V-Day

I just love Valentine's Day! I know it is one of the most hated and commercialized 'Hallmark' holidays there are, but for some reason I just love it. I think (other than the obvious enjoying flowers and chocolate), I really enjoy Valentine's Day because it is the anniversary of mine and Jared's first date (Feb. 14, 2003: Art Show at Houghton House [at HWS], followed by me performing in The Vagina Monologues [which Jared refused to attend out of principle, but his frat brothers did], and concluded with a Semi-Formal Dance at Kappa Sigma, oh the memories...). So the holiday always holds a special place in my heart. It has become our tradition to stay in and cook a nice dinner at home to celebrate, because, it's kind of like New Years Eve in that you are pretty much guaranteed an overpriced crap meal if you go out. And Jared's personal mission seems to be outdoing himself year after year in what he prepares. This year he did not disappoint...

Homemade Fried Calamari.

Who makes their own fried calamari? Jared does! Our first wonderful course, which may have just outdone the homemade pomme frites of last year. Delicious.

Beef Wellington with asparagus.

Then our main was Beef Wellington (ala Gordon Ramsay) with asparagus. Jared knows my true love in life (other than him, of course) is filet mignon, and that I would probably be extremely disappointed if he didn't make some semblance of beef tenderloin, so instead of just doing the stereotypical grilled steak, he stepped it up and made Ramsay's famous Wellington that we've both been wanting to try for some time. It is basically beef tenderloin wrapped in prosciutto and then covered in a layer of minced mushrooms mixed with pate and then all covered in puff pastry and baked. I never really thought you could improve upon filet, but this just may be the way. Super yummy!

Sex in a Pan.

And I was in charge of dessert, and being much less talented and industrious in the kitchen than Jared, I made this fairly easy recipe which consisted of a shortbread/pie crust-like layer on the bottom, followed by a cream cheese frosting layer, then a chocolate pudding layer, and then whipped cream on the top. It was quite good and the name seemed fitting for the holiday. A perfectly lovely Valentine's Day.

And on a side note, Valentine's Day at school was completely crazy with the most over the top Valentine's party and Valentine's I've ever seen. There were kids bringing Valentine's gift bags with stuffed animals for the others kids in the class (all 16 of them) as their "Valentine"... So much for punch-out valentine's from the drug store that I gave out when I was a kid. I received two stuffed animals, about 5 boxes of chocolates, a scented candle, and even a rose from one little girl. Crazy. It was fun though.