to get a reservation at your favorite restaurant. But there's still hope. If wine and chocolate is up your sweetie's alley, check out Lorri Hambuchen's Uncorked column here.

Or go the homemade route and put together a handmade card while these brownies bake in the oven.

Fudgy Red Berry Swirl Brownies

½ cup butter

1 cup dark chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

⅔ cup all-purpose flour

Pinch salt

About ¼ cup raspberry or strawberry jam, stirred well to loosen

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on two opposite sides.

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and chocolate. Heat in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk in sugar and vanilla. Then add the eggs and whisk until completely blended. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the flour and salt, stirring just until flour is incorporated. Don't overmix. Pour batter into the prepared pan, spreading the batter into the corners. Using a small spoon, drop teaspoonfuls of the jam over the batter. Using the tip of a knife, swirl jam into batter. Bake 35 minutes or until just set in the center. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Once completely cool, using the parchment overhang as handles, lift brownies from pan and cut into squares.

Makes about 16 (2-inch) brownies.

Recipe adapted from Oven to Table by Jan Scott

Food on 02/13/2019

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