Your last-minute Valentine's solution
Luke Honey 5:15pm
I’ve often thought it slightly odd that the Feast of St Valentine (that day of Love and Romance) commemorates a Roman martyr who was tortured and put to death in the most horrible fashion. Having said that, for us simple creatures of the male persuasion, Valentine’s Day can be sheer torture if you get it wrong- and, Jiminy Cricket, can you get it seriously wrong.
If you’re out to impress tonight, I would advise you to avoid restaurants at all costs. You’ll discover dewy-eyed couples holding hands, while swarthy Lotharios flog over-priced roses, serenaded by squeaky violins. It’s like appearing as out-of-work extras in an old episode of The Love Boat.
Instead, how about cooking up a romantic dinner for two over at your place? I would suggest that you keep it simple (a decent steak picked up on your way back from the Counting House would be ideal), and finish it off with strawberries dipped in chocolate.
Get hold of several bars of dark chocolate, and melt them gently in a bain-marie. This just means placing a smaller pan into a larger pan full of boiling water. The dark chocolate has more solids, and will be less likely to separate. Stir until you have a smooth sauce. Dip the strawberries in the chocolate, and then chuck them into the ‘fridge. With any luck, they should be set by the time you get onto the pudding course. They would go well with a Sauternes or Tokaji, too.
I’ve always admired that bit in Roman Polanski’s Tess, when the rakish Alec d’Urberville dangles strawberries over Nastassja Kinski’s ravishing lips. Here’s your chance! Okay, strawberries are out of season, but who cares?
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Jane Bodington
February 15th, 2008 3:11am Report this commentNo, they're not, greengrocers to supermarkets are stuffed full of the things. Or haven't Spanish strawberries rolled into dear old Blighty yet? Anyway, I'm not impressed with your menu, steak and strawberries, not even a scribble on the side of the plate in true Michelin style irrelevance? Foie Gras or something please. And you forgot to mention the wine to accompany the meat. Let alone the flowers. I'd be better off sharing the dog's biscuits. He's undoubtedly better company and wouldn't insult my intelligence by explaining a 'bain-marie', and you don't need boiling water, you place the chocolate over water that has boiled, if the chunks are small enough they will soon melt. I suggest you cuddle up with dear Delia in preparation for next year.
Kevyn Bodman
February 15th, 2008 10:02am Report this commentJane Bodington: Wow,that was a forthright comment.Interesting though.I eat my chocolate neat, high cocoa content milk chocolate.Why melt it or waste it on anything else? But, the meal: first of all, the wine: champagne,throughout the evening. No meat, fish. Poached salmon. Then the fruit: strawberries and Kiwi with a slight dribble of the lightest honey available. Flowers, not necessarily.Listening to any hint that has come in the prevoius weeks and acting on it is better than the standard red roses. But if it's to be flowers, only one red rose. And avoid great quantities of either food or wine. Music: a Scott Hamilton CD, maybe 'Ballad Essentials.' Fall back position if the mood doesn't come right; cut your losses and watch a video of Wales' recent 6 Nations victory over England. That'll prevent the problem of ever having to think about how to please the same person again next year!
Ted Tedford
February 15th, 2008 10:57am Report this commentJane Bodington: Ah, the spirit of romance lives on in a series of slightly petulant demands rounded of with some sarcasm. I bet you're a big hit with the chaps! I think I prefer the gaudy commercialism of Luke's hypothetical restaurant to your love-by-numbers laundry-list.
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