Romantic Cooking for Valentine's Day from CatholicMom.com

Romantic Cooking for Valentine's Day
by Mary Emma Allen

For that day of hearts and flowers, we look for symbols of love and romance. Gifts are given, cards sent, parties planned, and special foods prepared. Celebrating Valentine's Day, an age-old tradition, dates back for years and years.

What better place to find ideas and recipes for Valentine's Day celebrations than in a cookbook with contributions by romance authors?

RECIPES FOR ROMANCE by Tammie Clarke Gibbs gives you "recipes, rendezvous, and sweet treats for the mind, body, and soul." The leading authors of romance share secrets, sweet recipes and romantic thoughts.

How Cookbook Originated

Where did Tammie get the idea for this book of romantic recipes and sweet treats? She says that while checking e-mail one evening, "The idea just popped into my mind."

Actually it was a question, she continues, "What kind of romantic life do published romance authors really have? Are they different than ordinary people?"

Tammie posed questions to more than sixty best-selling romance authors about their favorite romantic gift, what they consider a romantic evening, their favorite romantic movie or book and more. Then each also shared a Favorite "Sweet" Recipe.

In addition, you'll learn biographical information about your favorite author and the books they've written or currently are working on. If you visit the website www.recipesforromance.com you'll discover links to the authors' websites.

Various Authors

For instance, Dixie Browning, an award winning author, has contributed "Dixie's Decadent Dessert", a (sinfully rich chocolate pie). You'll learn that Dixie's favorite romantic movies are the "Ghost and Mrs. Muir" and "Pretty Woman." She also tells about her most romantic character and what she considers a truly romantic evening.

Karen Wiesner, a noted author of E-book romances shares "Sinfully Simple Tiramisu for Two." Learn how her husband proposed to her and what she considers a romantic evening.

Among other authors contributing to the book you'll find Heather Graham, Leigh Greenwood, Amanda Scott, Deborah Wood, Alice Duncan, Jude Deveraux, Jill Jones, Bronwyn Jameson, and others.

Numerous Delicious Recipes

Recipes include Dutch Apple Cake, Strawberry Jell-O-Cake, Jane Archer's Texas Pralines, Soft Sugar Cookies, Flour-less Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Soufflé, Nice & Easy Peach Cobbler, Baked Fruit Casserole, Vanilla Donuts, Rhubarb Bread, and Love Apples.

This is only a sampling to whet your appetite and serve for a romantic meal. This book provides fascinating reading as well as delicious recipes. Tammie said that compiling and writing RECIPES FOR ROMANCE was "one of the most enjoyable experiences she's ever had." Tammie lives in Vidalia, GA with her husband and son.

Check out the web site www.recipesforromance.com or a bookstore for Tammie's book. E-mail me at me.allen@juno.com if you don't find the ordering information elsewhere.

Way to Husband's Heart

A favorite dessert of my husband's: DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE PIE.

Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 2 3/4 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1/8 teaspoon salt. Add a little of the 2 cups milk to the mixture and stir; add remaining milk gradually, stirring all the while.

Cook in a double boiler or microwave until thick and smooth. Stir frequently while cooking. When thick, beat with wire whip a few minutes and then add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour into an 8-inch baked crust or graham cracker crust. Cool and serve with whipped cream. (I often double the recipe. My husband doesn't like a pie that's skimpy in filling.)

(c)2002 Mary Emma Allen

(Mary Emma Allen has been writing cooking columns for 30 years and
has compiled a family cookbook. Visit her web site for more cooking
articles: http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea; e-mail: me.allen@juno.com)

More Valentine's Day Activities at Catholic Mom