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Eggs are one of those sustenance foods that are riddled with meaning and used frequently for analogies. For example, trust is often compared to a delicate egg. Once broken, it cannot be easily repaired. Eggs can also symbolize Continue reading ‘Valentine’s Day Pickled Eggs and Beets’
It seems that we are only just past the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day is looming. No matter your feelings on this trademarked holiday, we all L-O-V-E to eat – and drink. And if you are at all like I am, this is one of the nights that is best enjoyed with some home made dishes. The Valentine’s ‘holiday’ (and I use the term loosely, because I feel that we shouldn’t only celebrate love one day a year, but every day of the year), is my ‘hall pass’ to splurge on the food front and enjoy an eclectic mix of dishes that I love. This is the night that the gloves come off, and the palate goes crazy.
Whether you’re in love, looking for love, avoiding love, or trying to get some love, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to make magic happen! And there’s no better way to do it than with suggestive food and beverages that make you throw your inhibitions to the wind.
Seriously! Studies show that alcohol levels can raise the testosterone levels in women, which coincidentally entices those who lack sexual interest and desire. Interest piqued? Then go ahead… light the candles, pop in a little Marvin Gaye and ensure where your night is headed with these de-lush-ious aphrodisiac food and wine pairings from my friend and founder of WinoBee, Stacy De Fino, peppered with some of my favorite V-day indulgent dishes: Lamb Chops, Shrimp & Garden Veggie Cannelloni, and Cocoa Fudge Cup Cakes topped with Classic Carmel Frosting.
And if you thought you could just kick back and read, I’ve mixed it up a bit, and turned this into a classic version of “I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours”. Read on for food/wine recommendations to summon Aphrodite and then….well, I challenge you to share your favorite Valentine’s Day Menu at www.foodily.com.
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Wine is the perfect mood setter, and for the “romanticals” out there looking to get the night started with some sustenance, whip up a nice steak and pair alongside a higher tannic wine like Zaca Mesa Syrah ($20, BevMo.com). This red offers unique character and blends dark plum notes with deep espresso undertones. Its sure to land you more than one silky finish for the night!
BOWLLICKER FAVORITE FOOD DISH: Lamb Chops Von
WINE ME, DINE ME
Esporao Private Riserva White ($29.99, WineLibrary.com) offers honeysuckle attributes that pair well with any kind of shellfish, especially the richer ones like oysters, and we all know oysters are the most notorious aphrodisiac food. The zinc found in oysters controls progesterone levels which are said to have a positive effect on the libido. Bow-chicka-bow-wow!
BOWLLICKER FAVORITE FOOD DISH: Shrimp and Garden Vegetable Cannelloni, Marinated cracked crab or Oysters Bingo
KEEP IT SWEET
Wine and chocolate are a match all their own, but they may help you make your own love match. A compound in chocolate, called methylxanine, triggers the release of dopamine in the body often leaving you with a lovestruck feeling. Try a chocolate cake and serve alongside a sparkling rosé, like Martini & Rossi ($13, Shopper’s Wines) which combines an aromatic bouquet and palate of light florals and apricot.
BOWLLICKER FAVORITE FOOD DISH: Cocoa Fudge Cup Cakes topped with Classic Carmel Frosting
DON’T THINK, JUST DRINK
Port Wine is said to be an aphrodisiac all its own, so in the case you have no time (or motivation) to whip up something romantic, simply grab a bottle of white port and some fresh strawberries, as studies say pairing the two may promote lovemaking.
BOWLLICKER FAVORITE FOOD DISH: You are on your own….maybe a biscotti to dip in some port!
>this is the part where you show me your creativity<
SHARE YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY MENUS FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED ON THE FOODILY SITE!
1. Go to Foodily.com and login with Facebook Connect (or create a login).
2. Play around with recipes and find your favorites to create a perfectly delish Valentine’s Day meal!
3. Once you’ve selected a recipe save it to a menu:
* From the recipe, select the “save” button, save it as an appetizer, main, etc., and then it’ll ask you to name your menu. Create your special Valentine’s menu title.
* Continue adding recipes and saving to that menu
4. View your menu (either from tab at top or from your profile) and grab the URL (you can also share your menu on Facebook and grab the URL there). Note: the URL will look similar to this: http://foodily.com/m/1234
5.Tweet the following and be sure to include the #foodilyvdaymenu hashtag at the end:
Check out my @foodily Valentine’s Day menu! Create one of your own! http//(your menu URL here) #foodilyvdaymenu
6. Foodily will be watching and selecting menu winners daily to be featured on the Foodily site!
Note: You can also enter by sharing your menu on Foodily’s Facebook wall.
As a compensated Foodily Brand Ambassador, I also look forward to picking my favorite Foodily Valentine’s Day menu at www.foodily.com. See you there!
So much to love in the next few weeks. Do you love the Super Bowl? Do you love the romance Valentine’s Day? Do you love the one your with? Whatever it is that you love, there are some fun days to prepare for and food is key! Yes- you need to make sure that you have your food ready to go. A fun way to ring in either of those days is to go red, get fired up or go home!
I pulled together a few recipes from the blog to get your Bowl-en-tine juices flowing:
Hot Mess Spiced Nuts (great name, easy to make, just do it!)
Savory Drumettes (a crispy juicy treat –SEE RECIPE BELOW)
Fondue Pasta (Cuz Cheese is a Crowd Pleaser)
Red Velvet Cup Cakes (for the romantics)
or if you need to connect w/your inner chocoholic and need a serious dose of caffeine to offer your guests…..skip the mini cake and opt for these amazing brownies with a twist.
The Ultimate Cappuccino Brownie (chocolate = Good)
Lemon-aid Blur (get the party started, featured drink for party of 2 or 20)
The key here is that all of these things can be done ahead of time. For a Super Bowl you can serve the mac ‘n cheese in small ramekins for easy individual servings; for the V-day meal serve the mac ‘n cheese along side a nice salad.
Whichever event you do – make it memorable. Incorporate cool serving ideas and make 90% of it ahead of time so that you can kick-back and enjoy the meal ….and the beverage!
The best part about this recipe is that there are only three ingredients besides the chicken: seasoned salt, sumac and pepper. To find other delicious dishes from Sue go to www.justforlicks.com Photo: www.justforlicks.com
Savory Sumac Drumettes
Ingredients
2 pounds chicken drumettes
2 ¼ tablespoons sumac (available at any Mediterranean market)
1 ¼ tablespoons seasoned salt
½ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
Flat leaf parsley for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven on broil at 500 degrees.
Rinse chicken drumettes in a colander. Set aside. Line a 12 x 18 baking sheet with aluminum foil, covering the sides. This makes for easy clean up and protects your baking sheet from scraping any stuck-on chicken.
Line up the drumettes on the baking sheet making sure they do not touch.
Using half of your ingredients, sprinkle drumettes evenly first with seasoned salt, then sumac, then pepper. For even coating, it may be easier to use your fingers. With tongs, flip them over and repeat on the other side.
Broil on the second level from the top for fifteen minutes – depending on the heat of your oven. They should look dark brown and crispy. Take out of the oven. If there are any fatty drippings on the baking sheet, drain them off in the sink. Turn the chicken over and broil for ten more minutes until dark golden brown and crispy.
These drumettes do not have the texture of buffalo wings, which are slightly gooey. These are crispy and juicy. They are so flavorful that there is no need for any dipping sauce.
>Personal Gina commentary – These drumettes are great as an appetizer or to accompany another dish, like mac ‘n cheese. Just be sure to have your napkins ready because your digits will be messy. WARNING: once you have ONE drumette, you’ll have FIVE more. Just. That. GOOD! <
