image via Testosterone

I think it's fair to say that most people celebrating Valentines day either go out to eat or make a romantic dinner for two at home.  Since I don't work outside the home my husband and my usual routine is that I cook dinner every night Mon-Fri, Sat is our date night and we go out to eat or at least do take out, and Sunday night my husband cooks dinner.  So we plan to go out for Valentines day since that's our date night anyway!


How My Family Plans Our Dinners For The Week
We plan our week this way so that I have the weekend off from cooking with the exception of the occasional lunch.  I decided to schedule myself off of cooking for weekends so that I would still enjoy cooking.  I love to cook but I know that if I never had any days off from cooking my joy and creative energy for cooking would be drained. 

This routine has worked out really well for us.  Especially having my husband having a day to cook.  Our deal for his day to cook is he can make anything he wants as long as it's not anything I hate.  And if he doesn't want to cook that's fine but he needs to take me out or pick up take out cause I'm not cooking. 

One day a week isn't much to plan for and it's allowed him to create a few dishes he knows are damn good.  For my husband it's a chicken meal, which is seasoned chicken thighs in a spicy lemon honey sauce and veggies cooked in the sauce, and lamb burgers.  One of these days will lazy but will get around to publishing his recipes.  He basically just alternates between these dishes for the most part.  Which is fine by me because they are delicious.  I think everyone should have a meal or two they feel good cooking, even if they're not big on cooking.

Easy Recipes Ideals For a Romantic Dinner
If your planning on cooking a romantic dinner for you and your date you should check out Debra Levy Picard's cookbook Tastosterone which is written to help guys (and gals) with limited cooking experience to learn how to cook.

Debra suggest starting the night off right with a creative, yet easy-to-prepare prosciutto-wrapped melon displayed nicely on a platter, followed with fondue and cured meats served on the side. For dessert, share a decadent chocolate cake, which you can purchase at the bakery or make yourself, topped with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream.  Below is a recipe from her cook book Tastosterone for dessert that is sure to impress at any dinner party or romantic dinner for two.  What's great about this Chocolate Bomb is you can make it ahead of time.  It also could be a nice surprise for your date even if you go out for dinner, since you could always have dessert after going out. Sure to impress your date or a dinner party!

Chocolate Bomb Recipe

From Tastosterone

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes 

INGREDIENTS

• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) pasture raised unsalted butter
• 1 cup cane sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (can sub coconut cream for dairy free version)
  
• 1 cup whipping cream (can sub coconut whipped cream for dairy free version)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1/4 cup organic all-purpose flour
• Unsweetened cocoa powder for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Melt the chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler (See Tips.) When melted set aside to cool.
3. Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment or by hand using a spoon in a large bowl, mix the sugar and eggs until color lightens, about 1 minute.
4. Pour the cooled chocolate/butter mixture beat into the mixer or bowl then stir in the heavy cream, vanilla and salt. Beat well, scraping the ingredients from the sides of the bowl as you mix.
5. Add the flour and mix until blended.
6. Divide the mixture between four 6-ounce ovenproof cappuccino cups or any style cup or small bowl. Fill to 1/4 inch below the rim of the cup.
7. Place cups on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or just until the tops of the cake begin to crack. Do not over bake. The tops should be crisp and the interior soft.
8. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes. While cooling, make the whipped cream. Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks, about 5 minutes. Don’t over whip or it will turn into butter. You could also use whipped cream from a can to save time.
9. Place a dollop of the flavored whipped cream onto each warm cup and garnish with a dusting of cocoa powder.
10. Serve warm and enjoy.

TIPS

How to Make A Double Boiler
A double boiler consists of a bowl placed on top of a pan of simmering water. The bowl does not touch the water, but creates a seal with the bottom pan to trap the steam produced by the simmering water. The trapped steam keeps the top bowl warm. Inside the top bowl, you can melt chocolate without worrying that it will stick and burn.

You can buy a double boiler, but it’s easy to make one at home. All you need is a mixing bowl (preferably glass/Pyrex or metal) and a saucepan. The  pan and bowl should fit tightly together; you don’t want a gap between the bowl and the saucepan, nor do you want a bowl that sits precariously. To use the double boiler, add water to the pan and bring it to a simmer, then place the bowl on top and fill it with whatever you intend to cook or melt.

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