YOU’LL BE A “SHOE IN”

WITH YOUR SWEETHEART THIS VALENTINE’S DAY...

Nothing says Valentine’s Day better than having Champagne served in a Louboutin Stiletto Champagne Flute! And nothing is better to compliment this wonderful champagne than some “romantalicious” amuse bouché. So light the candles and turn up the Barry White on your MP3 player and enjoy the evening with these delectable ideas.

Caviar and Blinis

Ingredients

• 1 cup buckwheat pancake mix
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 2/3 cup milk
• Black caviar
• Crème fraîche
• Chives, snipped
• Smoked salmon
• Minced red onion
• Sweet red pepper hearts

Preparation

Combine the pancake mix with the salt, egg, butter or oil, and milk. Lightly brush another tablespoon of melted butter onto a skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, spoon the batter into it one tablespoon at a time. Cook the Blinis until tiny bubbles appear, about 1 minute, then flip them and fry until golden brown on each side. Transfer the Blinis to a platter. Stack on the warm Blini the crème fraîche, smoked salmon, caviar, chives, and onion. Cut hearts out of marinated sweet peppers and garnish the top of each Blini stack.

Fried Sweet Cheese Ravioli with Strawberries and Honey

Makes 24 Ravioli

Ingredients

• 4 cups coarsely grated whole-milk mozzarella cheese
• 15-ounce container whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup grated Romano cheese
• 4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 24 strawberries quartered
• 4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs, beaten to blend
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, room temperature
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (about) room-temperature water
• Corn oil or olive oil (for frying)
• Honey

Preparation

Mix powdered sugar, all cheeses and lemon peel in large bowl; set cheese mixture aside. Lightly flour 2 baking sheets. Mix bread flour and salt in another large bowl; mix in beaten eggs. Using fingertips, rub in butter a few pieces at a time until well blended. Add 1/2 cup water; stir to blend, adding more water by tablespoonfuls if dough is dry. Knead in bowl until dough comes together. Turn dough out onto floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll out 1 dough piece on lightly floured surface to scant 1/8-inch thickness. Using 3 1/2-inch-diameter cookie cutter or biscuit cutter and using sharp knife as aid, cut out 6 rounds. Repeat with remaining dough pieces. Transfer half of dough rounds to prepared baking sheets. Place 2 level tablespoons cheese mixture in center of each dough round on baking sheets. Top with quartered strawberries. Brush edges of dough rounds lightly with water. Cover with remaining dough rounds, pressing firmly on edges to adhere and seal. Preheat oven to 300°F. Pour enough oil into heavy large pot to reach depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F. Add 3 to 4 ravioli at a time to hot oil in pot and deep-fry until golden, turning once, about 4 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Place ravioli on baking sheets and keep warm in oven while frying remaining ravioli. Place ravioli on platter. Drizzle with honey and serve hot. These tantalizing bites are a definite “shoe in” for a wonderful Valentine celebration. So raise your “stiletto” and toast to love and romance! Happy Valentine’s Day!

For all of your cooking questions please feel free to contact me at the Waterlot Inn at barry.cohen@fairmont.com

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YOU’LL BE A “SHOE IN” WITH YOUR SWEETHEART THIS VALENTINE’S DAY... click here