by Karie Engels
The history of Valentine’s Day is obscure, and further clouded by various fanciful legends. The holiday’s roots are in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15. Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day. InfoPlease.com
Today, Valentine’s Day is a multi-billion dollar industry and according to an article by CNN, Americans alone will spend over $18 billion, indicating how much we adore love.
This year, for a more intimate evening with your partner, consider spending the night in.
Creating a romantic ambiance for your “love nest” calls for a bit of imagination and preparation and I am sharing two of the most delicious and sexy desserts on the web to inspire your Valentine’s evening or weekend.
Red Velvet and Strawberry Mousse Verrines ~ Tempting layers of crumbled red velvet cake with lighter than air strawberry mousse and fresh strawberries. Although this recipe is a bit involved, it is sinfully delicious and will be a delight to both you and your Valentine.
Red Velvet Cake Ingredients List: Cake flour, caster sugar, vegetable oil, baking soda, cocoa powder, sea salt, vanilla extract, white distilled vinegar, eggs, buttermilk, food coloring and butter
Strawberry Mousse Ingredients List: Crème Yvette Liquor or water, frozen strawberries, caster sugar, powdered gelatin, egg whites and heavy whipping cream.
Garnish Ingredients List: Dark chocolate for shaving and strawberries
Chocolate Meringue with Strawberries ~ If you are looking for a recipe for love, you have found it. Melted dark chocolate with currants and almonds have been folded in the beaten whites to create a sexy flavor that dances in your mouth. Bringing it all together is a Greek yogurt whipped cream mixture.
Meringue Ingredients List: Egg whites, caster sugar, cornstarch, white wine vinegar, vanilla extract, dark chocolate with currants and almonds and a pinch of salt.
Whipped Cream Ingredients List: Heavy cream, Greek yogurt and confectioners sugar
“What comes to mind when you think of Valentine’s Day?—I say, of course Champagne! But make it a little extra special by simply freezing thin slices of strawberries, whole raspberries, small rose petals or whatever speaks Valentine to you in ice cubes. Serve the bubbly in the bucket covered with the ice for a stunning celebratory presentation. -Art de Fete”
For more decor ideas and recipes please follow the link to Art de Fete, Recipes: Chocolate Meringue with Strawberries and Red Velvet Strawberry Mousse Verrines
