entertaining

february 2003

Planning a romantic meal for your special "someone" to celebrate Valentine's Day? We love to eat out in restaurants, but not on a special day like Valentine's Day, which has become one of the busiest days in the restaurant year. Usually there's a prix fixe menu at inflated prices. We're simply not willing to pay the extra money for food that's more than we can eat and most likely not the best choice for our meal plan.

So we opt to "cook in" on Valentine's Day where we can enjoy some quiet conversation, lots of mood music to keep the evening romantic, maybe a little dancing in the kitchen, and a meal that we know will be not only equal to, but possibly better than what we can get in a restaurant. Besides, we think that making a meal for two is a very romantic activity. Our menu is elegant but simple since Valentine's Day falls on a Friday this year, a workday for most of us. The starter comes in the form of a delightful salad that we've frequently enjoyed at Mojo Café in Cleveland, Ohio. Chef/Owner Bill Herschman graciously gave us his recipe, which requires making croutons out of polenta, and caramelizing shallots. I've simplified the recipe to create my own memorable recipe. It perfectly set the tone for the delicious entrée to come. It's a variation of Coq au Vin that I enjoyed on a cruise ship last year as we were anchored just off the harbor of St. Tropez in the south of France. Dessert is extra special and contains just enough chocolate to celebrate the day. Serve this meal on elegant china with gleaming crystal and silver. Fuss a little with a few fresh flowers and light candles all over the room. Don't forget to exchange Valentine cards!   Warm Arugula with Mozzarella and Balsamic Vinaigrette Coq au St. Tropez Purchased French Bread Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries (for the recipes, click on the individual recipe above) FTG