Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two
Set the Stage:
It can be simple to set the stage for a romantic dinner for two. Literally think of your table as your stage set. A white or red table cloth or place mats can make a perfect background for romance. Unfurl some red ribbon and let it flutter naturally on the cloth. Small votives, or candles will add a sense of mystery, and a bunch of red roses – or a single rose placed at each setting, will add the scent of romance. Sprinkle candy hearts or wrapped candy kisses all around and you’ve got it going on for the beginnings of a fabulous evening. Don’t forget to download your favorite love songs – the ones you loved when you first met!
Show your Fondness with a Fabulous Fondue:
It can be simple to set the stage for a romantic dinner for two. Literally think of your table as your stage set. A white or red table cloth or place mats can make a perfect background for romance. Unfurl some red ribbon and let it flutter naturally on the cloth. Small votives, or candles will add a sense of mystery, and a bunch of red roses – or a single rose placed at each setting, will add the scent of romance. Sprinkle candy hearts or wrapped candy kisses all around and you’ve got it going on for the beginnings of a fabulous evening. Don’t forget to download your favorite love songs – the ones you loved when you first met!
Show your Fondness with a Fabulous Fondue:
Fondue is a romantic’s favorite! Savoring and sharing the creamy concoction is a sheer delight. Bring out the fondue pot, or pick up a new one…or a used one in garage sales or antique stores. No fondue pot? Use a heavy saucepan instead. You can substitute the Gruyere if it is hard to find, using Baby Swiss or regular Swiss. You must use white wine in this recipe; the acid in the wine is what helps the cheese stay dreamily creamy as it melts.
Ingredients:
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
2 Tbsp. Flour
1 clove garlic, cut in half
1-1/2 cups dry white wine such as our Sun Fish Chardonnay
1 Tbsp. Lemon juice OR 2 Tbsp. Kirsch, if desired
Preparation:
Coat cheeses with flour by tossing together in a large bowl. Rub garlic on the bottom and sides of the fondue dish and discard, or rub garlic on bottom and sides of heavy saucepan. Pour wine into fondue dish and heat just until bubbles rise to the surface. Stir in lemon juice or kirsch, if using.
Gradually add floured cheese, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly over low heat, until cheeses are melted. You may add more cheese or wine, as needed, to reach the desired consistency. If you made the fondue in a regular saucepan, pour the hot fondue into a round pan you can keep warm over a hot plate on the table.
Cut French bread or a round rustic loaf into cubes. Dip the cubed bread into the fondue and enjoy!
For the perfect wine pairing for this luscious recipe, try one of these wines:
Sun Fish 2008 Mendocino Chardonnay
This 2008 Sun Fish Mendocino Chardonnay has fresh ripe aromas of apple and peach with hints of citrus and golden raspberry. The flavors are light and lively with medium acidity, fruity flavors and nice round mouth-feel. The finish is fruity and mellow with hints of acidity.
De Beaumont Cellars 2008 Alexander Valley White Meritage
This 2008 De Beaumont Cellars Alexander Valley White Meritage has deep and complex fruit aromas. The citrus, green apple and tropical aromas are framed with a mild honey character and light spiciness. The flavor is silky smooth and a wonderful compliment to the aroma.
The perfect end to a romantic evening has got to be chocolate covered strawberries. These can be made in a flash. Pair them with these wines:
Mariana Vineyard 2007 Mendocino Zinfandel
This 2007 Mariana Vineyard Mendocino Zinfandel has aromas of plum, blackberry and sandalwood with hints of moist tobacco and spice. This is a big mouthwatering wine with medium tannin. The finish is long and juicy with underlying oak.
Mariana Vineyard 2007 Mendocino Petite Sirah
This 2007 Mariana Vineyard Mendocino Petite Sirah has aromas of blackberry, blueberry and anise with hints of cherry and spice. The tannin is light giving the wine a medium-weight on the palate and allowing the fruit to shine through. The finish is medium to long and focused on the fruit with the smooth tannin acting as a platter to showcase the ripe flavors.
Super Easy CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES (MICROWAVE):
Ingredients:
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate pieces
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 pt. fresh strawberries, hulls intact, washed & dried
Preparation:
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. In a 1-quart microwave proof bowl, place the chocolate, then adding the butter on top in center. Microwave on medium for 2 minutes, then stir. Continue microwaving on medium for 30 seconds to 1 minute more, until chocolate and butter are all melted, stirring frequently.
Using the strawberry hulls as handles, partially dip the strawberries into chocolate, twirling the strawberries in the chocolate to cover berries. Then place berries, hull side down, on the wax paper lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes before serving.
Published by WineShop At Home
Copyright © 2010 WineShop At Home. All rights reserved.
Ingredients:
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
2 Tbsp. Flour
1 clove garlic, cut in half
1-1/2 cups dry white wine such as our Sun Fish Chardonnay
1 Tbsp. Lemon juice OR 2 Tbsp. Kirsch, if desired
Preparation:
Coat cheeses with flour by tossing together in a large bowl. Rub garlic on the bottom and sides of the fondue dish and discard, or rub garlic on bottom and sides of heavy saucepan. Pour wine into fondue dish and heat just until bubbles rise to the surface. Stir in lemon juice or kirsch, if using.
Gradually add floured cheese, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly over low heat, until cheeses are melted. You may add more cheese or wine, as needed, to reach the desired consistency. If you made the fondue in a regular saucepan, pour the hot fondue into a round pan you can keep warm over a hot plate on the table.
Cut French bread or a round rustic loaf into cubes. Dip the cubed bread into the fondue and enjoy!
For the perfect wine pairing for this luscious recipe, try one of these wines:
Sun Fish 2008 Mendocino Chardonnay
This 2008 Sun Fish Mendocino Chardonnay has fresh ripe aromas of apple and peach with hints of citrus and golden raspberry. The flavors are light and lively with medium acidity, fruity flavors and nice round mouth-feel. The finish is fruity and mellow with hints of acidity.
De Beaumont Cellars 2008 Alexander Valley White Meritage
This 2008 De Beaumont Cellars Alexander Valley White Meritage has deep and complex fruit aromas. The citrus, green apple and tropical aromas are framed with a mild honey character and light spiciness. The flavor is silky smooth and a wonderful compliment to the aroma.
The perfect end to a romantic evening has got to be chocolate covered strawberries. These can be made in a flash. Pair them with these wines:
Mariana Vineyard 2007 Mendocino Zinfandel
This 2007 Mariana Vineyard Mendocino Zinfandel has aromas of plum, blackberry and sandalwood with hints of moist tobacco and spice. This is a big mouthwatering wine with medium tannin. The finish is long and juicy with underlying oak.
Mariana Vineyard 2007 Mendocino Petite Sirah
This 2007 Mariana Vineyard Mendocino Petite Sirah has aromas of blackberry, blueberry and anise with hints of cherry and spice. The tannin is light giving the wine a medium-weight on the palate and allowing the fruit to shine through. The finish is medium to long and focused on the fruit with the smooth tannin acting as a platter to showcase the ripe flavors.
Super Easy CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES (MICROWAVE):
Ingredients:
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate pieces
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 pt. fresh strawberries, hulls intact, washed & dried
Preparation:
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. In a 1-quart microwave proof bowl, place the chocolate, then adding the butter on top in center. Microwave on medium for 2 minutes, then stir. Continue microwaving on medium for 30 seconds to 1 minute more, until chocolate and butter are all melted, stirring frequently.
Using the strawberry hulls as handles, partially dip the strawberries into chocolate, twirling the strawberries in the chocolate to cover berries. Then place berries, hull side down, on the wax paper lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes before serving.
Published by WineShop At Home
Copyright © 2010 WineShop At Home. All rights reserved.
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