Valentine's Day Menu

Instead of the same old flowers and chocolate routine this year why not show your affection for your loved one by cooking up a little romance with an intimate dinner for two at home? They say that the way to a man's heart is though his stomach but women are as equally impressed by a man who can cook! So, ladies (and gentlemen!) try our suggestions for a gourmet three-course dinner along with wine pairings. The appetizer and entree for this dinner are courtesy of Chef Marcel Biro.

Appetizer: Chilled Black Cherry Soup with Asbach Uralt & Crème Fraîche

If you’re looking for a soup that perfectly captures the spirit of Valentine’s Day, this is it. Cherries have long been reputed to be an aphrodisiac, and the seductive flavor and texture and vibrant color of this soup make it the ideal prelude to any romantic meal.

Entrée Grilled Medallions of Pork in Black Cherry-Pepper Sauce with Spätzle & Braised Fennel

The sweet tartness of the black cherries perfectly offsets the flavor of the pork, and the black pepper adds just the right amount of bite. The deep colors of the pork and Black Cherry-Pepper sauce look lovely with spätzle, and Braised Fennel is a delicately flavored accompaniment.

Dessert: Almond-Cherry Souffles with Warm German Chocolate Sauce

By themselves, these rich, flavorful soufflés are virtually fat-free. The German chocolate sauce is rich but not too sweet, as most German-produced chocolate contains a higher content of cocoa and less sugar than most American chocolate.