Love is a universe of emotions. It brings us into the orbit of another, and keeps us there with an unseen gravity. Love is accountable for butterflies in the stomach, intense moments of heightened passion; it can bring both tears of joy and cries of anguish. Still unexplainable by science, fleetingly chased by poets for centuries and celebrated by many, love is in the air. It’s almost Valentines Day! It’s time to make that one amazing, indescribable, scrumptious, sensuous meal.
Possibly the purest expression of love is cooking, especially on Valentine’s Day. Anyone with an ounce of romantic compassion must be enchanted after such a display of thought, skill and caring. Think about it… what else so acutely involves nourishment, sensual pleasure, soul satisfying flavor, an intimate social exchange? The stage…gazing into one another’s eyes through the candlelight, sipping a heavenly concoction while swallowing sweet morsels…Cooking for your lover is something very special. Whether you are in a fresh relationship or a couple from way back, take this night and make the most of it.
When planning a great meal, you have to start with great ingredients. This time spend the money. It’s worth it. First, of course, don’t serve something so off-the-wall that you both won’t like it, but on this night you may want to up the difficulty level. Go for at least the one back flip. If a simple pasta and a nice bottle of red wine do the trick, then don’t stray too far from that. You may want to add some scallops or pancetta to make the dish sing. If you want to go over the top, you can get into caviar, oysters, lobster, symbolic red beets, whip cream, chocolate mousse etc. I have included a straight-forward recipe for a pot of hot liquid chocolate that you can dip whatever into, including fingers!
Whichever direction you choose, plan ahead. And if you chose a difficult recipe, then you might want to practice it beforehand. Don’t forget about ambiance… lighting is extremely important (indirect light). Get a good babysitter and pay him/her well. Unplug the TV, cell phones and all the noise. Get the right music. I like to not overdo things…keep the night light and easy enough so you can concentrate on what is going on at the table and under the table. If you pull this off, your lover will surely love you more! If you don’t, then it will surely be a good test for the relationship. There’s always next year. If you don’t cook at all, then go out to eat somewhere special, and definitely make a reservation.
Dark chocolate fondue for two
Ingredients:
16 oz. dark semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
(Use high quality chocolate chips)
2 oz. heavy cream
For dipping:
Any sweet ripe fruits (I like fresh cherries, mango and strawberries);
Any simple cookies such as lady fingers and Scottish short bread
Over a double boiler (pot of simmering water with a stainless steel mixing bowl on top), add the cream and chocolate. Mix with a wooden spoon constantly until melted and smooth. Spoon the chocolate mixture into a warm ceramic container and place on table to dip. Serve as a dessert. Share with lovers.
