Let me tell you a story about faith. I have had a disproportionate number of crummy Valentine’s Days. By no means am I conjuring the image of Bridget Jones emptying a pint of ice cream while belting out Celine Dion. My crummy Valentine’s are more “stories that’ll be funny later”.
To wit, one year on February the 14th I woke up with a mild case of food poisoning. I was scheduled to go to work and to a dinner party full of couples save for myself and my blind date. Yes, a set up on Valentine’s Day. I managed a half day in the office before retreating under the covers. Then I kept down water and a banana. I took a shower, put on makeup, put on heels, and rallied enough to go to dinner. (I’m still waiting for my medal.)
I spotted The Guy as soon as I walked in. He was handsome enough that I was glad I’d pulled myself together. Shoulders back, the day was in the past. We were introduced, I blushed on command, and then he gave me his regrets that he had to leave. We didn’t have a drink. We’d barely said five words to each other. He simply had to rush to the aid of his best friend and he was very sorry. And he walked out, right then and there. Leaving me, nauseous and rejected, to not stomach even a bite of dinner at a table covered in hot pink heart confetti. The married couples tried to comfort me with speeches of the fish in the sea and all of that.
Strangely, that is but one Valentine’s Day tale in my arsenal. But—here’s where the faith comes in—I still believe in the possibility of Valentine’s Day. There need not be forced Hallmark moments nor hot pink confetti. I hear all of those who say they “just don’t do Valentine’s”. My vision is simply to heed the reminder to amp up the romance for a day. To stop and appreciate what and whom you’ve got with, say, a batch of chocolate chunk cookies or vanilla almond biscotti or a surprise dirty martini and a perfectly seared steak.
Light candles, wrap them in their favorite couch blanket, and then reveal you’ve made a chocolate lava cake to share. Or a molten caramel cake for one, having wrapped yourself in your favorite couch blanket. A couple of champagne cocktails sound romantic on February 14th, 15th, and 16th. And you know what else sounds romantic? Homemade pigs in a blanket. Pair those with your champagne cocktails and take a stroll down memory lane together. For dessert? Homemade fools with fresh fruit and rosewater.
Valentine’s need not even be a whole day! Maybe it’s a lazy morning of baked oatmeal (or spicy breakfast sandwiches), strong coffee, and extra kisses. Maybe it’s planning to spend the evening together in the kitchen on garlicky clams with farro or French onion soup and chocolate mousse. Aperol spritzes in your glasses and Cooking Music 3 in the background so you can “ohhh l’amoouur” along with Erasure.
It is, of course, kids who have the best time on Valentine’s Day. Cute elementary school cards and candy hearts and the annual hug from your parents (just kidding). For a family-style Valentine’s, I love a grazing dinner: smoked salmon on toast, egg and veggie flatbreads, little chicken and ricotta meatballs, ricotta spoonable, a cheese board.
Or you can all be on your best behavior and work together in the kitchen for a family pizza night that will either become a new tradition or a story of that one time you tried to get the kids to cook with you.
Personally, I’ve never wanted the day to be a Big Deal™. It can get cringe-y and forced very quickly. But I do see it as a chance to think, “would I rather work an extra hour or close up shop to hang out with that person in my house” or “we’ve talked about making a soufflé, why not tonight?” (Serve that with a salade frisee aux lardons and some good champagne. I’m feeling warm and fuzzy already.)
All this said, I’m still not ruling out the heart-shaped vibrating beds I’ve seen in commercials for resorts in the Poconos. Ironically, of course.
A ‘treat yourself’ (or that person) cooking party:
Playlist Tina Turner, Boyz II Men, and Prince want you to listen to Cooking Music 3
Pre-dinner drink An Aperol spritz or a Negroni, classic and beloved
Menu Really go for it with this sea urchin farinata, then choose between homemade pasta with garlicky tomato sauce or tomato poached fish
Dessert Chocolate mousse with bourbon whipped cream. Feeding each other not required.
Wine A Negroamaro, Sangiovese, or Montepulciano
Bonus If gifts are your style, spring for Brightland Olive Oil’s essential capsule, which includes their lovely new vinegars or a variety pack of Truff truffle-infused hot sauces. Or get them a Nap Dress, which I currently live in.
My favorite Valentine’s Day in recent memory was one spent with girlfriends, cooking and drinking and laughing in my kitchen. (Don’t you dare call it Galentine’s.) Here’s to more cooking, drinking, and laughing with those we love!
xoxo,
🥇 That's for making it to the dinner! 🏆 That's for not throwing up on that dude when you "Should Have" great story and recipes now that you got my mouth watering 😋 Chocolate lava cake please!!!