Valentine’s Day at Home: The Apps

For many of us, cooking at home for (or with) someone we love is the ultimate way to spend Valentine’s Day. Why leave your cozy cocoon when all you need is right there? If you are a member of this romantic tribe, we have a few fun ideas for dinner à deux.

One way to make the evening special is to include luxurious ingredients. Caviar is the ultimate “special occasion” food, and it is reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Famed lover Casanova was known to enjoy it, and on the other end of the spectrum, Henry Kissinger said of it, “I’d do anything for caviar and probably did.” If you are sharing dinner with an avowed caviar fan, then by all means, pop open a tin.

Caviar Crackle 4
D’Artagnan Ossetra-sized Malossol caviar

Simple is best when it comes to caviar. Blinis topped with crème fraîche and a dollop of caviar is all you need. Or you can use a tiny red potato as the caviar delivery vehicle. Just remember to keep the caviar cold, cold, cold. Open the tin 15 to 20 minutes before serving and keep it on a bed of ice to maintain the temperature.

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Baby Red Potatoes with Caviar and Crème Fraiche

Not feeling the cold thing? Try these warm melt-in-your-mouth puffs of heaven. Scented with black truffle butter. What else can we say?  These gougeres are the perfect bites for your aperitif.

D'Artagnan Truffle Butter Gougeres
D’Artagnan Truffle Butter Gougeres

Our French Kisses are the ultimate easy appetizer. Just pop them out of the container and serve. What are they? Dried plums that have been marinated in Armagnac and then stuffed with mousse of foie gras.

French Kisses
D’Artagnan’s signature French Kisses

And speaking of foie gras, an impressive and quick first course for your romantic dinner might be as easy as searing up two slices of foie gras and serving with a sauce. This recipe from Canal House is perfect. Just cut the portion down to two slices of foie gras.

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Seared Foie Gras with Green Grapes

Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter for the brioche to make these truffle butter toasts with quail eggs just a little more holiday appropriate. They have to be made just prior to serving, so plan carefully.

Recipe_Quail_Egg_Toast_HomeMedium
Truffled Quail Egg Toast

That takes care of your first course. Try not to fill up on foie gras, caviar and truffle butter, because the main event is yet to come.

 

 

 

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