Romance Is In The Air – Part 2

“Love is the master key that opens the gate of happiness.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

I hope you enjoyed Part I of “Romance Is In The Air,” (if you missed it ~ visit here).   While we can’t all enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day evening and dinner in Ravello, Italy, we can create romance and cook up a little magic in our own homes.  My husband and I gave up fighting crowded restaurants on Valentine’s Day many years ago.  Because, to us, there is nothing romantic about being in such a situation. So, today I am sharing a wonderful and easy menu, complete with recipes.  A lovely dinner at home, truly what memories are made of.

“I think careful cooking is love, don’t you?  The loveliest thing you can cook for someone who’s close to you is about as nice a Valentine as you can give.” ~ Julia Child

Le Menu 

Filet of Beef au Poivre

Garden Salad – with Champagne Vinaigrette   

Crusty Bread

Choice of  Red Wine

Dessert ~ Chocolate Orange Mousse, with Whipped Cream

 

 

 

Recipes:

Filet of Beef au Poivre

Note:  This recipe serves 6.  However, I make the same amount of sauce for 2, and there is just a little left over. If you have sauce lovers, and are serving 6, I would double the sauce.

6 filets mignon, cut 1 1/4 inches thick

Kosher salt

Coarsley ground black pepper

3 1/2 Tbls. unsalted butter, divided

1 1/2 Tbls. olive oil

3/4 cup chopped shallots (3-4 shallots)

1 cup canned beef broth

1/2 cup good Cognac or brandy

Place the filets on a board and pat them dry with paper towels.   Sprinkle the filets with salt and then press the black pepper evenly on both sides.  Allow them to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.   Heat olive oil and 1 1/2 Tbls. butter in a large saute pan over medium- high heat until the butter almost smokes.  Place the steaks in the pan and lower the heat to medium.  Saute the steaks for 4 minutes on one side and then for 3 minutes on the other side, for medium rare.  Remove the steaks to a serving platter and cover tightly with aluminum foil.  Meanwhile, pour all but 1 Tbls. of fat from the saute pan.  Add the shallots and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes.  Add the beef broth and cook over high heat for 4-6 minutes, until reduced by half, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.  Add the Cognac (I use brandy) and cook for 2 more minutes.  Off the heat, swirl in the remaining 2 Tbls. of butter and a 1/2 tsp. salt.  Serve the steaks hot with the sauce poured on top.  

Champagne Vinaigrette 

1/4 cup champagne vinegar ~ do not substitute

3/4 cup olive oil

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 heaping Tbls. honey

salt/pepper to taste

Whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and honey.  Slowly whisk in olive oil until vinaigrette is emulsified.  Or as Julia says, “Beat it into submission.”

Wine Note:  Understand, I am certainly not a wine expert.  But, my recommendations are based on selections we have come to know and enjoy.  Therefore, I would recommend a good Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir.  Josh Cellars is a lovely California wine.

 

 

Chocolate is no ordinary food.  It is not something you can take or leave, something you like only moderately.  You don’t like chocolate.  You don’t even love chocolate.  Chocolate is something you have an affair with.” ~ Geneen Roth

Chocolate Orange Mousse

Note:  This can be made a day in advanceBe sure to place plastic wrap directly to the top of the mousse.  This will prevent hardening of the surface.

6 ounces good semisweet chocolate, chopped

2 ounces good bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1/4 cup orange liqueur – (recommended:  Grand Marnier)

1/4 cup water

1 tsp. good vanilla

1 tsp. orange zest

12 Tbls. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

8 extra-large eggs, at room temperature, separated

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbls. sugar

pinch of salt

1/2 cup cold heavy cream

Combine the 2 chocolates, orange liqueur, 1/4 cup water, vanilla in a heat-proof bowl.  Set it over a pan of simmering water just until the chocolate melts.  Cool completely to room temperature. Whisk in the orange zest and butter until combined.

Place the egg yolks and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a large bowl.  Beat on high for 4 minutes, or until very thick and pale yellow.  With mixer on low speed, add the chocolate mixture.

Place 1 cup of egg whites (discard the remaining whites), salt and 1 Tbls. of sugar in another large bowl. Beat on high speed until firm but not dry.  Whisk 1/4 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture; then fold in the rest carefully with a rubber spatula.

Using the same bowl, used for beating egg whites,beat heavy cream and remaining 1 Tbls. of sugar until firm.  Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Pour the mouse into individual serving dishes or 8-cup serving bowl and chill.   Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

“In case you ever foolishly forget; I am never not thinking of you.” ~ Virginia Woolf

It is my most sincere wish that you have enjoyed Part I and Part II of, “Romance Is In The Air.”  Hold close those you love, and savor all the moments.  je t’aime ! 

 

Should you need a little extra inspiration for the evening, visit here. 

 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Valentine’s Day !

remember ~

Red tulips are an overt declaration of love !

Au Revoir,

Sandra

 

Photos: Pinterest, Facebook

Steak and Chocolate recipes are from Ina Garten.  Vinaigrette is my creation.

Music, “Everybody Loves Somebody,” by Frank Sinatra on You Tube

 

 

 

8 thoughts on “Romance Is In The Air – Part 2

  1. Sandra, I loved part 1 and 2 of Romance Is In The Air. Thank you for sharing these wonderful recipes! The chocolate orange mousse sounds heavenly! Happy Valentine’s to you and Michael! XOXO

  2. Wonderful post. We are staying home and having filet mignon, lobster tails and a salad.

  3. Thanks for the recipes! My Joe LOVES steak au poivre!!!! He had it first in Europe and came home and created his own recipe:) The dessert sounds delicious as well. Have a LOVING Valentine’s day!!!!

  4. We decided a long time ago to stay home on Valentine’s Day too — it’s just too crazy and crowded out there to be romantic in any way on that day. Your recipes sound so delicious. And I loved the photos. Love, love that steaming scene with Richard and Jennifer in that movie!!

    Wishing you a beautiful weekend, Sandra, and thank you for making my world more beautiful.
    Brenda xox

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