So Valentine’s Day is a few days away and I probably wouldn’t be wrong in saying some of you may be just beginning your brainstorming process. Now you may have expected a list of restaurants with good Valentine’s Day menus or a full recipe to make special dinner but I’ve come up with some simple ideas to help you out.
A nice box of chocolates is always a given but why not try a simple fondue recipe to create a fun and delicious experience. Not to mention combining with fruit adds some healthy value to your treat. Of course you can try strawberries and bananas but don’t forget grapes, apples, cherries and pineapple
Brandied Chocolate Fondue
1/2 pint whipping cream (do not whip)
4 (4 ounce) Hershey bars
1/4 cup brandy
Chopped pecans
Melt whipping cream and Hershey bars in a fondue pot until liquid; add brandy and stir until well mixed.
Put fruit in bowls around the fondue pot. Dip fruit into fondue, then into bowl of crushed pecans.
Easy chocolate Fondue Recipe
| 227 g | (8 oz.) | Semi-Sweet Chocolate |
| 80 ml | (1/3 cup) | Evaporated Milk |
1. In a sauce pan over low heat, mix the evaporated milk with the semi-sweet chocolate.
2. Let the chocolate melt slowly while stirring constantly.
3. Pour the melted mixture into the fondue pot and light the tea light.
4. Dip fruit pieces into the mixture.
5. Repeat and enjoy!
Of course what better to wash down chocolate with than a glass of wine? Rule #1, typically the wine should be at least as sweet, if not a touch sweeter, than the chocolate you are serving it with. Otherwise, the taste may quickly veer towards bitter or sour. Here is a shortcut list of Wines and their Chocolate companion
Red Wines often pair well with dark chocolates, like the following combinations:
Cabernet Franc: Creamy milk chocolate
Cabernet Sauvignon: dark chocolate
Merlot: Dark chocolate, milk chocolate
Pinot Noir: Dark chocolate, milk chocolate
Sangiovese: Dark chocolate
Zinfandel: Dark Chocolate
White Wines are tough to pair with chocolates because of their dryness, but can taste great with milk chocolates.
Chardonnay: French vanilla chocolate
Riesling: Milk chocolate
So enjoy your Valentine’s Day and remember it’s about Love not Lovers!
