The Culinary Works

Just as we begin to breathe from the holiday hustle and bustle…Valentines Day sneaks up on us. With the economy and the many challenges we all face, I have elected to start a campaign encouraging people to do what I think is one of the most romantic things a couple can do for each other….stay home and cook a fabulous dinner together. You can still dress up, after you finish cooking of course!

As a former restaurant chef, I am not going to say don ’t go out to eat. I have friends out there waiting for their reservation books to fill on what is the busiest night of the year. And frankly, who will do just as I did, create special menus that not only help the kitchen staff carry the weight of such a busy night, but that they can also charge a premium for. That my friends is the law of supply and demand at its best. Nothing wrong with that, BUT too often we forget what it’s all about. We stress about the perfect outfit, making reservations before they are booked up, fighting the crowds, when what’s most important is taking some time to remember and appreciate what we have in each other, whether it’s our significant other, our kids, family or girlfriends! I say, lets cook together and share the experience, not just the meal.

I think some people are afraid to cook together, worried they will argue or they feel like it ’s too hard to share the duties or it’s just too much work. Mark and I are living proof that’s not true. We cook together often which means each of us only has to do half (dishes are mostly Mark’s half), sometimes one of us just fills in the gaps, like making a dipping sauce, sometimes we divide up the duties from the start but always we appreciate the chance to just hang out, chat, create and always always laugh! It doesn’t have to be a fancy meal, it could be the frozen burritos jazzed up with salsa and sour cream, not that I am recommending that, I think you are all up to a bit more of a challenge. The cardinal rule, in my opinion, for couples to successfully cook together is for everyone to LIGHTEN UP. Nothing has to be perfect; it just has to be fun. It’s all about creating sustenance for each other, together as a team. Maybe one of you is a great cook and the other will be more supportive, washing veggies, wiping counters, lighting candles (do NOT forget the candles)…or maybe you can divide things, one of you do the entrée while the other makes some veggies and tosses the salad, however it works best. Bottom line, what’s the worst outcome….you end up at the Taco Bell drive through? It could happen, but hey, if you keep your sense of humor it could become a memory you cherish forever….and, I bet you will end up with a lovely romantic meal and a new valentines tradition!

Here are some meal ideas with links to recipes on our site, everything you need is right here …or browse through the dinner, dessert and wine and/or cocktail sections for more inspiration.

Menu Idea #1:

Limoncello Shrimp Cocktail

Easy Cocoa Rubbed Fillet Mignon

Sweet Potato and Asiago Gratin

Farmers Market Brussels Sprouts

Rasberry Creme Brule

Menu Idea #2

Savory Pork Medallions with Herb Apple Sauce

Mashed Potatoes

Spicy Chard

Creme Brulee Martini

Do you want to substitute one of the dishes above? We also have recipes for Rosemary Lemon Roast Chicken, Caramelized Onion, Fennel and Apple Pork Chops, Provence Style Short Ribs, for a simple evening Alfredo Pasta, or for the culinary 'go getter', Cocoa/Chili Seared Monkfish with Chorizo Almond Cream Sauce with Parsnip Hash. Simple or complicated, makes no matter...the experience itself is what it's all about and if you give it a try, keep it simple, don't take it or yourself to seriously and promise to just have fun with it, I am willing to bet you will have a great time!

Happy Valentines Day to you all!

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