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Will You Be Eating Out or Cooking on Valentine's Day?

partysugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 06:45:44 -0800

Let's Dish: What Was Your Most Romantic Meal Ever?

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:45:01 -0800

With Valentine's Day coming up this weekend, I've got romantic meals on the brain, and it naturally makes me think of the most romantic dinner I've ever had. Six years ago, my sweetheart and I had an impromptu dinner at a French restaurant in New York City.

Everything about it was perfect, from the outdoor garden with its trickling fountain to the thoughtfully prepared food. The service was impeccable.

As one diner strained to read her check, I noticed the waiter make the slightest, most inconspicuous adjustment to the lighting in the garden. The chef not only generously sent out dessert wine on the house, but he also graciously thanked us for coming as we were the last ones to leave the restaurant. Oh, and did I mention that I was completely head over heels in love?

The emotions surrounding that dinner were so unforgettable that, for the next two days, I felt like I was floating on a cloud. The restaurant is now closed, but that only makes my memory of the experience more sacred. Tell me: What was your most romantic dining experience ever?

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A Valentine's Menu That Won't Break the Scale

partysugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:00:53 -0800

Recently I received a personal message from a reader asking for advice on what to cook her boyfriend for Valentine's Day. They've been working out together and eating healthy, so she was looking for a menu that wouldn't ruin their diet. Here, I've come up with a decadent dinner menu that won't pack on pounds. To start, serve an appetizer of the freshest raw oysters (if you dislike oysters, opt for shrimp cocktail) with a glass of sparkling wine. For the main course, pair a huge green salad alongside classic cheese fondue. Select dippers that are diet-friendly like crudités, wheat bread croutons, and lean proteins. Instead of indulging in a calorie-packed dessert, splurge on a high-quality bar of dark chocolate and enjoy with a bottle of port.

What menu would you advise for a health-conscious couple? To check out these recipes, read more.

Raw Oysters
From Martha Stewart

1 tablespoon pink peppercorns
1 tablespoon green peppercorns
1 tablespoon fennel seed, lightly toasted
1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
1/2 cup champagne vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 dozen fresh oysters

In a small bowl, combine peppercorns, fennel seed, vinegars, and salt.
Shuck oysters just before serving; arrange on bed of crushed ice.
Drizzle with mignonette, or serve on the side. Serve immediately.

Serves 8.

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Cheese Fondue
From Gourmet magazine

1 garlic clove, halved crosswise
1 1/2 cups dry white wine (preferably Swiss, such as Fendant)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons kirsch
1/2 lb Emmental cheese, coarsely grated (2 cups)
1/2 lb Gruyère , coarsely grated (2 cups)
cubes of French bread on fondue forks or long wooden skewers
Special equipment: a fondue pot

Rub inside of a 4-quart heavy pot with cut sides of garlic, then discard garlic. Add wine to pot and bring just to a simmer over moderate heat.
Stir together cornstarch and kirsch in a cup.
Gradually add cheese to pot and cook, stirring constantly in a zigzag pattern (not a circular motion) to prevent cheese from balling up, until cheese is just melted and creamy (do not let boil).
Stir cornstarch mixture again and stir into fondue. Bring fondue to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thickened, 5 to 8 minutes.
Transfer to fondue pot set over a flame and serve with bread for dipping.

Serves 6.

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Mixed Green Salad With Tarragon Vinaigrette
From Gourmet

Ingredients

4 teaspoons Sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 lb frisée (French curly endive), torn into bite-size pieces
1 head Boston lettuce (1 lb), torn into bite-size pieces
1 bunch arugula (1/2 lb), coarse stems discarded
1 bunch watercress (1/2 lb), coarse stems discarded

Directions

Whisk together vinegar, shallot, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in tarragon.
Toss greens with dressing in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper.

Serves 8.

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What Is Your Ideal Romantic Meal?

partysugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 10:55:31 -0700

I was just reading all of the fabulous engagement stories over on DearSugar and it got me daydreaming about candlelit dinners, beach-side lunches, and breakfasts in bed. I am a huge fan of romantic meals in every shape and form. My last boyfriend was a soccer player and he had practice every night which allowed me to prepare surprise lovey-dovey dinners for him as often as once a week. Still it's always wonderful to go someplace insanely romantic and enjoy a delicious meal as well as each other's company. So in honor of engagement week, what is your ideal romantic meal?

Off To Market Recap: Romantic Meatless Dinner

partysugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 12:58:53 -0800

Not too long ago, two of my very good friends Enrique and Elizabeth fell in love (ok maybe I'm jumping the gun here but according to my other girlfriend Eli they were totally all over each other at the Fito concert last Friday night). To show how he feels, Enrique asked me to help him plan a romantic surprise dinner for her! He wanted me to come up with a romantic meatless menu because Elizabeth doesn't eat meat (she does eat fish) and he is mostly used to cooking dishes based with chicken, pork, or beef. I asked you to help me out by adding your best romantic recipes to the recipe database and tagging them with the keywords Romantic Meatless Dinner. A super special thanks to crispet1 for coming up with a delicious and wonderful menu.
To start, crispet1 has Enrique making a simple yet extravagant appetizer of Baked Scallops Waldo.

To see the rest of crispet1's romantic meatless dinner menu, read more

For the second course Enrique will serve a scrumptious Splendid Raspberry Spinach Salad. As the main he'll serve a classic Spanish favorite: rice with the traditional Italian technique. crispet1's Wild Mushroom Risotto is made with vegetable broth making it completely vegetarian friendly. A Valentine's meal would not be complete without a sweet ending. Molten Mocha Cakes look mouth-watering good and will be the perfect finish to a perfect meal.

Click on an image below to take a peek at the recipes.

To learn how to save your recipes to the database please read geeksugar's explanation.

Second Date: An Easy, Romantic, Homemade Dinner

partysugar — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:13:13 -0800

You've made it past the first date, the first kiss, and those first awkward silences. He has grilled steaks for you at his place while you watched him dreamily and sipped on your Pinot. Now it's your turn to invite him over for a thoughtful and delectable meal prepared by you! If you start to panic while reading the above scenario, take a deep breath, I've come here to rescue you. First of all you can (and will) prepare an easy dinner that will wow him. No man can refuse a good old plate of meat and potatoes so give him what he wants: chicken and potatoes. Show off your sophisticated style by taking regular chicken 'n' taters to the next level: Chicken Roll-Ups With Goat Cheese And Arugula and Garlic Roast Potatoes. The potatoes can be roasting in the oven when he arrives and the rolled up chicken waiting to be cooked in the fridge. Cap the night with Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares: or purchase a sweet treat at your favorite bakery. Make sure he brings the wine and you're guaranteed to have an easy, stress-free romantic dinner.

Romantic Side: Champagne Risotto

partysugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 03:12:11 -0800

I consider risotto to be the sexiest of rice dishes. It's Italian, it's creamy, and it takes time (and love) to make it. Risotto is typically made with red or white wine, but why not jazz it up a bit for Valentine's Day by making it with champagne? It gives you a great excuse to pop open a bottle of bubbly and you can enjoy a glass or two while stirring away. Risotto pairs nicely with fish, poultry, or meat and this version can easily be modified to include pancetta or mushrooms or asparagus... whatever floats your fancy! To make this for your happy single self or for your sweet boy toy, read more

Champagne Risotto
From Cucina Testa Rossa

2 1/2 cups risotto rice (such as arborio)
3 shallots, chopped (or 1 onion, but I prefer shallots)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
olive oil
4-5 cups chicken stock/chicken broth (or water in a pinch)
2 cups champagne
½ cup crème fraîche (or heavy cream) – optional

Sauté shallots in olive oil until translucent.
Add garlic and rice and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Add 1 cup of champagne and stir until almost all absorbed.
Continue adding stock/broth in 1-cup amounts. Continue stirring and cook until almost done.
Add champagne as last liquid and cook til done.
Take off heat and stir in crème fraîche.

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Come Party With Me: Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner - Music

partysugar — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 06:57:32 -0800

The stage is set for my intimate Valentine's Day dinner. My gorgeous, fabulous boyfriend is expected at my house in thirty minutes, the smell of fresh clams baking wafts through the air, the champagne flutes are in the freezer and the bubbly is chilling on ice, rose petals are strewn elegantly around the house, and the candles are lit creating gentle sexy shadows. Now all I have to do is hit play on my iPod to officially begin the most romantic evening of the year. Doesn't it sound absolutely divino (divine in Spanish, pronounced DE-VE-NO, sounds so much more divine to me)?

An evening in with just me and my non-existent imaginary boyfriend... Ok so I'm single and I won't be hosting a private seductive dinner, but that doesn't mean you can't! Girls with unromantic boyfriends, this Come Party With Me is dedicated to you, blow him away next Wednesday with an enticing meal. I have planned everything out for you, everything except the playlist, which you can take a look at if you read more

Whenever I host an intimate party I like to make a special cd to listen to during the party and give it to my guests as a reminder of the event. So I'll make a playlist with the most romantic songs, play the cd during the dinner, and surprise my niño with a copy to go along with his Valentine's Day present. Luckily BuzzSugar, my go-to-girl for playlists (she always comes through with the most amazing songs!), has created not one, but five Valentine's Day playlists! I'll look through her playlists and compile a selection of songs perfect for listening to during a romantic dinner.

Come Party With Me: Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner - The Look

partysugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 06:59:43 -0800

Valentine's Day is less than a week away and the only thing stopping you from having an incredibly lovey-dovey dinner with your lover is yourself. It's not impossible, you can plan a private little passionate evening for you and your honey bun that's sure to be 101 pounds of fun. Many couples feel pressured to spend a lot of money on an expensive meal at a fancy restaurant in order to properly celebrate their love for one another. I propose that instead of making reservations, you make plans to host your own special dinner to express your heartfelt, genuine feelings for your guy. You will be in control of everything including a hand written invitation, a budget-able meal, and an enticing bottle of champagne. To learn how to change the look of your house to reflect that of a romantic seductress, read more

Start with a clean and clutter free house (this includes the bedroom where the party will most likely move to at some point during the night!). A mess will only make the situation feel tense and stressful.
Cast alluring shadows by lighting all of the candles in your house. Especially if you have a few that will fill the rooms with fragrant floral aromas like lavender, jasmine, or tuberose.

Instead of having dinner on your regular everyday table/special dining room table, set up a super small folding table or tv dinner tray near your fireplace, balcony, or large window with a view.
Cover the table with a red, pink, or lacy white tablecloth (or piece of fabric).
Set two place settings using your best china and put a clear vase with a single beautiful rose in vibrant red, blushing pink, or snowy white in the center.
Arrange two chairs so you sit very close, side by side while you enjoy the dinner.

The morning of Valentine's Day make a quick stop at your local florist and ask if they have any older pink or red roses for sale. You'll use the petals as mood enhancing decor so the flowers don't need to be the freshest.
Sprinkle the petals up the walkway to your front door (if you live in an apartment building scatter some in the hallway and on your welcome mat) and on your bed.
The lighting in the bedroom should be soft and glowing and the petals sensual and inviting.

Have an amazingly alluring decor idea for a romantic dinner? Please tell me about it below! Tomorrow the last piece of the puzzle will fall into place: the music that will set the mood of the evening.

Come Party With Me: Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:58:18 -0800

Valentine's Day is a short week away and if you have not made it over to your local wine shop do so now. Why you wonder? Well you don't want them to sell out of the best champagne! You can't enjoy the most romantic day of the year without enjoying a little bit of bubbly. I'm planning a romantic dinner for you and your significant other (I'm single so I'll be sipping my sparkly with the gals). I started on Monday by creating a love note invitation and yesterday I planned out a savory seductive meal perfect for snuggling over. Today I'm discussing the drinks for this private little party of 2 and it's all about the bubbly, baby! To see my wine recommendations (and cocktail ideas) read more

Treat you and your honey to a nice bottle of champagne. If you don't know much about sparkling wine, ask the sommelier at your local wine store for help. Stay clear of large supermarkets where the sales clerks will know little about wine and instead hit up large specialty stores like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, or Cost Plus World Market (or any place where they have in store wine specialists). My picks for Napa Valley sparklers are: Roderer Estate Anderson Valley Brut and 1996 Iron Horse LD Green Valley Blanc de Blancs. If you prefer real champagne from France, try 1998 Piper-Hiedsieck Brut Vintage or 1988 Vueve Clicquot Ponsardin Rare Vinatge.

Pink Champagne (commonly referred to as Rosé) is another fun option because it is a pale pink color that will add a touch of Valentine charm to the meal. If you are against serving champagne, pour a French white such as a Pouilly-Fume or Sancerre to pair with the clams. With the main course, pour a red Zinfandel or Pinot Nior (I am really into Pinot Noir's right now).

If you and your man are hard liquor drinkers, make vodka or gin tonics festive by tossing in a few fresh raspberries. Likewise, if your guy is a hardcore beer drinker be sure to have plenty of his favorite beer on ice. For a special treat for yourself, make my favorite champagne cocktail, the fuchsia hued Kir Royale. Buy a few mini bottles if you don't want to drink an entire bottle of champagne.

What are you planning on drinking at your Valentine's Day dinner? Tell me about it below. Next up on the romantic meal plan: the decor (which is going to be super sexy) so come back tomorrow for more.