The Month of Love

If love, that blessed nomad, is your guest, treat him well-Pelagia

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.–Virginia Woolf

It’s February.

The month of Love.

Sure, sure. Hallmark has generated a lot of February’s buzz. But the month holds a lot of allure on its own.  It’s the month of my wedding anniversary. 38 years. Gotta love that.  We’ll probably celebrate eating out. And if you love football, February is your month for friends and food. Did you know we Americans are expected to eat more than 1.25 billion chicken wings on Super bowl weekend? 

Lovin’ that. 
Hey, what do you think they do with all those necks? 
And of course, there’s Valentine’s Day.

A day that just wouldn’t be the same without that scrumptious food we love. Chocolate.

Estimates are that we Americans will buy around 58 million pounds of chocolate during the days leading up to February 14^th.  I’ll be carting home a few pounds. 

Love and eating go hand in hand. In honor of February, I'd like to share a couple of recipes that I think you’ll love.  They come courtesy of a dear friend of ours who recently graced our plates and palates with these fine foods.

Katie's Grilled Brie Sandwiches 

A distinction of this sandwich is the Granny Smith Apple which brings a crisp, tart and juicy element. The fig butter has such a distinctive fruit flavor; full and wonderful.  And what’s not to like about the savory mild and slightly sweet Brie?

Make these like you would a regular grilled cheese sandwich. Butter the outside of the bread.  Butter the inside with the fig butter.   Layer the sliced brie cheese on the bread.  Then layer the thinly sliced Granny Smith Apples.  Close the sandwich and grill. 

Ingredients

Sourdough Bread

Brie Cheese

Butter

Fig Butter

Granny Smith Green Apples

Katie’s Snowflake Chocolate Chip Cookies 

These are some of the best chocolate chip cookies I have had. Ever. Try them and tell me what you think.  The sprinkled sea salt is a touch that takes this traditional cookie to a new class.  Plus the dough lends itself to many variations, like using peanut butter chips, instead.  

Enjoy

Sift the dry ingredients together. Set aside.

Cream butter and sugars together

Add and mix in eggs and vanilla

Stir in the chocolate chips

Plastic wrap dough and place into freezer for a short while to chill before baking.  Or place in refrigerator overnight.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees.

Make your dough balls about the size of ping pong balls on steroids.

Sprinkle the tops with sea salt.

Bake until golden brown. About 20 minutes.

Eat happy

Ingredients

2 cups minus 2 tablespoons Cake flour

1 2/3 cups Bread flour

1 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder

1 1/4 teaspoon Baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

¾ Cup butter

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract (Madagascar)

2 large eggs

1 pound chocolate chips

Sea salt for garnish

February reminds me of December; lots of good cheer packed into one month. 

Seriously, shouldn't we spread the love?  Wouldn't it be cool to blend the best elements of December and February throughout the year?

I like the idea.

Once upon a time according to legend, this guy named Valentine refused a Roman Emperor’s edict and was thrown into the slammer. Refusing an emperor never ends well.  While behind bars, Valentine met the jailer’s daughter who proceeded to visit him regularly. Probably brought in chicken wings and baked cookies while they talked about whatever. Soon sparks flew and love was in the air. 

Cupid had shot his arrow. 

The evening before his execution, Valentine wrote his love a note that would forever change her life and ours. 

He signed his beloved’s note, "From your Valentine."

Gotta love it