People think I love to cook. Uh uh, not so much. But I do love to eat.
And I really, really like to stay at home on Valentine’s Day. It’s so much more romantic than going out to a restaurant with a preset menu and lots of strangers trying to enjoy themselves.
So, I happily spend Valentine’s by the stove with a glass of red wine, cooking dinner. The meal should feel just a little special but making it shouldn’t feel like a lot of hard work. Here are a few ideas to try if you are thinking of staying in this year.
Wishing you a deliciously happy Valentine’s Day!
Radishes with Butter and Sea Salt
Nothing is easier and yet radishes dredged in yummy, European style butter is so good. The ingredients are important here, so buy the best radishes you can. (TIP: I particularly like the French Breakfast variety.)
For butter, my favorite is the Isigny Ste. Mere brand if you can find it, but Kerrygold makes a great one too.
Follow this recipe from Williams Sonoma the first time you do this, but you won’t need a recipe going forward.
It’s that easy. Sometimes I mash the softened butter with a few herbs (dill, parsley, etc.) and a little lemon zest for a change.
Risotto
Is there anything more comforting? The silky texture, the luxurious flavors…mmm!
Yes, risotto is a little bit of effort, but it’s only stirring, after all. With a glass of wine in hand, what is there to complain about? And you get extra credit from your loved one for having gone to all of that trouble. The Parmesan Risotto from my well worn copy of The Essentials of Italian Cooking is among my very favorites.
Grilled Caesar Salad
Grilling the romaine for a Caesar salad adds a wonderful smoky flavor, and a crisp/wilted texture that is really appealing. It makes a classic dish much more special. When I want a simple but luscious meal, a grilled romaine Caesar with shrimp sauteed in butter and garlic is perfect. This tasty recipe substitutes mayo for the usual raw eggs, but if that is still too rich, I’ve done it with just a lemon juice/evoo/parmesan mix that’s also yummy.
Coq au Vin
I make this ahead (even a month or so before I plan to serve it) because the flavors actually improve in your freezer. Serving it for the holiday means a quick reheat on the stove and you are done.
Coq au Vin is rich and delicious, and it’s fancy, even though technically, it is just a stew. I let mine cook until the meat is falling off the bone so that I can remove all of them before storing the dish in the freezer. (TIP: Don’t do the onions. You can buy adorable little pearl onions in the freezer section of your grocery and they work like a charm.)
Serve it over some creamy mashed potatoes. Kind of sexy!
Chocolate Mousse
This recipe is ridiculously easy and the results are incredible – as though you’ve labored over it for hours.
Chocolate is for lovers, after all, and I promise you will get passionate praise for this dish.
FYI, this is rich, so you don’t need a lot. A few bites will satisfy the sweetest tooth. For Valentine’s Day I will serve it in my little red toile demitasse cups. On the side, a little Orange and Polenta Biscuit is the perfect accompaniment – crunchy texture and bright flavor. I have a recipe that is so simple. Let me know if you want a copy!
Xoxo!
