San Valentino!

In the Golden Legend, Jacopo de Voragine writes that Valentino, a Christian priest of Ancient Rome, refused to bow to the Gods at the request of the Emperor Claudius II, and was "committed to a prince of the Court, to be guarded as a prisoner." Once he got to the man's home Valentine prayed that the Lord illuminate it and its residents, at which point the Prince said, "Since thou proclaimest that thy Christ is Light, ask Him to restore site to my daughter, who is blind! And if He does this I shall do all that thou biddest." The girl was healed and the Prince converted; the miracles didn't sway Claudius, who also ordered the execution of his Prince and the man's daughter. Jacopo doesn't go into how Valentino became the Patron of lovers, but popular tradition holds that he wrote the girl a letter on the eve of his execution, signing it "from your Valentine." After his death a pink almond tree, symbol of abiding love, blossomed near his grave.

In celebrating San Valentino you are faced with a couple of options. If you decide to dine out, you've got to select the proper restaurant. If you're celebrating at home, the meal should be light, inviting, and include things that will get more than just the blood circulating, such as truffles, caviar or crustaceans. What you like, and what means something special to you and your partner will of course dictate what you serve. Here are a number of things Elisabetta and I have made to celebrate San Valentino over the years, which may give you some ideas:

Saltimbocca di Pese Spada
Swordfish saltimbocca, tasty quick-cooked swordfish rolls.

Crespelle di Salmone
Crespelle are the Italian equivalent of crepes; these are with salmon.

Ravioli di Storione
Sturgeon ravioli with a delicate shrimp sauce.

Cestino all'Aragosta
A pasta basket filled with spiny lobster.

Pasta al cartoccio Vucciria
An extraordinarily rich Sicilian pasta dish.

Risotto coi Gamberetti
A delightful, delicate shrimp risotto.

Risotto alla Fonduta
A libidinous creamy black-truffle-laced risotto.

Scampi alla Piastra
Grilled sampi on a delicately spiced bed of rice.

Scampi alla Busara
Scampi from Friuli, done in a zesty tomato sauce atop the stove. Also, a quick, simple shrimp scampi.

Pollo al Mango
An unusual, exotic chicken-and-mango recipe.

Mele e Pere con Crema Speziata
Apples and pears in a spicy cream sauce.

What about White Truffles, you wonder? Liberally sliced over taglierini in a delicate cream sauce, they were one of the highlights of a memorable restaurant meal.

More Dishes To Get The Juices Running.

Good Food & Drink,
Kyle Phillips

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