Valentines Day Dinner For Two at Home

     If you want to make a really romantic dinner, I would suggest something like beef burgundy. You don't want to have to concentrate on the food like cutting the meat and so forth. The beef burgundy or similar stew can be eaten without distraction from your partner.

     Another dinner I find sexy, and romantic, is very simple and there's no cooking involved. This is what you'll need.

• 1 loaf of French or Italian bread
• Green and/or Red grapes
• Cubes of two of your favorite cheeses
• A bottle or two of your favorite wine
• Some rolled up slices of your favorite meats, such as salami, corned or roast beef, chicken, etc.

     It's very simple but there's something very romantic about it. Add a couple candles and flowers and some soft sexy music and ................

Easy Way to Make a Heart Shape Out of Your Cake

     I'd like to take credit for thinking of this but I can't. I do however think it's very clever and would like to pass the tip onto you.

     If you'd like to make a heart shaped cake for your Valentine, all you have to do is to make one square and one in a round pan. When the cakes are baked and cooled, cut the round cake in half and place those halves on the right angle of the square, one on each side, frost and there's your single layer heart cake. ( and you thought algebra and math weren't ever going to come in handy, it's a good thing someone was paying attention! )

Valentines Day, The Next Big Holiday

      Come visit our holiday blog often for Valentine's Day Ideas. I think for today we'll start with something really simple and that's our heart cupcakes.

     I haven't actually tried this myself but the idea looks easy enough. What you need to do is make a fold in your cupcake papers inwards so that it looks like a heart shape. Add some red food coloring to your batter and frosting and decorate the tops after baking with the frosting and some candy hearts. Let me know how they come out!

Sweet Potato Casserole

     I just saw this sweet potato casserole on a cooking show and it looked so awesome! This link is for the piece they did with the chef who makes it, but he only gives quantity for the warm milk added, so venture with care. I think it looks well worth the experimenting.

Holiday Garlic Mashed Potatoes

     This is no ordinary garlic mashed potato recipe as this one will use roasted garlic paste with soaked potatoes. Here's how...

     You can peel the potatoes first or do it after they've boiled. This is a make ahead recipe so you will cut the potatoes in half and place into the pot you'll be boiling them in and fill it with cold water. Place into the refrigerator to soak overnight. This will remove excess starch from the potatoes. The next day when you're ready to boil, just place on the stove and put on the high heat. Boil till done.

     In the meantime peel about 15 to 25 garlic cloves and set aside. Using an oven proof frying pan, pour some olive oil into it and heat, toss in your garlic cloves and cook till garlic is browned and carmeled then place whole pan into 350 degree oven for about 15 or so minutes.

     While the garlic is in the oven, mash your potatoes. When garlic is done put into food processor and whip into a paste. Transfer the garlic paste into pan again and add some heavy cream, salt, pepper, and at least one stick of butter or margarine. Add the potatoes and mix well. Adjust ingredients for taste and texture.

Photo by Eric