Throw a Galentine’s Day Party Leslie Knope Would Love

Parks and Recreation may have ended in 2015, but many of the pop-culture gifts it bestowed upon us live on, including oh-so genius, Galentine’s Day. What is Galentine’s Day? As Park‘s heroine, Leslie Knope, explains: “Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and just kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas!”

Whether you will be kicking it breakfast or happy hour style this year, gather your gal pals and start celebrating sisterhood with these recipes and party ideas.

Leslie Knope-Inspired Breakfast Recipes

Pretty much the only way Leslie likes her waffles is with the works (syrup, butter, whipped cream, more syrup). Though she might have to be talked into the strawberries, sweetening them into a syrup will help. And, of course, douse them with whipped cream. Add a side of protein (that frittata!) and you’re good to go ’til dinner.

• Classic Waffles
• Simple Strawberry Syrup
• Easy Whipped Cream
• Cheesy Chorizo Frittata
• Gluten-Free Pink Pancakes

Galentine’s Day Happy Hour

If you and your friends are working gals and the big day happens to fall on a weekday, celebrate with a happy hour the second everyone punches out.

First up: drinks!

Happy hour at home starts with some bubbles in the glass.

• Nectar of the Gods
• Raspberry Lady Martini
• Ginger Champagne

Small bites: 

Easy-to-wash down one-bite nibbles.

• Easy Rumaki with Pineapple
• Blue Cheese and Pear Tartlets
• Sun-Dried Tomato Palmiers
• Artichoke Hearts Gratin
• Truffle Lovers’ Popcorn

Sweets:

Keep it red, keep it fluffy, keep it chocolatey.

• Valentine Marshmallows
• Chocolate Truffle Cookies
• Real Strawberry Cupcakes
• Raspberry White Chocolate Mousse
• Red Velvet Cookies 

Dress Up Your Digs

Go full red and pink with these party decoration ideas from some very creative bloggers, starting with these DYI Fringe Garlands. Perfect for Galentine’s Day or any day—am I right?!

Add a little bling to your G-day drinks with these DYI heart swizzle sticks. Just get some skewers and construction paper and you’re in business.

Chocolate kisses double as decor with these easy-to-make paper hearts. Use them as place cards or just extra table flair.

Galentine’s Day Giving

Okay, you’ve got the food, the decorations…what else? Duh—presents!

• Valentine’s Card Exchange. Have guests bring old-school Valentines for all your girls. If your friends don’t know each other well, suggest that everyone share their favorite quote or saying about friendship in the cards (mushy or funny) rather than writing personalized messages.
• Nail Polish Swap. Ask guests to bring two shades of red or pink nail polish, put ’em in a pile, and let everyone pick new ones to take home.
• Secret Cupid. Do a full-fledged gift exchange, Secret Santa style! Set a spending limit and let guests know ahead of time who they’ll be buying for.

Related Content

• Host a Rose and Rosé Party
• Browse All Valentine’s Day Recipes
• How to Make Sweetheart Cupcakes

 

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8 Top-Rated Cajun and Creole Classics for Mardi Gras

Most people think of Mardi Gras as Fat Tuesday, but the celebrations and parades stretch out for weeks before Lent, especially in New Orleans, aka Ground Zero for the seriously silly business of letting the good times roll. To get the party started, we’ve created a collection of some of the top-rated Cajun and Creole recipes, classic dishes that will definitely make any Mardi Gras party memorable.

1) Authentic Red Beans and Rice

Slow-simmered until the beans are creamy, this beloved dish is a permanent part of Monday meals for many New Orleanians. The tradition dates back decades when Monday was laundry day and this hearty, one-pot dinner cooked unattended.

Rating: An average of 4.5 stars on more than 680 reviews.

Photo by Caroline

2) Corn and Crab Bisque 

The winning combination of lump crab and sweet corn makes this ultra-rich soup truly decadent. Take it way over the top by garnishing with a spoonful of crab meat floating on a crostini.

Rating: An average of 4.5 stars on nearly 200 reviewers.

Photo by Meredith Publishing

3) Boudreaux’s Zydeco Stomp Gumbo

When it comes to gumbo, everybody’s mama’s makes THE best, no argument. But this version is pretty darned good, according to the rave reviews. The key is to cook the roux low and slow until it turns mahogany. If you want to serve it like some folks do in the Crescent City, plop a scoop of Mama’s Potato Salad in the middle of the bowl instead of rice.

Rating:  An average of 4.5 stars on more than 500 reviewers.

Photo by Meredith Publishing

4) Blackened Salmon Fillets

The fiery blend of spices — hello, cayenne pepper — turns succulent salmon into a whole different beast that’s definitely going to speak to those who love the heat. Cool things down with a side of steamed potatoes and green beans.

Rating: An average of 4.5 stars on more than 600 reviews.

Photo by Meredith Publishing

5) Easy Cajun Jambalaya

Chicken and rice gets a huge blast of flavor from slices of sausage in this dish that’ll warm you right up down to your dancing shoes. Between quick prep and cook time, dinner’s ready in under an hour.

Rating: An average of 4.5 stars on more than 500 reviews.

Photo by Meredith Publishing

6) Cajun Crawfish and Shrimp Etouffee

This colorful seafood stew actually has a French accent, crossing over toward the Creole cooking tradition. Like many dishes with roots in Louisiana, etouffee includes the “holy trinity” in its list of ingredients: celery, onions and bell peppers. If you can’t find crawfish, double up on the shrimp.

Rating: 5 stars on more than 350 reviews.

Photo by Soup Loving Nicole

7) King Cake

Nothing says Mardi Gras quite like the traditional King Cake, but this classic is really more of a sweet bread than a crumbly cake. Oh, and that plastic baby hidden inside? If you’re lucky enough to find it in your slice, it means you’ll be hosting the next party.

Rating: An average of 4.5 stars on 250 reviews.

Mardi Gras King Cake | Photo by Wyattdogster

8) Beignets

Pillow-y pockets of powdered sugar dusted fried dough are the best way to end an evening of celebrating. Or the best way to wake up and chase away that hangover. Or both. A family recipe that dates back 40 years, this one is perfect for a crowd, as it makes 12 servings.

Rating: An average of 4.5 stars on 174 reviews.

Photo by Meredith Publishing

More Mardi Gras stories on Allrecipes Dish

• Favorite Food and Fun Ideas for a Mardi Gras Party
• 5 Classic Mardi Gras Cocktails to Drink, but Not All at Once
• Gumbo Basics
• 10 Reasons to Visit New Orleans Right Now
• Southern Food is Comfort Food

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Thousands of People Are Making This Amazing Slow-Cooker Recipe

Get ready to slow down in the kitchen.  Last week, our community of home cooks became über fans of slow cooking recipes – one in particular. You tried to grasp a little of the summer feels making Slow-Cooker Barbecue Ribs the most popular recipe on the site.  Interest in these tender ribs grew by more than 120,000 views and 11,000 saves last week!

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Ribs

Photo by Allrecipes Magazine

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Find the slow cooker for you.  Get the most out of it with these recipes.

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Your Favorite New Recipe

Keep that slow cooker out for our members’ favorite new recipe, Slow-Cooked Chicken Drumsticks.  Chicken wings get all the love, but I’m not a fan of their tiny size.  These drumsticks are sweet and spicy and will keep your gang properly fueled through the big game.

Slow-Cooked Chicken Drumsticks

Photo by Soup Loving Nicole

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Your Most-Searched Recipe

Slow-cooker recipes hit the big triple play last week! Slow Cooker Pepper Steak had the biggest jump in searches. I guess you just don’t want to put that slow cooker away!  I don’t blame you. If you can make a flavorful meal with little effort, why not set it and forget it?

Slow-Cooker Pepper Steak. Photo by abapplez

 

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7 Essential Recipes for Mastering Your Instant Pot

The hottest kitchen helper to land on your counter does so much. The Instant Pot and its competitors promise to do everything except clean up. It’s an electric pressure cooker — no more worrying about pots exploding on the stovetop — plus, a steamer, a braiser, a genius slow-cooking soup maker, an incubator for dreamy yogurt and a mini oven all rolled into one. Here are 7 brilliant recipes that put this multitasker through its paces and make you the big winner.

Photo by Meredith Publishing

1) Carnitas

This shows off the clever combo of saute and pressure cooking in the same vessel! Pro tip: Cook it 20 minutes longer for extra tender pork and pile that pig on a warm corn tortilla for the best taco you’ve ever eaten.

Photo via Meredith Publishing

2) Lobster Tails Steamed in Beer

Add two ingredients, hit the button and minutes later, you’re ready to celebrate a Tuesday night, right? Only challenge is deciding just how much melted butter everybody needs.

Photo by Denise

3) Yogurt Cheese

Once you’ve mastered making yogurt in the Instant Pot — again, a set it and forget it project — take that creamy delight to the Next Level by turning it into cheese. Friends and family are going to be so impressed when you serve this easy-to-make appetizer that can be dressed up or enjoyed straight up.

Photo by Josephine Roeper

4) Slow Cooker Pumpkin Turkey Chili

This chili has so much character, with a smidge of pumpkin pie spice pulling the sweet quality from everyone’s fave fall squash. Double the batch to feed a crowd.

Photo by Meredith

5) Matar Pulao (Rice with Peas)

The Instant Pot makes the rice cooker redundant, steaming those grains, no sweat. But take that basic long grain experience to an exotic place with this Middle Eastern dish that includes aromatic spices like clove. Butter Lamb Gravy on the side makes for a plate bursting with color, each bite delivering an explosion of flavor.

6) Slow Cooker Oats

Put this one together the night before and wake up to a kitchen perfumed in warm spices. Here’s the wicked twist, though. You could also do this recipe, quickie-style if you go instead with the pressure cooker function, which takes steel-cut oats from dry to velvety smooth in a fraction of the time it takes on the stove top.

7) Cajun Chicken Pasta

Let’s work on those sauté skills by diving into this crazy popular recipe. The cayenne-fueled seasoning gives it Cajun cred, while the cream adds a touch of Creole cuisine. It all adds up to a spectacular 4.5 star rating from nearly 1,400 reviewers.

Photo by Tricia Winterle Jaeger

More Inspiration

Check out our collection of Pressure Cooker Recipes.

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9 Best Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes for Chilly Nights

These set-it-and-forget-it recipes cook themselves while you’re off having a life. And at the end of the day, dinner is ready when you are. Ain’t technology great?

1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

“Great comfort food and the kids love it. I agree with some other reviews: 1) replace water with chicken broth, 2) add poultry seasoning, and 3) add the rolls 90-120 minutes before serving.” — lmichel14

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings | Photo by KGora

2. Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

“Can’t beat the ease of this. Best advice was to add a can of tomato paste to thicken.” — sunnycook

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore | Photo by Anna Berman

3. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

“I solved the cardamom pod problem by wrapping them along with some fenugreek seeds in cheesecloth and tying the little package with kitchen twine.” — Contessathecook

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken | Photo by Allrecipes Magazine

4. Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

“Don’t let the long list of ingredients fool you. All you do is dump everything into the slow cooker and walk away.” — Elena

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup | Photo by chanelliman

5. Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga

“Topped with lettuce, chopped cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, cilantro, guacamole, and plain Greek yogurt. The toppings helped cool the heat.” — Maya

Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga | Photo by Maya

6. Slow Cooker Chicken Marrakesh

“The only change I would suggest is switching to boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Simmering breast meat for long periods of time makes the chicken dry. If you make the recipe with thigh meat, you will notice a major difference.” — manwithgills

Slow Cooker Chicken Marrakesh | Photo by berlin85

7. Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage Chili

“Let me start with the fact that this chili recipe won me the chili cook off at work.” See the prize-winning tweaks madredintegra made.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage Chili | Photo by magickme13

8. Pollo (Chicken) Fricassee from Puerto Rico

“Being a true Boriqua (from Puerto Rico) I can truly attest that this is the real thing.” See the full review with helpful tips from 2kids.

Pollo Chicken Fricassee from Puerto Rico | Photo by jrunfola89

9. Slow Cooker Adobo Chicken with Bok Choy

“Wow, tender meat falls right off the bone. Very flavorful. Didn’t add the sugar and it was delightful just the same.” — rubifrut

Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo | Photo by Baking Nana

Top Tips For Slow-Cooking Chicken

• Cooking lean breast meat for a long time dries out the meat. Try using thigh meat instead.
• If you use chicken breasts, add enough liquid to almost cover them to help them stay moist.
• Boneless chicken takes less time to cook than bone-in chicken, but bone-in chicken is less likely to overcook and dry out.
• Thaw frozen chicken before it goes into the pot to avoid any risk of harmful bacteria developing at low temperatures.
• To get the richest flavor, brown chicken and vegetables in a skillet before adding to the pot. Deglaze the skillet with wine or broth to capture every tasty bit.
• Don’t open the lid until you’re ready to check for doneness. Opening it up early releases the heat, and the slow cooker has to work to come up to temperature again. If you can’t live without peeking, get a slow cooker with a see-through glass lid.
• Every slow cooker has different specs for everything from how much you can fill it to how long you can leave food on the Warm setting. Always check the manufacturer’s handbook for specific recommendations.
• Some newer slow cookers cook faster than older ones. Again, check the manufacturer’s handbook.

Related

Get top tips for making the best slow cooker meals.

Learn how to convert stovetop and oven recipes for the slow cooker.
15 Recipes To Convert To Your Slow Cooker

Find great slow cooker recipes for every meal of the day.

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Chef John’s 13 MVP Recipes for the Big Game

These lucky 13 recipes are a veritable highlight reel of Chef John’s all-time favorite game-day foods. From classic dips, wings, and nachos to chili, beef sliders, and pulled pork — they’re all here. The best of Chef John.

1. Loaded Baked Potato Dip

Here’s Chef John’s very bacony, fully loaded baked potato dip. The base features all the classic baked potato fixings: sour cream, Cheddar, and green onions. For best results, let it chill for a while in the fridge.

Loaded Baked Potato Dip | Photo by the Gruntled Gourmand

2. Chef John’s Pulled Pork BBQ

Low and slow is the way to go for super-tender pulled pork. You’ll cook the pork for about 12 hours. But your patience will be amply rewarded with perfectly fall-apart pork. This recipe could not be easier.

Chef John’s Pulled Pork BBQ | Photo by Chef John

3. Bacon Jalapeno Popper Puffs

These jalapeno poppers are lighter than most but bring all the hot poppin’ flavor. “All the same flavors are there,” says Chef John. “Especially when served with the easy cream cheese dip, and the prep is much easier.”

 

4. Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip

It’s all in there! Everything but the chicken bones. All the taste of chicken wings with none of the greasy mess. The key is to start with rotisserie chicken, not canned chicken.

Chef John’s Buffalo Chicken Dip | Photo by Meredith

5. Mini Philly Cheesesteaks

These little cheese steak toasts are made with all the classic cheese steak ingredients, only in open-face form. The fixings are chopped up and spooned onto slices of baguette, then baked until beautiful.

Mini Philly Cheesesteaks | Photo by Chef John

6. Super Deluxe Steak Nachos

Chef John’s primo steak nachos take the snack game to the next level. You’ll top a layer of pinto beans with perfectly seasoned flat or skirt steak topped with Cheddar and Monterey Jack. Finish with avocado, tomatoes, peppers, sour cream, and cilantro for the win.

Super-Deluxe Steak Nachos | Photo by Chef John

7. Beef, Bean, and Beer Chili

pot of beef chili with a few extra ingredients that add a wonderful depth of flavor. A bottle of beer, a sprinkling of cinnamon and a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder in the ingredient list might surprise you, but once you taste the end product, you’d be happy you followed the recipe exactly. Enjoy with your favorite toppings. Chef John prefers his bowl of chili with crème fraiche, cilantro, and cayenne.

Beef, Bean, and Beer Chili | Photo by Chef John

8. Chef John’s Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

This quick-and-easy dip features canned artichoke hearts, chopped frozen spinach, cream cheese, and three types of grated cheeses: Gruyere, Parmesan, and mozzarella. And since there’s no mayo or sour cream, it’s actually lower in fat than restaurant versions. Delicious on just about anything: Crackers, chips, sliced baguette.

 

9. Chef John’s Crab Rangoon

These fried wonton pouches are stuffed with a generous amount of crab meat and cream cheese. “These are one of the most addictive, delicious, and crowd-pleasing appetizers ever created,” says Chef John. “That is, if the filling has enough crab in it. I’m using a 1-to-1 ratio of crab to cream cheese.”

Photo by Chef John

10. Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip

This creamy crab and artichoke dip is baked in a bread bowl. You’ll build on a delicious base of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo, adding Cheddar, herbs, and seasonings. Serve it hot with crackers.

Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip | Photo by Stacy

11. Crispy Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings

“The honey-sriracha glaze is quite delicious and incredibly simple,” says Chef John. “But the real star of the show is the strange but effective technique of coating the wings with a spice rub before baking. Through the magic of chemical reactions, the surface of the chicken becomes bone-dry, and eventually crisps up to something very similar to what would come out of a deep fryer.” If you’re more of a traditionalist, try Chef John’s Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce

 

12. Hot Baked Reuben Dip

It’s the classic deli sandwich converted into dip form. “I used pastrami instead of corned beef, which is a little spicier,” says Chef John.

Hot Baked Reuben Dip | Photo by Chef John

13. Chef John’s Beef Sliders

These tiny burgers are perfect party food. Chef John’s cool trick is to form the ground beef in muffin cups before frying them up. Serve them on small dinner rolls with sliced tomatoes.

Chef John’s Beef Sliders | Photo by Christina

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5 Copycat Versions of the World’s Wildest Fast Food Breakfasts

Americans think nothing of grabbing an Egg McMuffin from McDonald’s for breakfast. But what if your favorite fast-food joint featured a Brekkie Roll on the morning menu? How about Masala Scrambled Eggs? Or Thai Chicken Porridge? Here’s a look at some of the wildest fast-food breakfasts from chains around the world and tips on how to make copycat versions in your own kitchen.

1) Hot Chef Cheese

From Where? McDonald’s Brazil

Here’s how you make it: This cheese-lover’s delight includes a generous slathering of cream cheese, topped with Emmenthal cheese, sliced tomato and dried oregano oven toasted on a hamburger bun.
Pro-tip: Be sure to use a super-soft, squishy bun for maximum authenticity.

Photo by McDonald’s Brazil

2) Brekky Dog

From Where? Wendy’s Australia

Here’s how you make it: A hot dog gets loaded with all of your breakfast favorites: bacon and eggs and cheese.

Pro-tip: Wrap the wiener in bacon and sear it on the stove top for a crispy snap.

Photo by Wendy’s Australia

3) Bubur Ayam McD

From Where? McDonald’s Malaysia

How do you make it? A comforting bowl of rice porridge, topped with green onions, ginger, fried shallots and diced chilies.

Pro-tip: Rice porridge, also known as congee or jook, is like the Asian version of oatmeal with one big difference: savory toppings. Feel free to add chopped bits of bacon or leftover fried chicken.

Photo by McDonald’s Malaysia

4) BBQ Brekky Wrap

From Where: Hungry Jack’s (Burger King) Australia

How do you make it? Tuck scrambled eggs, grilled sausage patties, ham slices (eye bacon in the land Down Under), and cheese drizzled in barbecue sauce into a tortilla.

Pro-tip: Assemble the wrap and toast it in a pan until cheese melts.

Photo by Hungry Jack’s

5) Dry Pork and Seaweed Doughnut

From Where? Dunkin’ Donuts China

How do you make it? A yeast-raised doughnut gets a savory twist with a sprinkle of dried pork powder and seaweed pieces.

Pro-tip:  Find those obscure ingredients at Asian supermarkets or online.

Photo by Dunkin’ Donuts China

More Copycat Hits on Allrecipes Dish

• Copycat Starbucks: Save Dough and Make these Treats at Home 
• 7 Most Popular Copycat Soups to Make at Home
• 6 McDonald’s Copycat All Day Breakfast Egg Muffin Ideas
• Copycat to the EXXXtreme: Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap

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