Since
time immemorial, a real good meal has always been the centre or
highlight of the most diverse celebrations. Naturally such an occasion
as Valentine's Day as a special and intimate dinner for two is a premise
and a promise of much more than just a meal, but the mood setting
prelude to romance, intimacy and, dare we hope, ecstasy or, at least, a
perfect conclusion of the day.
As every year many restaurants post the most attractive suggestion days ahead for the occasion, with the added enticing offers of the right setting and atmosphere, adornments and specially selected music of love and romance. Every detail is well thought out for the lovers to have a wonderful and memorable evening. From the classified advertisements I noticed that some go out of their way to include special additions to the meal, not just the expected candle-lights and red roses.
One chef promised roses everywhere for the decor, the long stem single rose in a tall crystal vase, also roses in the food itself, together with other edible flowers. Others have musicians playing love tunes around the tables, some offered an eight-inch photo of the lovers included in the price of the meal and other weird promises that the food that evening would not include any garlic!! The Spanish usually put garlic into everything, and I love it.
For those who prefer the real intimacy of home environment, and he or she is a good cook. it's perhaps the most intimate and relaxed dining. If nobody is a dab hand at the food department, no worry, there are special caterers offering complete meal service, comes with full table setting, including flowers, elegant China, glasses, cutlery, and a serving waiter. If you are happy to pay handsomely, even a butler! To me, that's a person too many for the evening.
If I should be dining at home, I will start off right and go for the mythical and legendary oyster for the starter. They are supposed to contain heavy doses of aphrodisiac elements. True or false doesn't matter. If you believe in it enough, your confidence is already half the battle won I reckon.
My own recipe for the oyster is very simple: Prepare 12 oysters (more than that for two would leave you no room for the main course). Clean off the upper valve, and open it up. Rinse well and lay them in a baking dish. Drizzle some lemon juice and a tiny drop of good white wine or Champagne on each, add a marble sized ball of butter on top, cover with a thin coat of grated Parmesan cheese and grill, only for a minute and certainly no more than two, till it's lightly golden. Do not add salt and pepper unless you particularly want to after trying the first bite. Champagne goes heavenly with them.
What's for main course? Actually, after all that Champagne and oysters, who cares
what food follows or whether the meal itself is good or not? The most expected is the aphrodisiac 'Desert'!
Happy Valentine Everyone!
- Current Mood:
Ecstatic
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