5 Tips for a Romantic Desert Picnic TAKE YOUR VALENTINE AND ENJOY
THE WILDERNESS IN STYLE! With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the cooler weather is also a beautiful time to get outdoors in Arizona. There are plenty of amazing hiking spots in the Valley of the Sun, which means there’s also plenty of amazing picnic spots! Here’s the best tips for setting up an impressive, even romantic desert picnic in 2022. No. 1: Pick a trail with plenty of gorgeous views. The key to picking an impressive picnicking spot is picking a place you’ll want to stay for a while. Maybe you’ll pick the very top of a trail, or maybe you’ll pick a comfortable spot along the side of a mountain trail. Either way, AllTrails and TripAdvisor are great websites to research trails for all preferred hiking difficulties! No. 2: See a star-filled sky at a dark sky conservatory. Picnics aren’t just for the daytime. Take a hike in or near a dark sky conservatory. These areas are chosen to limit “light pollution” and preserve Arizona’s most brilliant starry skies for generations to come! And these unique parks make amazing, romantic spots for a date. No. 3: Pack your food for success! Mason jars are going to be your best friend while packing your picnic. Not only are they resealable, but they’re cheap and will stay cold in a
cooler. Also, don’t forget that food can cause other foods to get soggy. Salads and sandwiches should have their wet ingredients (i.e., tomatoes, etc.) packed separately. Keeping your bread and lettuce crisp and crunchy will feel extra gourmet in the middle of your nature picnic! No. 4: Don’t forget some cozy decor. While real candlelight isn’t recommended, electric tea lights can still make your dawn, dusk, or nighttime picnic feel elevated and classy, like a five-star curated experience. Also, don’t forget to bring plenty of blankets and a pillow or two to stay cozy and warm, depending on the time of day and weather! You might consider some music you want to play, too. No. 5: Bring dessert. If you want to make your meal feel complete, don’t forget something sweet. It could be a fruit tart, homemade s’mores bars, Lisa’s easy chocolate truffles (page 3), anything! It’ll be the perfect way to end your picnic. Don’t let our gorgeous winters disappear without making some new memories — especially on a holiday dedicated to some of our most memorable connections. We wish you best of luck on your romantic picnic planning!
With High-Quality Recipes on TikTok BECOME A CHEF IN 60 SECONDS OR LESS
Getting recipes and food advice from strangers on the internet has never been easier, and the preferred recipe-gathering platform right now is TikTok because it’s fast and convenient. Unfortunately, that’s not always a good thing. If you’re wondering how to sift through all the bite-sized videos to find the best recipes, follow our guide to TikTok! Where to Start On the TikTok app, click on the “Discover” tab, and from there, you can search for any recipe. You can even search accounts using this tab if you know a specific creator. If you’re looking for something that just looks tasty, use the hashtags #TikTokCooks and #Recipes to see what has made it to the front page! Avoid Fake Recipes Some TikTok creators film satirical, “clickbait” videos making outrageous dishes that were never tested or even intended to be eaten. The best way to avoid this is by paying close attention to the video. Is the creator using ingredients not normally put together or that have conflicting tastes? Are they making exaggerated comments or facial expressions over a simple dish? If you still aren’t sure after questioning the video, then check the creator’s account for other content they’ve made. If they regularly
make other satirical videos, you can probably assume their newest viral hit is also fake. Sometimes looking at the comments will help, but the comments could also play into the joke. Find Real Recipes The easiest way to find accounts that will share real recipes is to look for a blue verified check mark by their name. But some creators who share authentic recipes aren’t verified, so to make sure these are real recipes, listen to their instructions. Do they tell you what they are making? Do they share ingredients, measurements, cook time, and further instructions? TikTok also created a recipe button on cooking videos, which will help list out ingredients and directions. This will make it easier for you to get all the details on your new favorite recipe. Accounts to Begin With If you’re just starting your TikTok culinary journey, check out @Newt , who makes learning recipes fun and easy. He cooks a variety of dishes that are both educational and entertaining. Also check out @CookingWithShereen , a professional recipe developer who makes gourmet cooking at home easy. Happy cooking!
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
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