This is for all caviar fans out there. A wonderful recipe to consider for your next romantic meal for two: Seared Scallop with Caviar Vinaigrette. This delightful seafood dish can be served as an appetizer to seduce the palette before serving your main dish, or this could the main star of the night. You can adjust the recipe accordingly. While this recipe calls for one scallop per person, I would definitely go for two or three. Either way, if you are fans of seafood, this is sure to please. You will be amazed at the great flavor of such a simple yet elegant dish.

Seared Scallop with Caviar Vinaigrette
Recipe courtesy of Black River Caviar from Darrell Jensen - Executive Chef, Game Creek Club

Ingredients:

• 1 each U-10 Dry Pack Sea Scallop*
• 2 teaspoon Mashed Potatoes
• 1 teaspoon White Truffle Oil
• 1 teaspoon Chives, chopped
• 2 Tablespoon Caviar Vinaigrette (see recipe below)
  
• Big Pinch - Micro Greens Intensity Mix from Natures Best

*When buying scallops it is good to note that scallops are sorted according to size. U-10 means up to 10 pieces per pound, next is 10 -20 (10 to 20 per pound), 20-30 per pound, and so on. The less per pound the larger, more succulent the scallop.

Caviar Vinaigrette:

• 1 oz  Lemon Juice
• 1 oz White Truffle Oil
• 4 oz Olive Oil
• 2 oz Champagne Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoon Shallots, minced
• 1 Tablespoon Thyme, Fresh Chopped
• 1 teaspoon Caviar
• Salt & Black Pepper

Instructions:

• Make a very small batch of mashed potatoes
• Sear the scallop in hot olive oil on one side until golden brown. Turn over and place in pre-heated oven for one to two minutes.
  
• In a small bowl, mix potatoes, truffle oil and chives and place on plate.
  
• In another small bowl, mix 2 T vinaigrette with the caviar.
  
• Place scallop on top on the potato mixture and gently place a pinch of greens above the scallop.
  
• Top the scallop with the dressing and serve.

About Chef Darrell Jensen
Chef Darrell Jensen began cooking at his best friend's family restaurant in Los Angeles when he was sixteen. After several years of working there he realized that this was the path he wanted to follow in life. He enrolled in a small cooking school which in turn sent him to the Century Plaza Hotel and Tower to do a formal ACF apprenticeship. He thrived during the three years of training under Master Chef Raimund Hofmeister. After working at several top restaurants and clubs including the Los Angeles Country Club and Michel Richard's Citrus, Chef Darrell Jensen had the opportunity to help open the Snake River Grill in Jackson Hole. He worked in Jackson Hole and Breckenridge for the next ten years before coming to the Vail Valley and opening Falling Creek with Chris Randall. He hopes to continue his success in his role as chef at The Game Creek Club.

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As you know I am all about cooking a romantic meal at home for a more intimate dining experience. However, this restaurant has caught my eye with a unique experience that might be worth trying.

CAMAJE, a New York restaurant in the West Village, is luring customers with a unique dining experience called Dark Dining.  Slip on a blindfold and begin touching, tasting, and obviously trusting, as each dish is presented before you. Savor delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen where chef Abigail Hitchcock prepares a luxurious four course meal with fine wines.

Without the visual, aroma and texture become your guide as you journey into darkness while tasty morsels find their way to your mouth. Your senses are heightened. Your adventure begins.  As stated on Camaj's website: Challenge your palate to tease out the mysteries of the menu as you truly taste your food for perhaps the first time. Then afterward, test yourself against the sealed menu card which reveals the event's menu.

I can't help but wonder how many tipped over wine glasses occur each night?

VALENTINE'S DAY, Saturday, February 14, CAMAJE

• Two Seatings at 7pm and 10pm
• $120 includes four courses, wines and artist performances, tax and gratuity included.

CAMAJE
85 MacDougal Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 673-8184
www.camaje.com

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We all have moments of being naughty and nice--let's celebrate both with seductive gift ideas to keep the balance of life going. Happy Holidays, Terry



Naughty: Erotic Lounge, Various Artists - $74
This volume of Erotic Lounge has two CDs, one cd labeled "Soft and Lazy" and the other "Quick and Dirty". The overall sound of the songs mainly focus on acid jazz, break beat, trip hop, and whatever is in between.

Nice: Hotel Costes, The Collector's Box -  $230
Absolutely stunning 10 CD Anniversary box set featuring the complete Hotel Costes series pressed on gold discs and stored in a beautiful red velvet-like cloth-covered mini cabinet with ten drawers that hold each disc separately.
 
Naughty: Sexy Slang - $22.45
The Sexy Slang board game is an adult party game that mixes charades & drawings with a naughty twist.

Nice: Foodie Fight, $19
Calling all food lovers! This addictive trivia game allows players to strut their culinary stuff and prove who is the smartest foodie of them all. With over 1,000 questions on topics ranging from culinary science and celebrity chefs to food history and exotic cuisine, each player is bound to get a full serving of food knowledge. But think fast, because the first player or team to fill in their game board wins!

Naughty: Kama Sutra Loving Oils Collection Set - $22.99
Delight your lover with a variety of irresistible sensations. Each of these water-based treats reveals a gentle scent and a warming glow. The set contains sampler sizes of: The Original, Chocolate Mint, Cherry Almond, Raspberry Kiss and Vanilla Crème. Invite a lover's lips to name them all.

Nice: Temecula Olive Oil Sampler - $23.99
A tremendous sampler pack of handcrafted olive oils. Olivum, a rich buttery blend of several varietals is the perfect enhancement to any recipe instead of vegetable oils or butter. Citrus Reserve will enhance your salads, poultry, seafood or baking with the essence of Blood oranges. Roasted Garlic Reserve is a must-have for that pasta or grilled meat lover.

Naughty: Jacques Torres, Wicket Hot Chocolate - $18
Feeling daring?Try the Wicked Hot Chocolate that features allspice, cinnamon, ground, sweet ancho chili peppers, and smoked, ground chipotle chili peppers!

Nice:Chocolat Modern, Hot Chocolates - $18
With a choice of aromas spanning the Mediterranean and Orient, you'll be whisked away in new directions of hot chocolate enjoyment.

Naughty: Will Cook for Sex - $16.50
Women were once taught that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach. In reality, fewer women cook, or really want to. Making reservations or ordering in has become one of the multiminded abilities of today's more progressive woman. Therein is the problem. Men must learn to navigate their way around the kitchens, galleys and cucinas of the world. In fact, to every man's advantage, the women can be very generous to men who know a spoon from a spatula. All men need is some beautiful inspiration and a few words of simple instruction from Rocky Fino. Step-by-step pictorials include menus and recipes for important occasions like The Date, The Stacked Deck, The Closer, the Morning After and The Weekend Pass.

Nice: Digital Recipe Reader - $299
Neiman Marcus touch-screen digital recipe file holds up to 2,500 recipes and arrives pre-loaded with hundreds of recipes, including some exclusive Neiman Marcus  recipes. You can upload your favorite recipes and photos to the online database and sync with the device to create your personal, portable digital recipe file.

Naughty: Kama Sutra Chocolate Body Paint Set - $34.21
For those who think chocolate is better than sex, here's a way to indulge in your two favorite passions at once. Open the lid of this beautiful box and behold three generous jars of delicious chocolate body paints. Brush this incredibly rich treat onto someone you love to love, then create a delicious masterpiece on any part of the body. Set contains: 2 oz Dark body paint 2 oz Milk body paint 2 oz White chocolate body paint Body paintbrush to create your masterpiece.

Nice: Chocolate Firecracker Bar Set - $18
Get fired up with Chuao's latest sensation--the Firecracker Candy Bar made with caramel fudge, chipotle, salt & popping candy!  Dark chocolate bar with chipotle, salt and popping candy. Comes in packages of three bars.

Naughty: Strip Chocolate Game - $29.99
Strip Chocolate is the ultimate game of sensual pleasure. You will laugh, you will strip and you will eat chocolate in new and different ways. Strip Chocolate comes complete with 2 Chocolate Body Frostings, 2 brushes, dice, and "Dare" cards?this game is hours of fun! Perfect for Valentine's Day, honeymoon or any other romantic occasion. Play by the rules and everybody wins! It's fun, sexy and of course tasty.

Nice: The Sweet Spot - $21.27
Finding a compilation of Asian-inspired desserts isn't always an easy task, as baking sections tend to be chockfull of Italian and French influenced titles. The good news is Ong (owner of NYC's P*ong) presents more than 100 accessible, top-notch recipes inspired from such countries as Japan (Honey Castella, or kasutera), China (Peanut Turnovers) and India (Pistachio Rose Thumbprint Cookies). Popular desserts from New York's famed Spice Market (where Ong has consulted)-- Chocolate and Vietnamese Coffee Tart and Jasmine Rice Pudding--lend themselves to frequent repetition.

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Serving caviar, oysters or lobster simply elevates a Seduction Meal to another level. However, you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy quality gourmet caviar. American caviar prices are more reasonable than those of importers, and this, coupled with some very unique flavors, makes for an excellent romantic meal for two--be it a simple appetizer or the main course. American Keta Salmon Malossol caviar cost about $20 for for a 4-oz tin. It's roe is large with a golden-orange color, firm texture and a clean burst of crisp salmon flavor.

While caviar does not require adornment, it can be served with a variety of garnishes such as toast points, unsalted crackers, or blinis (small flat pancakes), chopped hard-boiled eggs, crème fraîche, sour cream, minced onions, and tiny new white potatoes. For my Seduction Meal treat, I served caviar with toast points, crème fraîche, snipped chives and shots of Stolychinia Vodka. Enjoy; as this is truly an affordable, indulgent gastronomic experience.

And, there are many recipes that elevate to another level when adding caviar such as my grilled lobster served over crab ravioli with cream sauce--try topping this with a delicate black caviar. Or for a special breakfast in bed try salmon caviar rolls.

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Bored of enjoying your chocolate in a simple cookie, cake or confection? Let's get creative...make your own chocolate body paint (sweet or spicy to match your mood). Choose your canvas, lift your brush, and paint away.

For inspiration check out Hotel Chocolat, a British owned luxury chocolate manufacturer. The site offers a wide range of premium quality chocolates perfect for gifts or pure self indulgence. Here you will find gourmet cooking products, specialty chocolate gifts, and recipes. I couldn't resist sharing the recipe for chocolate body paint when I read...  "A luscious, chocolaty concoction that will bring out your inner Picasso - what you choose to paint is entirely up to you..."  

Chocolate Body Paint
Ingredients
3.5oz Classic Liquid Chocolat
2oz Unsalted butter
2tbsp Water

Microwave
Mix all of the ingredients together in a microwaveable bowl, heat on full power for 1 minute. Stir and blast for another 30 seconds or until fully melted.

Stove Top
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Gently heat the bowl over a pan of boiling water (double-boiler), stirring occasionally until the chocolate has fully melted.

Leave to cool. Collect your painting utensils and subject - then paint onto a suitable canvas. Add a bottle of champagne, so you can sip little delicate bubbles as you review your canvas and contemplate your next stroke. Picasso never had it so good. Well...OK, I take that back.

Have a canvas, but no time to cook?

You can buy a Chocolate Dipping Adventure.  With the crunch of toasted crostini, the succulence of cherries, the yielding softness of marshmallow... all laden with soft, melting chocolate. Simply heat the chocolate and throw yourself into a seriously satisfying chocolate adventure.

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