Valentine's Day...Any big plans for special meals?

[chiffonade]

Oysters on half shell, possibly a steak for dinner with garlic mashers and something decadent for dessert. Been enjoying a Petit Sirah from Mexico (believe it or not..incredible stuff). Celebration eating should be confined to celebrations!

Discuss.

[roon]

Honey mustard chicken over rice...fresh, cold sugar snap peas...I don't know what else to make for the dinner (oysters are not an option!) but dessert will be cheesecake- homemade by yours truly, New York style. Mmmmm.

[starlite]

Waiting for the next day so I can get some good - GOOD - chocolates 1/2 price!

[marmalady]

Don't know about dinner yet, but am going to try the panna cotta with agar-agar from another thread. With raspberry sauce!

[starlite]

Oh...you got me in the mood for a good cheesecake and reminded me I have some cream cheese too! Tx!!

By the way, what is that aga aga - is that how that was? I never heard of that and I like to learn about all these different things.

[marmalady]

Agar-agar is made from seaweed, and used as a stabilizer/thickener to gelatinize, in the same way gelatin is. Because regular gelatin is made from animal parts (we won't go into this!), agar-agar allows vegetarians to enjoy the same foods without the meat product. Usually found in health food stores, or in Japanese markets (called 'Kanten').

[starlite]

Agar-agar is made from seaweed, and used as a stabilizer/thickener to gelatinize, in the same way gelatin is. Because regular gelatin is made from animal parts (we won't go into this!), agar-agar allows vegetarians to enjoy the same foods without the meat product. Usually found in health food stores, or in Japanese markets (called 'Kanten').

Okay, thank you! That is really interesting. I do know quite a bit about Vegans and Vegetarians but I see now not nearly enough!

As for gelatin - I read it has horse-something in it - is that true? That sounded so horrible, I haven't been able to eat it since I read that!

[marmalady]

Yes. It's also the stuff you take to make your fingernails stronger.

[CalicoSkies]

Fondue, fondue, fondue! Very fun and romantic.

[coolJ]

it's probably going to be Arby's or Mickey Dee's or maybe subway, in the car while I'm working, because in my spare time when i'm not at the restaurant, my family delivers for a florist. and of course one of the groups that we belong to is having the monthly meeting the same day, so I won't be able to get out and have a good meal, or even have the time to make one.

[Suzanne]

Chiffonade: if you mean that syrah from Baja -- Yeah, isn't it amazingly good??? We've only had it in a restaurant; wish I could find it retail. Brad, you have to try this one!!!

[chiffonade]

Originally posted by Suzanne
Chiffonade: if you mean that syrah from Baja -- Yeah, isn't it amazingly good??? We've only had it in a restaurant; wish I could find it retail. Brad, you have to try this one!!!

Yep. Just looked at the label. L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah, 1998 from Valle de Guadalupe, Baja, California. I really enjoy this a bit chillier than most people enjoy reds. It has great flavor.

[chiffonade]

When I walked in the door, champagne was popped and gorgeous oysters were served with lemon and cocktail sauce. While we were enjoying them, I found a pearl, asymetrical and imperfect - so it was natural!

Beautiful white roses with pink edges were placed in a mason jar (which I thought was adorable). Two wrapped gifts and a card were right next to the roses. One was a coffee cup, hand painted with veggies he knows I like. Eggplants, mushrooms and other goodies. He got online and ordered 4 ramekins for me from LeCreuset - in the color of my cookware set (flame). The dinner consisted of crabmeat ravioli served with a warm vinaigrette with concasse of tomato. He breaded some eggplant circles (he knows I love them) and pan friend them. For dessert, he served an apple tart from Paul Bocuse in your Kitchen. I got him a copy of this 1982 book because in his travels, he lost his and really loved it. I also ordered chocolate covered bing cherries for him.

I'm sure people out there got more expensive gifts but the most valuable quality of the gifts I got was: He was paying attention. He knew I recently broke a coffee cup and missed it, so he got me another. He knew I needed ramekins (I've been taking advantage of the controlling quality of individual portions). I love champagne and ravioli...not to mention oysters . I couldn't have asked for more.

[Suzanne]

Chiffonade -- oh, how sweet! How lucky you are. All my guy can make is oatmeal (the best, though!) and salad. But whether or not our SOs can cook, they have their good points, and we love them! I sure love mine!!