Be Cupid in the Kitchen Celebrate Valentines Day Cooking, Eating and Drinking

Ahhh Valentine’s Day – The Hallmark Holiday of Holidays! Traditionally it is the romantic holiday where lovers express their love for each other with flowers, confections and cards.

Saint Valentines Day is named after one or more Christian martyrs and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 500 AD. Here in the USA where we tend to turn every holiday into a money maker. Jewelers are pushing their baubles, chocolatiers have created beautifully packaged confections and florists jack the price up for roses. Beyond the entire mixed bag of gifts one should take note that restaurants everywhere will be jam packed all weekend long for the second busiest day of dining out each year.

Avoid the all the hype as well as the excessive amount of money you will fork over and show your Valentine that you put a little creativity of your own into celebrating with Cupid as your inspiration this year. Cooking is love made visible - create a meal from the bottom of your heart.

Forget sending a text message or an EVITE and set the tone by giving your loved one an actual invitation to an afternoon or evening of romance. Visit Richard’s Variety Store for fun and festive cards or stationary to handcraft a Valentine outlining the details of the when and the where. Create a menu filled with plenty of aphrodisiac and romantic food and beverages. Stop by Perrine’s Wine Shop and select some delicious wines to compliment your menu. Scour through your music collection and put together a CD full of songs that conjure up fun memories that you have shared together. Set the table with colorful dishes and linens from Star Provisions and plenty of candles and a vase of simple yet festive fresh flowers to set the mood.

Take some of the heat off yourself and invite your love to join you in the meal preparation. Pick out festive aprons for you both at Anthropoligie, as nothing is more fun than heating things up in the kitchen together and sharing a few laughs along the way.

A combination of surprise and celebration are certain to pierce your Valentine’s heart with Cupid’s arrow. For a bit of inspiration on foods that trigger love, set the tone with a few quick simple and delicious suggestions:

Steam It – Beer Broth Clams with Spanish Chorizo, Garlic and Basil
Slice It – Charcuterie & Cheese with Honeycomb and Berries
Eat it Raw – Oysters on the Half Shell with Cucumber Mignonette sauce
Go Green – Arugula with Feta Cheese, Pistachios & Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette
Roast It – Orange Ginger glazed Carrots
Boil It – Bow Tie Pasta with a Truffle Nutmeg Alfredo sauce and Pine nuts
Grill It – Mustard Rubbed Beef Tenderloin with Marinated Asparagus
Bake It – Figs with Brown Sugar, Honey and Whiskey
Chill It – Sparkling Processeco before dinner, Sweet & Tangy Limoncello after dinner
Decant It – A full bodied Barbareso served with rich dark Chocolate Truffles
Whip It – Chocolate Pots du Crème with whipped Cream
Buy It - If you’re baking skills are not up to par pick up a great dessert from
Metrotainment Bakery like their Valentine specials: 4” Red Velvet Heart or
Midnight Torte

Don’t take yourself too seriously, have some fun and create a bit of magic in the kitchen.
Follow your heart (and your stomach) and you are certain to always find yourself lucky in LOVE.

Happy Valentines Day and remember Peace Love Food!