We would like to suggest three themes to keep in mind when planning your Valentine’s Meal:
- “Warmth” - warm up the heart and the body with a hot drink, a little spice and a touch of comfort food. Warm the table with lots of candles, warm the atmosphere with some pleasant easy listening music.
- “Share” - Make a dish or two that two can share, share stories of favourite memories (first kiss, first date)
- “Italian” - Let’s face it, the Italian’s have cornered a big part of the market on “amore”.
Here’s our ideas based on these thems. Feel free to use these as a “springboard” for your own ideas. Let the creative juices flow, you know your spouse better than anyone!
The recipes can be found in the Recipe Section of My Crazy Kitchen.
1) Lose the Kids!:
Nobody loves children more than I do, however, children are strictly off-limits for this meal. Plan an early, simple meal for them, if you’d like to show them how important they are on Valentine’s day, however, accept the offer of the neighbour to “help out” (who cares if she was just being polite, she’ll get over it by Spring! Besides, it will be a good lesson for her on “being honest” with herself and others.)
2) Before the Meal:
Great White North Toddy - Relax and anticipate the evening ahead. Epicurean Foods hails from a Canadian snow belt, so this drink is a must-have! Take the cold “edge” off with this drink. If you prefer non-alcoholic, make it special by adding a dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
3) The Appetizer:
Connor Creek Italian Minestrone Soup - You can practically hear Englebert Humperdink as you sip on this soup! Take your time, relish the flavour and the comfort factor.
This soup is easily made ahead of time in a crock pot. Follow package directions.
(Author’s note: Now that he/she is relaxed, the edge is taken off, the hunger is dissipating, hopefully some lovely music is playing, you might want to think about mentioning the “fender bender”)
4) Surf and Turf - Lobster Tail and Steak
It just doesn’t get much better than this. Depending on your spouse’s age, you will immediately hear many “whoa’s”/”awesomes”/truly exquisite” /”sick” (teenagers have been known to cook).
Best to marinate the lobster and steak ahead of time. Lobster is marinated no more than 2-3 hours before with Mediterranean Jewel Mango Vinegar and Citrus Oil.
Click here for the simple Mediterranean Seafood Marinade recipe.
The steak is “rubbed” with Rubbit On! Gourmet Steak Spice as early as the night before.
Serve with roasted baby potatoes (prepared with Bella Donna Rosemary Extra Virgin Olive Dipping Oil) and Asparagus drizzled with Mediterranean Jewel Balsamic Vinegar.
For desert we suggest a “Chocolate Fondue” for 2 (excellent sharing time!).