Valentine's Day is a day for romance. It's a great night to go out to a special restaurant, but bear in mind, it's one of the busiest nights in the restaurant year. We prefer to celebrate this special day at home with a quiet, elegant dinner for two, during which we can actually hear each other as we share memories and hopes for the future. But, it wouldn't be very romantic to leave your special someone alone in the dining room, waiting for you while you "slave" over a hot stove. So we've planned a special meal that goes together quickly, with most of the preparation done well ahead, and the final assembling is done by you both.
The first course, Radicchio Leaves Stuffed with Smoked Trout Mousse, is eaten out of hand, so it could be served in the kitchen over a glass of red wine (if allowed by your physician) or sparkling mineral water, while you're putting the finishing touches on the meal to come. Be sure to put a favorite CD on and don't hesitate to initiate a dance around the kitchen floor if the mood strikes. Since ingredients for the main course and accompaniments are already minced and sliced, you need only to quickly sauté the steaks and assemble the sauce while your dining partner mashes the potatoes and glazes the already-cooked beets-this will all take 10 to 15 minutes at most-unless you find yourselves having more than one dance.
Plate up the dinner on your best china and retire to the dining room or a table in front of the fireplace. Earlier you've set the table with placemats or your best table linens, and arranged a low vase of fresh flowers. Now, light the candles and enjoy a healthy meal. Your dessert, a delicious rendition of the heart-shaped French dessert Coeur á la Crème, is waiting in the refrigerator, already garnished with a few fresh strawberries. This recipe is from our James Beard Award winning Joslin Diabetes Gourmet Cookbook (Bantam Books). It serves more than required, but it is just as good the next day. If you don't own the traditional porcelain heart-shaped mold, not to worry. You can drain the cheese in a colander or basket lined with cheesecloth and shape the drained cheese into a heart shape by hand. Don't forget to exchange Valentine cards.
(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)
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