Eat your heart out

In this take on Brussels sprouts, salty prosciutto balances the creaminess of the sauce on the round veggie buds. (Photo: The Junior League of Houston, Inc.)

Cooking Buzz is a column produced in partnership with the Junior League of Houston, a women’s charitable and educational organization founded in 1925.

Valentine’s Day may bring to mind pink hearts, red roses and sentimental cards, but for a lot of couples, it also means making dinner reservations and frantically trying to secure a babysitter.

My husband and I have celebrated Valentine’s Day in several ways, from a beer and chocolate pairing with friends at Whole Foods to the year we both happened to be in Las Vegas – he was at a bachelor party and I was on a girls’ trip – both enjoying fun dinners out with friends. We’ve also had our share of restaurant reservations with set menus, but lately, we’ve been celebrating with a special dinner at home.

We carve out time to choose recipes and take a leisurely trip to the grocery store; we even set the table with our best china and crystal. Our everyday pace is hectic, so the joy is in not being in a hurry.

My husband is an avid hunter, and we have a lot of dove in our freezer that we love to cook for lighter meals. One fantastic recipe is Dove Madeira from the Junior League of Houston’s Stop and Smell the Rosemary cookbook. This recipe is a gourmet alternative to the grilled dove we normally prepare, with a rich sauce that complements the lean game birds and makes the dish feel worthy of a special occasion.

We love Brussels sprouts at our house, and the Brussels Sprouts with Prosciutto recipe from Peace Meals is a great take on this side dish. The salty prosciutto balances the creaminess of the sauce – just try not to snack on too many crisp prosciutto strips before you finish the dish.

No Valentine’s Day dinner would be complete without something sweet. When my husband and I were dating, he made dinner for me and my roommate one Valentine’s Day, with chocolate mousse for dessert. We were so impressed! Little did we know how simple it is to make. The Dutch Chocolate Mousse from Stop and Smell the Rosemary is an elegant end to a good meal. This is something that needs time in the refrigerator, so be sure to make this first. Once the mousse is firm, you can top with chocolate curls or Valentine’s candy.

Finally, for a touch of pink, I love the El Diablo drink found in Peace Meals. The tequila makes it a perfect addition to your Texas Valentine’s Day.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day is about spending time with the people you love, and what better way to do that than around your own dining table.

Editor’s note: To buy a cookbook, see jlh.org or call 713-871-6608.