Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and romance. Whether you are dating, involved in a relationship, engaged, or married, on February 14th, couples across the country step away from their daily routines to embrace an evening of enchantment with their loved ones.  Flowers, chocolates, special gifts, dining in, or eating out...reservations, trips abroad, a long weekend get-away--what did you do in the name of love? We'd love to hear your stories. Here are a few:


virginia + tom, committed relationship

My Valentines Day was fabulous! Last night at 7:00 the only people left in the office were the three happily married young people - me and two guys....the singletons were long gone!!! When I got home two things were off.....the lights were mostly turned off and  tom was vacuuming??

I went in; turned the lites on--nothing interesting in sight, so I went about preparing his favorite seduction meal, rib eye steak marinated in red wine, onion powder, thyme, salt 'n pepper, served with new potatoes with sour cream and chives, and a green salad - he gets this every year!

I don't expect anything form him as he is very cynical about the whole from this pressure-filled hallmark holiday-thing, but he kept urging me to go into the bedroom. The lights were off and when I turned them on there were a dozen beautiful long stemmed red roses and a  gift bag. In it was a teddy bear holding a heart shaped box and in the box was a pair of diamond earrings...

ellen + jeff, married

I had THE most romantic Valentines Day ever--although I have a lot of close seconds. My husband is A+ in the romance category. When Jeff came home from work, he told me to go into the bedroom and wait until he knocked on the door. He came to the bedroom, took my hand an walked me into the living room. There were candles lit everywhere---the room was aglow!  Standing in the corner playing the violin was a student from Juliard playing Tchaikovsky. She serenaded the two of us with seven more exceptional musical pieces; giving us a little history about each song-- it was so beautiful!  And the timing was perfect--when she was done, as she left--the doorman buzzed to let us know the delivery man from Patsy's Pizzeria was downstairs. Life couldn't be any better!  

randee + kevin, married

Valentines day was really nice!
Kevin brought me coffee in bed where we exchanged cards.

I came downstairs to find long stem roses in a vase.
We went to Bravo Bravo in Mystic for dinner.

I had a bellini martini (peach schnapps, champagne, raspberry and an orange twist) and Kevin had a dirty martini.
We split a warm goat cheese salad.
Their bread is awesome (served with red pepper hummus, olives and olive oil).

I had Salmon with blood orange salsa over jasmine dirty rice.
Kevin had pork chops with mashed potatoes.

I had Chardonnay, he had Russian River Pinot Noir.
They had wine glasses on every table with valentine's hearts.. I picked ALL MINE!

We came home, looked at the moon and acknowledged our blessings.
Then Kevin made a fire in the fireplace and we watched "Becoming Jane" with Anne Hathaway about Jane Austen.

chris + peggy, married

Chris and Peggy drank:

Blood Orange + Lime + Vodka cocktails
Manzanilla Sherry
Veuve Cliquot

Those are roasted pine nuts in the middle, too.


My Valentine - I surprised my husband with a romantic dinner. Menu: Strawberry, goat cheese salad. Filet of beef au poivre (barefoot contessa) with roasted potatoes. Chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. Complete with candles and flowers. I found everything on foodnetwork.com. I don't normally cook, so my husband was really surprised.

alison + irene, "in escrow"

My girlfriend picked a restaurant several weeks ago and made us a reservation; I read the menu and its EXACTLY the same as other nights, but the prix fixe was twice as much just cause its Valentine's Day. So we decided to stay in and go out another night. Seemed like a better idea since sometimes I work late and its hard to make dinner plans in advance. So now, Irene (who loves to have an excuse to cook something new) is making us what she calls a "rock & roll clambake" comprised of clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops and lobster.  We sometimes go to BLT Fish Shack (www.bltfish.com/shack/)  on Monday nights for the "rock & roll clambake."  Irene wants to try and recreate it at home. Dessert is a surprise.

As it turns out, the menu was changed from the "rock & roll clambake" to the "Rustic Seafood Stew", but it was equally delicious.



Christy + Steve, engaged
 
We went to this little place in our neighborhood called Elote. It's Mexican. Steve loves Mexican food, and I've sort of been obsessed with Mexican food and culture since we got engaged in Tulum (in the Yucatan) in December.

The restaurant is usually a casual kind of place, but the staff dressed up for the occasion, and they were playing romantic music in the background - lots of love songs.

The oyster stew was yummy, and I loved the scallop appetizer. And the margaritas there, are kick ass. Overall, it was delicious (and a bargain to boot).

stacey, single

I went to a friends house where 5 of us watched Lost. I brought a 7 layer dip, and my pal Cher made a slow cooking roast.




Jeff + Katie, married, 1 child

Pre-Valentine's day dinner included Saturday night dining at Peter Luger's with another couple. Two orders of steak-for-two, medium-well for the girls and medium-rare for the guys. Side orders included tomato and onions, cream of spinach and fries. Desert was a key lime and chocolate cake slice with schlag, which is an incredible German whipped cream. Amazing. It was planned for two weeks, hence the amazing dining time we got for 4:45 :-)

For Valentine's evening I made a salad which consisted of fresh spinach with crushed walnuts, chopped shallots, fresh breadcrumbs drizzled with a light olive oil and vinegar dressing as the foundation. On top I prepared thin breaded chicken strips topped off by toasted breaded disks of goat cheese and garnered with apple slices. It was really good!

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I've always thought this was the perfect meal for two. It's fun, intimate, could be sexy, and anything fueled by fire is mesmerizing. When I read Melissa Clark's article in the New York Times, A Little Nostalgia and a Lot of Cheese, I was convinced it was time to start experimenting with fondues--the recipes and stories will follow.

In the meantime, I highly suggest Fondue as a perfect romantic meal for two. And Melissa's recipes are captivating: Sweet Gorgonzola Fondue, Queso Fundido, Red Wine Garlic Fondue, and Dark Beer and Caramelized Onion Fondue--yummy! I have shared three recipes below.

Grab your Seduction Meal partner and a good bottle of wine or beer, play some fiery hot tunes, and Fire it Up!


Melissa Clark's Recipe: Sweet Gorgonzola Fondue Adapted from Artisanal

Time: 15 minutes

1 garlic clove, halved

1 cup sweet wine, such as Passito di Pantelleria or Sauternes

3/4 pound Gorgonzola dolce or other blue cheese, such as Stilton, crumbled

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon cream cheese

Kosher salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Crusty bread, apple cubes or grapes, for serving.

1. Rub cut side of garlic on inside of a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed saucepan, rubbing the bottom and half way up the sides. Add wine and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss Gorgonzola with cornstarch. Add a quarter of the cheese into simmering wine; reduce heat to medium, and whisk constantly until cheese is completely melted. Repeat until all cheese has been added. Whisk in cream cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread, apple cubes and grapes.

Yield: 6 main course servings or 10 appetizer servings.

Melissa Clark Recipe: Queso Fundido

Time: 15 minutes

3 ounces chorizo, sliced 1/4 inch thick

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 to 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded, if desired, and finely chopped

1/2 pound Oaxacan cheese, mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese, diced small

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Corn or flour tortillas, for serving.

1. In a medium skillet or a flame-proof gratin dish over moderate-high heat, cook chorizo until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving any rendered fat in pan.

2. Stir in olive oil and jalapeño. Cook for 1 minute. Add cheese, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is fully melted, about 3 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and chorizo and serve hot from pan with tortillas for scooping up mixture.

Yield: 4 servings.

Melissa Clark Recipe for Classic Fondue

Time: 15 minutes

1 small garlic clove, halved

1 cup dry white wine

3/4 pound Gruyère cheese, grated

3/4 pound Emmenthaler, raclette or Appenzeller cheese, grated

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 to 2 tablespoons kirsch (optional)

Kosher salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste (optional)

Crusty bread cubes; steamed broccoli or cauliflower; carrot, celery or fennel sticks; cubed apple; seedless grapes; clementine sections; cubed salami, soppressata or kielbasa; roasted chestnuts and/or dried apricots, for serving.

1. Rub cut side of garlic on inside of large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed saucepan, preferably cast iron, rubbing the bottom and halfway up the sides. Add wine and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss cheeses with cornstarch. Add a handful at a time to simmering wine, stirring until first handful melts before adding next. Reduce heat to medium and stir constantly until cheese is completely melted. Add kirsch, if using, and heat until bubbling, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, if desired. Serve with crusty bread and other accompaniments.

Yield: 6 main course servings or 10 appetizer servings.

Go to The New York Times to read Melissa's full article and review the other fondue recipes--trust me there are many amazing variations--you'll want to try them all!

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Roses. A box of chocolates. Love letters. Champagne. How do you let your lover know how you feel? Why not kindle the flames of love by creating the perfect blend of desire and satisfaction with an intimate, fiery hot dinner date at your place, making Valentine's Day (or night) a Seduction Meal to remember.

For the next 3 weeks Seduction Meals will feature Fiery Hot recipes for Valentines Day--all of which include cooking with FIRE and/or Hot Spices such as Steak Au Poivre, Sweet Gorgonzola Fondue, Char Grilled Oysters, Chicken Normandy, Creme Brulee, Black Cod ala Mediterranean, Crepe Suzette, and more.

There'll be Valentien's Day articles with links to the BEST Chocolate to send to your sweet heart as well as a story on Provocative Games for Two. Be sure to  tune in all month --we promise to make your recipe for a steamy hot date a night to remember.

Stay tuned! If you would like to receive an email for each post just add your information to the Seduction Meals Email  Box on the left column of the home page.

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You've captured his or her attention, you've had a date or two; now you must perform act three: The Perfect Seduction Meal...at your place.

Woman love men who cook, let alone men who cook well. Men appreciate and adore women who truly understand the magical powers of food; and when combined with the artful dance of seduction--hearts will melt. When you master the enchantment of culinary seduction it can lead to so much more--the rest is up to your sensuality, charm and ability to stir desire. Here are a few Seduction Meals, with links to recipes, and suggested music play lists to bewitch those that enter your lair.



Seafood Seduction
Menu:
Char-Grilled Oysters served with Champagne
Lobster with Chardonnay Sauce, or Lobster + Corn Chowder
Truffles with Ice Wine

Music Play List:

1. Ooh La La - Goldfrapp
2. Bohemia Like You - The Dandy Warhols
3. Is You Or Is You Ain't My Baby - Dinah Washington
4. Clocks - Coldplay
5. The rest is up to you....
   

Italian Seduction
Menu
Spicy Garlic Shrimp served with white wine or Prosecco
Mediterranean Pasta, or Calamari Fra Diablo ,or Mushroom + Fontana Cheese Lasagne

Serve small portions - you want to feel light and energetic for the rest of the evening's affairs.

Music Playlist

1. And I Love Her - Plaza Mayor
2. Kiss of Life - Sade
3. Teach Me Tonight - Dinah Washington
4. Siboney - Connie Francis - Plaza Mayor
5. Wicked Games - Chris Isaak
6. Inspiration - Gypsy Kings
7. The rest is up to you
   

The "Next Day in Bed" Seduction
Menu
The Seducers Breakfast - Eggs Benedict and champagne
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries* served with more Champagne

*or you can order any of the fruit dipped chocolates listed below the strawberry recipe in this link

Music Playlist

1. Gymnopedie 1 through 8 - The  Magic of Satie by Jean-Yves Thibaudet
2. Lakme - Leo Delibes
   
3. Victory - Larent Petitgand / Faraway so Close soundtrack
4. Tristan und Isolde - Wagner
5. Romeo and Juliette - Tchaikovsky
6. Bolero - Ravel
7. The rest is up to you
   

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Well here it is, the first day of my blog. So what's it all about?

Seduction Meals is about food + romance and the premise that everyone should learn to master one dish that is their signature dish--a Seduction Meal, to enchant and captivate that special someone in your life. From simple to gourmet, whatever your style, anytime you find someone "oohing and ahhing" over the food you've served, and the overall experience moves you closer to your desired intent... you can consider that a Seduction Meal.

While the taste of your meal is paramount, the overall holistic experience is also key: the ambiance of the room or location, the time of day, the aromas, the presentation of the meal, the music played, the drinks served--it all adds up.

Let me paint a picture...

That special someone has accepted your invitation--dinner at your place. What will you do for this potentially enchanting evening? A rooftop soiree with stars overhead, sultry music, a candle lit table with bouillabaisse for two. Or, perhaps its your anniversary, you want to do something seductively romantic. What do you have in mind? Champagne and caviar served in front of the fireplace followed by chocolate dipped strawberries. Or, maybe chocolate body paint is more your style. . .

The reason for your Seduction Meal may vary; the first date at your place, a special celebration, taking your relationship to the next level, or an anniversary. The main purpose of this blog is to share recipes, stories, mistakes and tips on how to prepare for your special occasion. But more than anything I welcome hearing from YOU and learning about YOUR favorite recipes, YOUR favorite music, and YOUR Seduction Meal stories--good and bad. 

Let's have some fun sharing two of life's universal pleasures, food + romance.

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