It is coming up to Valentine's Day and, if you are in the mood for love, get your pinnies on and give your loved one a night to remember. You could save pounds by doing it yourself and I speak from experience when I say that she really will appreciate it.Here is your Taylor Made menu of love.


Love Apple Soup

1 tblsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 stalks of celery, finely chopped
1 carrot, shredded
4 tomatoes, chopped or 1 can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crumbled
3 cups of vegetable or chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a large pan and sauté the onion, celery, and carrots until vegetables are tender.

Add the tomatoes and basil. Simmer over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are softened.

Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and carefully blend until smooth.

Return pureed mixture to cooking pot and combine with the stock. Simmer, uncovered, until soup is reduced to the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 4 servings.



Cupid's Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 slices Swiss or Provolone cheese
4 thin slices of smoked ham
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 egg, beaten
1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
4 tblsp butter
½ cup chicken stock
1 cup whipping cream

Flatten chicken breast to ¼-inch thickness. Sprinkle each piece on both sides with salt and pepper. Place 1 cheese slice and 1 ham slice on each breast. Roll up each breast using toothpicks to secure if necessary. Dredge each in flour, shake off excess, then in egg and finally in bread crumbs.

Place seam side down in a buttered baking dish . Place 1 tablespoon butter on each piece of chicken. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes until juices run clear. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring stock to the boil and reduce down by half . Add cream and simmer until sauce thickens, then finish with a little tomato ketchup ,season and serve separately


Casanova's Chocolate Terrine

12 egg yolks
8 oz semi-sweet chocolate
8 oz white chocolate
8 oz milk chocolate
3/4lb butter
1 qt heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar


In a heavy-based saucepan, vigorously whisjk four egg yolks and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until thickened (enough to coat the back of a spoon). Set aside.

In a second mixing bowl over a double boiler, mix 8oz chocolate with butter until smooth. In a mixer, whip heavy cream with vanilla and powdered sugar until firm peaks. Set aside and refrigerate.

Next, fold the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture then add 4 oz of the whipped heavy cream. Pour mixture into bread pan lined with plastic. Refrigerate until firm. Repeat method two times. Refrigerate until firm.

To serve, remove from pan and slice into triangles for presentation. Add your favourite sorbet and serve immediately.