TheKitchenSinkRecipes.comValentine’s Day Menu

Valentine’s Day Menu

February 11 2009 by Kristin at The Kitchen Sink in Menu,Recipe » 11 comments

I hope I don’t sound too scroogey or anti-cupid here, but I’m not all that big on Valentine’s Day. Roses aren’t really my thing and I like to know exactly what type of filling will ooze out of a piece of chocolate if I bite into it. It’s also a day when restaurants are often at the most expensive (and not at their best quality) and emotions (trumped up by Hallmark et al) can be at their shakiest. Really, why do we go through this rigamarole year in and year out?

Rant aside, I do think Valentine’s Day is a perfect chance to cook a lavish meal, complete with a bottle of fizzing champagne. But that doesn’t make Valentine’s Day all that unique in my book. I find plenty of excuses to cook lavish meals (and, ahem, drink champagne): good news at work, birthdays, anniversaries, completed bar exams. You name it. And Valentine’s Day, I suppose, is just as good a reason as any of these others.

So today I’ve got put together a Valentine’s Day menu that fits the lavish bill and that would be lovely with a bottle of bubbly. It starts out with a bowl of Italian Chicken Soup, which is rich and warming and comforting (things we’d crave on any winter night, the night of February 14 included). The menu then moves on to pillowy, freshly-made gnocchi tossed in brown butter that’s been infused with sage and laced with crushed hazelnuts. Alongside the gnocchi is a simple but elegant salad of greens, thin half moons of cantaloupe and pink folds of prosciutto.

But what you really want to know about, I have a hunch, is this: Where’s the chocolate, lady? So, your chocolate you shall have, in the form of a wedge of Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake.

Happy (early) Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Valentine’s Day (or any special day) Menu

Italian Chicken Soup
      •
Brown Butter-Sage Gnocchi
      •
Arugula, Prosciutto & Melon Salad
      •
Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake

11 comments so far. »
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dakota says on February 11 2009 at 12:27 pm:

Hear hear! That dinner looks delicious. I feel a bit traitorous as this will be the first Valentine in 5 years that I won’t be cooking at home (we’re away from home, so I have an excuse), but my sentiment remains the same. If you can cook a lovely meal at home, why not do so? And that chocolate cheese cake looks soooooo good.
Jennifer says on February 11 2009 at 12:38 pm:

Oh my, will you be my Valentine? This is such an amazing menu!
Marthe says on February 11 2009 at 5:27 pm:

This looks absolutely perfect and very delicious!! Can I join you for dinner??
The Duo Dishes says on February 11 2009 at 6:25 pm:

The luckiest valentine is the one who gets that cheesecake!
holler says on February 12 2009 at 4:01 pm:

I love your new look! Very professional. I think changed my link for you.
Tracy says on February 13 2009 at 7:25 am:

Love the new blog! that dark chocolate ganache is certainly sensual for valentine’s day.
Nurit - 1 family. friendly. food. says on February 14 2009 at 12:06 am:

I never made Dark Chocolate Cheesecake. I should give this a try.
Marianne says on February 14 2009 at 1:23 am:

Wow, will you be my valentine? That is one excellent meal, especially that gnocchi & cheesecake. Awesome
Diane says on February 14 2009 at 7:11 am:

The menu looks amazing! I haven’t tried the gnocchi yet but can say with certainty that the others are winners. Happy Valentines Day! Love, MOM
Louise says on February 14 2009 at 5:46 pm:

I’m not quite sure how I got here but boy oh boy I sure am glad I stumbled in…I must confess, I’m not much into Valentine’s Day either. When I posted for Valentine’s Day last year, I posted a poem called In Praise of Cocoa, Cupids, & Nightcaps However, I adore your menu and must say, I’m really enjoying your blog also.

Thanks so much for sharing…bookmarked!
Kristin at The Kitchen Sink says on February 15 2009 at 8:21 pm:

Thanks, everyone! Hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day.

Louise: Thanks for your note. Welcome!