{"id":5715,"date":"2012-02-11T22:09:32","date_gmt":"2012-02-12T06:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chefmorgan.com\/?p=5715"},"modified":"2013-08-18T10:15:54","modified_gmt":"2013-08-18T17:15:54","slug":"hungry-in-love-valentines-day-menu-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chefmorgan.com\/engine\/hungry-in-love-valentines-day-menu-2012","title":{"rendered":"hungry in love…Valentine’s Day Menu 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Chocolate<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

hungry in love: a Valentine\u2019s Day menu to make your heart skip a beat<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0I often say that I know I am in love if the thought or sight of that person inspires moments of complete abandon of time and self. I use the example that if I were greeted at the airport by that person, even if the separation was brief, I would instinctively, and without hesitation, run to him, forgetting my surroundings, and the moment would only be interrupted by TSA asking me if the bags scattered twenty feet behind me, are mine. I tell my children that if you do not instinctively feel that way about the person with whom you have chosen to spend your time, then you did not choose correctly because anything less is existing; not living. I have done both. There is something to be said for following your instincts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Harriet Van Horne<\/span> wisely said that \u201ccooking is like love [and that] [i]t should be entered into with abandon or not at all<\/em>.<\/span>\u201d I agree and Saint Valentine\u2019s Day is the perfect day to reinforce that notion. Inspired by thoughts of culinary seduction, the desire to spoil those we care for in a thoughtful, sincere way yet keeping in mind the practical demands of a mid-week busy schedule, this week\u2019s simple pleasure<\/em><\/span> is a Valentine\u2019s Day menu that has a little something for everyone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Chocolate<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

hungry for love<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201c[O]ur three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the other. [W]hen I write of hunger, I am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it\u2026 and then the warmth and richness and fine reality of hunger satisfied\u2026 and it is all one.<\/em>”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Paris<\/a><\/p>\n

M.F.K. Fisher<\/span>, The Art of Eating<\/span><\/em>. It is so true.\u00a0<\/span>Popular culture is replete with visual images of examples of food and hunger intertwined with love and seduction. Remember the quail and rose dinner scene in Like Water For Chocolate<\/a><\/em><\/span>?\u00a0 The oyster eating scene in The Diving Bell and The Butterfly<\/a><\/em><\/span>? How about a blindfolded Kim Basinger sampling the contents of the refrigerator in 9\u00bd Weeks<\/a><\/span>? <\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If falling in love could be mimicked in a meal what would it taste like and how would it feel? What would it be? While the answer is unique to each individual, as a generalization it may be described as a deluge of luxurious textures. Flavors that are multi-layered but not overly fussy. It would make you comfortable but keep you interested. It would satisfy you, without weighing you down, and leave you wanting more. It would melt your heart and make it skip a beat at the same time. The smell would intoxicate you and remind you in later years of that culinary moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a tall order for food, but this week we have a menu with a little something for everyone . . . because we are hungry in love.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Valentine\u2019s Day Menu 2012<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

champagne ap\u00e9ritif with rose syrup and lychee pur\u00e9e<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

beet Napoleon with beets three ways<\/em><\/strong><\/span>
\n(beet pur\u00e9e, roasted beet melange, and a beet cru)<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

praline and bacon roulade tenderloin <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

mustard frill, watercress and pea tendril green salad<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

carr\u00e9s de chocolat (\u201cbox of chocolate\u201d) tart<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Do not be put off by the descriptions as I can assure you they are not indicative of labor-intensive drama. Quite the contrary. However, if you chose to make all of these dishes, moderation is the key as this menu is a little richer and a little sweeter than my usual fare. Here are a few production notes to make your meal go off without complication. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Glass<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

ap\u00e9ritif<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

An ap\u00e9ritif is a pre-dinner drink only. I like this combination because lychees are fragrant and smell like a tropical vacation, making you a little dreamy. Pur\u00e9ed lychees are silky smooth and when combined with rose syrup, it seems like a Valentine Day\u2019s bouquet in a glass. Do not exceed the stated quantities for the rose syrup as a little rose syrup goes a long way in cooking. Rose syrup can be purchased on the internet (click here<\/a>), wine shops or speciality stores.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Delicious<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

beet Napoleon<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A Napoleon is a famous French pastry with alternating layers of pastry cream and puff pastry. This is a savory take on that dessert. Beets, naturally sweet with a lush texture and crimson color, are perfect for a Valentine\u2019s Day meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can buy pre-roasted beets or roast them yourself. I suggestion doing all of the prep work (the roasting and the slicing or dicing) the day before and storing the prepared beets in containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the Napoleons while the tenderloin is roasting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Roasted<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

roasted tenderloin<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A 1\u00bd-2 pound tenderloin easily serves 4 people; however, the recipe for the praline-bacon stuffing will make enough for a 3 pound cut of meat if you want to make more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Pork<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The praline-bacon stuffing can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Duck bacon can be purchased online <\/a>\u00a0and in speciality stores, however, if you cannot use it, do not worry, you can use pork bacon (applewood bacon is best and you can find it pre-cooked at Trader Joe\u2019s). Pork bacon is not as lean as duck bacon; however, trim it well (meaning, get rid of most of the fat or combined with the praline, it may be greasy).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sugar<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

If you do not want the sweetness of the praline (or the extra step of cooking the sugar), again, do not stress it. Instead, toast the pecans, eliminate the praline part, and proceed with the recipe. Ask your butcher for a center-cut of tenderloin. This is a very tender (and expensive) cut of meat which is naturally flavorful and benefits from a simple a roasting preparation (which is also easy on your schedule).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"praline-bacon<\/a><\/p>\n

If you do not want to make a heart roulade, you can use the praline-bacon stuffing as a crust. After you brown the meat on the stove, press the mixture on top of the meat and then place it in the oven. Either way, stuffing or topping, it is delicious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"earthly<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

greens<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This earthy green salad is necessary to balance the sweet, rich cut of meat. The salad uses a variety of greens you will find in your market right now, including red and green mustard frill which are a little peppery. If you cannot find the mustard frill, substitute dandelion greens, a little more watercress, or some wild arugula.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Box<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

carr\u00e9s de chocolat (\u201cbox of chocolate\u201d) tart<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This tart is a playful spin on the customary Valentine box of chocolates. We use bittersweet chocolate for this square-shaped tart. It is cut into small squares (or rectangles) which you can individually decorate to resemble chocolates. The bite size portions are also the perfect size because bittersweet chocolate is not only rich, but has some caffeine (which may make your heart pound as fast as your date does).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

All of the dishes on this menu can be prepared in advance. You need only to roast the meat the night of your dinner. While the meat is roasting and resting, you can assemble the Napoleons and toss the salad. The chocolate tart can be made earlier in the day or the day before and the recipe is below. The recipes for the ap\u00e9ritif, the tenderloin, the beet Napoleon, and the salad are posted separately for your printing ease.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is from the fond de mon c\u0153ur <\/em><\/span>(the bottom of my heart) that I wish you all a very Happy Saint Valentine\u2019s Day filled with complete abandon in love and cooking and of course,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

j<\/em>e vous souhaite un bon app\u00e9tit<\/em> !<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

LM<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Chocolate<\/a><\/p>\n

carr\u00e9s de chocolat (\u201cbox of chocolate\u201d) tart<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

makes one tart\u00a0<\/span>8 inch tart<\/span><\/p>\n

what you need:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

crust<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6 ounces unbleached King Arthur all-purpose flour<\/a><\/span>
\n\u00bd teaspoon kosher salt<\/span>
\n1 \u00bd teaspoon granulated sugar\u00a0<\/span>
\n3\u00bd ounces unsalted butter, cold and cubed<\/span>
\n1 ounce egg , mixed<\/span>
\n1 tablespoon ice cold water (as needed)<\/span><\/p>\n

filling<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4 ounces heavy whipping cream<\/span>
\n1 ounce unsalted butter<\/span>
\n11 ounces bittersweet Valrhona chocolate<\/a>, finely chopped<\/span>
\n1 teaspoon grated f\u00e8ves Tonka (optional)<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Chocolate Tart pieces<\/p><\/div>\n

how to:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

crust<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n