Valentine Day Dinner Menu

Posted on Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at 11:19 am

Valentine's Day is a special and magical time of the year, where lovers can exchange beautiful Valentines Day Gifts, and individuals can dip their toes into the paddling pool of love for the very first time. However, while those in the first stages of love can feel free to reuse past ideas on someone new, for those within an established relationship it's advisable to show a certain amount of originality; after all, when it comes to Valentines Day Gifts and romantic gestures, nobody wants to come across as lacking inspiration; the future of a relationship could well depend upon it.

Before thinking about the Valentine's Day plans for this year, it's probably worth considering your approach during previous years. If you're the type of person who likes to start giving Valentines Day Gifts with flowers, what type do you give and where do you buy them? If you're the type of man or woman who usually buys flowers at the last minute from the local petrol station, perhaps that's something should definitely change. But what if you usually splash out and really make an effort at your local florist? The first thing to consider is whether or not you always use the same company; no matter how good they are, there is a change that as your business relationship develops, they'll know what you like and will always seek to satisfy. Unfortunately, their desire to satisfy your needs could lead to some unnecessary duplication.

This being the case, it might be wise for you to reconsider your usual venue for buying flowers - no matter how much their bouquets make beautiful Valentines Day Gifts. Or, at the very least, be very mindful of the need to go for something a little different. If you usually go for roses, why not try orchids - or even other types of flowers? Colours should be varied too - even if you just have to have a bouquet of roses, you can make your Valentines Day Gifts seem so much more original with a little variation of colour.

On your list of things to consider should also include your choice of venue. Even if your Valentines Day Gifts are the epitome of originality, if your Valentine's Day celebration is becoming a little bit tired, you need to get your thinking cap on and do something a little bit different. For example, if your celebrations begin or end with a romantic dinner for two, it might be wise to, either choose a different way to celebrate, or pick a different venue; while you might consider the menu at a particular place to be one of the greatest Valentines Day Gifts you could possibly give, repetition and routine is one of the surest ways to make a relationship fall into a rut.

The same level of care should be taken with the actual Valentines Day Gifts themselves. Even if you've got the flowers and the venue for celebrations sorted, individual Valentines Day Gifts should also be a priority. For example, if your choices of Valentines Day Gifts are usually quite traditional, it might be quite exciting to think of Valentines Day Gifts of a more exciting and unusual variety.

So, if you're looking to make a big and bold statement - perhaps you're thinking of taking the plunge and making a marriage proposal? - Why not say it with a beautiful My Last Rolo, created in Hallmarked Silver? What could be more appropriate on Valentine's Day than giving a last Rolo, created from Hallmarked Silver, to the love of your life on February 14th? Not only does this beautiful and memorable gift come in an attractive gift box - adorned with a beautiful red ribbon - it is also available as a version created from Hallmarked Gold.

However, no matter what you do this Valentine's Day, and whichever Valentines Day Gifts you eventually decide upon, the most important thing to remember is to make sure everything you do is done with sincerity, and with love. Good luck!

Rack of Lamb.....HELP!!?

I am planning a valentines day menu for my husband.
As of now I am planning to make parmesan puffs and strawberry spinach salad for starters, Rack of Lamb with a cherry glaze for our entree and then sauteed asparagus and mushroom ristotto for sides. Then for dessert we are doing a chocolate fondue with strawberries, pound cake etc... My only problem is....i have never prepared rack of lamb..and dont know anyone who has to help me... I am looking for all advice to make this a fool proof prep/dinner. Thank you! Serious Answers only!

Roasted Rack of Lamb

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

1 (7 bone) rack of lamb, trimmed and frenched
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Move oven rack to the center position.
In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, garlic, rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss in 2 tablespoons olive oil to moisten mixture. Set aside.
Season the rack all over with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy oven proof skillet over high heat. Sear rack of lamb for 1 to 2 minutes on all sides. Set aside for a few minutes. Brush rack of lamb with the mustard. Roll in the bread crumb mixture until evenly coated. Cover the ends of the bones with foil to prevent charring.
Arrange the rack bone side down in the skillet. Roast the lamb in preheated oven for 12 to 18 minutes, depending on the degree of doneness you want. With a meat thermometer, take a reading in the center of the meat after 10 to 12 minutes and remove the meat, or let it cook longer, to your taste. Let it rest for 5 to 7 minutes, loosely covered, before carving between the ribs.
Note

Allow internal temperature to be 5 to 10 degrees less than you like because the meat will continue to cook while it sits. Bloody rare: 115 to 125 degrees F Rare: 125 to 130 degrees F Medium rare: 130 to 140 degrees F Medium: 140 to 150 degrees F

Wine Tip

Try with a California red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Zinfandel.

Valentine's Day is a Drag