Spread the Love Through Food on Valentine's Day

Ah, Valentine’s Day is almost here -- the holiday of love.  And the holiday that can strike fear in the heart of many of a gift-giver. How do you find the perfect way to say “I love you” and show just how much you care?  I say, go with something tasty! 

Remember the old saying "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?" Well, I think that's true for women too -- basically, for anyone on your valentine's list. Luckily, there are a ton of unique, delicious food-focused gifts out there from which to choose -- ranging from elaborate and expensive to simple and cheap. So, whether you celebrate romantic love . . . love of friends and family . . . or love of yourself, you've got options. In fact, there are so many great gift ideas that I’ve broken them into two posts . . .  this one focusing on romantic ideas and the next one focusing on friendly options . . . 

Love at First Bite - Who doesn't love chocolate?  Even a plain ole Hershey bar is a treat. But for Valentine's Day, kick it up a notch and go with something rich, exotic and downright sinful!
--MarieBelle's Croquette au Chocolat bars: the best of both worlds, these bars combine silky milk or dark chocolate with bits of buttery European cookies to add crunch and intrigue. Get an impressive box of four bars for $45. 
--Debauve & Gallais “Les Incroyables”: go over-the-top with chocolates from Debauve & Gallais -- the original chocolatiers to the King. Anything you order from them will be a show-stopper, but Les Incroyables -- nougat and carmelized Spanish almonds coated with bittersweet chocolate are to die for. $65 for a 10-piece tin; $255 for a 40-piece box. 

The Main Course - Instead of your usual candlelit dinner (which is great, don’t get me wrong), why notspice things up by adding some killer ingredients or getting interactive.--Add Caviar & Truffles:  If you’re skittish about eating caviar or truffles on their own (or just don’t want to break the bank buying a large quantity) try using them as a blend-in or garnish. You’ll get the flavor, decadence and sexiness without going all out. Purchase truffle oil and drizzle a little bit over pasta for amazing flavor. Or, find a recipe like this one for Poached Scallops with Caviar Sauce from world-famous chef Eric Ripert to get started.

--Ask for the Chef’s Table: Whatever your favorite restaurant, ask if they have a “chef’s table” – this is usually a much more intimate table tucked in the kitchen or close by where you can see all the action, and be removed from the main dining room. As food can be very sensual, this could be the perfect aphrodisiac for the foodie couple!
--Take a Class: The couple that cooks together, stays together . . . so why not try a cooking class? Here in the Boston area, the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts offers a wide list of recreational classes, including couples-only options. We also have a company called Taste of Chocolate that offers chocolate workshops and tastings, which is another great idea.Check out your local cooking school, adult education program or private chef/caterers for class ideas. 
 
Something Different - OK, what if you have someone really tough to buy for on your list?  That rare individual who doesn’t like sweets? Go savory . . . or bubbly!
--Nudo’s Italian Lovers Hamper: I love Nudo – they have a wonderful program that lets you adopt your very own olive tree in Italy and reap the rewards in the form of delicious olive oil all year round!  And for Valentine’s Day, they’ve created a gift hamper to go along with their adoptions. You get pasta, artichoke antipasti spread, olive oil, a cookbook and delicious chocolates – everything for the start of a great Italian feast – plus, you get to adopt a tree for your significant other – what a great gift!  $114.99 for the hamper and adoption. 

--Sparking wine: I know champagne is the traditional drink for Valentine’s Day, but why not try sparkling wine instead? California makes some excellent vintages (and they’re often much more affordable).  Schramsberg 2002 Reserve or 2004 Brut, Iron Horse 2002 Brut, and Gloria Ferrer 2002 Royal Cuvee are all great choices – and range in price from $100 to $35.

- Sharen Santoski, www.SignalRockCommunications.com
Click here for more of Sharen's posts. 

Sharen Santonski, foodie extraordinaire, and a former member of the Spirited Woman Blogger Team will be guest blogging for Spirited Woman on her favorite subject "food." Growing up in an Italian/Polish/American home, Sharen cultivated her love of food at a very early age. She is an amateur aficionado of cooking, dining, entertaining and exploring. Bon Appetit!