It’s the week of love. And I’m not one for celebrating a day of something, I like to make the good things last so I extend such celebrations for a week. My birthday last month being the big 3-0, was designed to last for 3 weeks (although that in the end did get a bit too much of a good thing!). So here in the (blog)house this week, we are celebrating love, and to do so I will be picking out some of the my heart wanders early-bird submissions at random and showcasing one each day with a little ditty. But to kick start the celebrations I’d like to begin with one of my loves: food. I’ve come up with a special menu for you which will stay in the kitchen this month. And although I’ve designed it for two, it is easily a menu that can accommodate 12. In fact we dined on an abbreviated version of this menu for my birthday dinner.
So here goes my lovelies, I hope you enjoy. I photographed and styled this story of images in Paris on a warm summer’s eve…
For hors d’oeuvre, start with a perfectly steamed artichoke. Pluck a leaf from the flower and dip it gently in a mustardy vinaigrette and softly bite into the meaty flesh at the base of the petal. Whisper sweet nothings tu m’aimes, tu ne m’aimes pas until you have both made your way to the core. Remove the tiny prickles to reveal the heart and cut little pieces, dip it in the vinaigrette and feed it to your love. The bowl of tossed artichoke leaves will leave you with a beautiful living still life to gaze upon…
Plat Principal: Raclette
Melt slices of fine raclette cheese over individual plates of cold meats, a simple boiled potato and serve with petits cornichons, cherry tomatoes and pickled baby onions while you sip on Savoie.
Indulge in a little pre-dessert to tantalise your tastebuds and follow with les fruits et le fromage: fresh figs with crumbled goats cheese and drizzled with rose-infused honey…
Before it gets too hot in here, lets cool down with a glass of champagne with wild hibiscus flowers. Santé a l’amour. Capture the moment and scribble each other a little message of love…
Then, between stealing kisses, serve le paroxysme. That is, la mousse au chocolat…
Et voilà.
bisous
my mouth is watering. xo
February 12th, 2008 | #
Ah, mousse au chocolat! My favorite dessert(my mum’s is amazing), and so easy to make.
I also love the idea of rose-infused honey and figs with cheese (actually, in Uruguay, people will typically have a slice of hard, yellow cheese with some ‘dulce de membrillo’, or quince jam…)
February 12th, 2008 | #
mouth-watering is a good sign, thanks jo! mary-laure, perhaps i could share your mum’s mousse au chocolat recipe if she is willing to divulge it for this menu in the kitchen! yes i too love quince jam and a thick slice of parmesan. I’m a keen cheese and fruits gal after dinner – I also love fresh dates and grapes with cheese. cheese cheese cheese… can you tell i love french cheese??!!
February 12th, 2008 | #
J’ai eu l’occasion d’apprécier ce menu est je dois dire qu’il est de toute première qualité. MIAM!!
February 12th, 2008 | #
wonderful, wonderful post!!
February 12th, 2008 | #
Miam, indeed! Everything about these photographs is seductive. And I agree, strong cheese and jam is delicious — reminds me of Corsica.
February 13th, 2008 | #
sensational menu! a feast for the eyes!
February 13th, 2008 | #
miam, i love fresh figs and honey..and chocolate..
(i’d love to make mary-laures mum’s mousse too!)
February 13th, 2008 | #