Why not surprise your Valentine with a homemade treat this year? Fresh, pillowy marshmallows are a refreshing change from the usual chocolate, and surprisingly addictive. My nephew's girlfriend, Julianna, whipped up a batch of these last Christmas and people are still talking about them. Check out The Brownie Points Blog where Julianna found the recipe. It is also reprinted here after the jump for your convenience. Marshmallows will keep for several weeks at room temperature......

LAist is traveling around the country to find your next American Idol. But we might have already found him working behind a hot dog cart in New Orleans. As you know we interviewed a Tower Records employee in the French Quarter and a teenage girl in the 9th Ward, but Big John might be the best take on the aftermath of Katrina. But we wont tell you how to think, see for yourself.......