It was a strange Valentine's Day for us yesterday - Paul was sick and took the day off of work. I was busy with work running a conference in Toronto. It's the first time we've ever been apart for Valentine's Day.
BAH
We ended up having a special dinner on Saturday. The table was set with bunches of tulips (as always - we both abhor roses).
Paul mixed up a Cab Franc Ice Wine martini which we enjoyed by the fire. MMMMM
The first course was a composed salad from a Jamie liver cookbook. Paul pulled it together - burrata, citrus, smoked prosciutto, pomegranate arils, greens, and Parmesan cheese. It was so good we had the same salad then next night as well!
Next up were some heart-shaped ravioli. They were stuffed with ricotta and spinach. We made a gorgonzola and toasted walnut sauce to accompany them.
For the mai course we made one of our favourite jamie Olive recipes - a 12 hour slow-roasted pork shoulder coated with a fennel rub; gravy; an amazing potato, leek, and gruyere galette from Martha Stewart; and roasted carrots and beets. AMAZING!!!
We were pretty full by then so we waited a bit before dessert. When we finally indulged it was with this decadent chocolate fudge cake. MMMM
Yes, it was a great meal and the company was even better. Just the same, I would have eaten Kraft dinner and had a diet coke if it had meant we could havebeen together last night and Paul weren't suffering from this sinus infection.
Next year . . .
Lovely dinner as would not be a surprise but your last sentence really tugged at my heart strings. You really hit the mark on that one. Lucky in love that's what you are! Really lovely this whole post. I'm going to make this complete dinner sometime. Fantastic!
Posted by: Barb Cabot | February 15, 2012 at 09:16 PM
So pretty, all of it. Looks like a perfect celebration and next year, I'm sure will be even better. Hope Paul is feeling better now.
Posted by: Kayte | February 15, 2012 at 09:36 PM
The whole menu sounds fabulous! I asked Luigi if he missed Uncle Jerry and Uncle Paul, and he ran and got his lobster!
Posted by: Palma | February 17, 2012 at 11:02 AM
yup, it was a fine meal with better company.:-)
Kayte - Paul is starting to feel better but he has now infected me. ARGH It is rare for me to get sick so soon after my last horrid cold.
That luigi is a very smart boy Palma - it must be his parents!
Posted by: JDeQ | February 20, 2012 at 08:41 AM