On Valentine’s Day, restaurants are crowded and often noisy, negating the warmth and intimacy we would like to experience.  I think the most romantic thing you can do is stay home and cook together! I love setting a romantic table with candlelight, playing my favorite Brazilian CD, and drinking an outrageous bottle of wine or sexy cocktail. My suggestion for a fabulous Valentine’s Day meal is a Provencal rack of lamb, potato gratin, roasted asparagus with Parmigiano, and for dessert I love this Bittersweet Chocolate Pot de Creme…. If you want to learn the rest of these dishes, come to one of my Flirting with Flavors cooking classes.

They say chocolate contains the same pleasure producing chemicals that are released when we fall in love. We know that dark chocolate makes us feel good, but it’s also an antioxidant that’s good for our hearts.  And Valentine’s Day is all about opening our hearts, right? Plus,  this combination of chili and chocolate will make you tingle, and this is one of the easiest desserts you will ever make!  Feed this to your sweetheart and watch the glow!

Bittersweet Chocolate Pots de Creme

Serves 6

** Make the night before you plan to serve so it has time to set.

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

2 egg yolks

¼ cup sugar

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon cayenne chili powder (more or less, depending on your taste)

Pinch of salt

1 cup milk

½ cup heavy cream

Put the chocolate, egg yolks, sugar, liquor or vanilla extract, chili and salt in a blender. Pour the milk and cream into a saucepan and set over high heat. As soon as the milk and cream have come to scald*, pour the hot liquid into the blender and puree on high for 2 minutes. Pour the custard into 6 small ramekins and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.  I used heart shaped ramekins for this available at Sur La Table Top with whip cream just before serving.

*To scald means to bring the milk just up to under a boil so you get a skin on top.

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift?  How about a gift certificate to Flirting with Flavors  Cooking School? Your sweetheart will be thanking you by cooking delicious meals all year!

We’ve made it easy for you.  Just click on the link to purchase.