It’s the classic day for romance, but many couples also want to add a bit of fun to their Valentine’s Day celebration. Instead of the usual dinner reservations, why not take a different approach that’s interactive and a great catalyst for conversation: fondue.
One of the best things about fondue and Valentine’s Day is that it opens the door for many different possibilities. You can keep it just between you and your sweetheart, make it a couples’ event, or host a singles’ party so that those who are “unattached” can get in on the fun as well.
Having a few pots going is a good idea – one for a classic Swiss cheese fondue, one for oil, butter or broth, and another with dark, milk or white chocolate for a decadent dessert. As for what you’ll be dipping, set out a variety of platters with vegetables, meats, breads and fruits. And, given the nature of the day, it’s not out of place to include some aphrodisiac foods – asparagus, bananas, broccoli rabe, figs and strawberries. It might be counterintuitive, but garlic is also an aphrodisiac and makes a great addition to your cheese or butter pot.
Consider these ideas for your Valentine’s Day fondue.
* Just you and your Valentine: Set the mood by decorating your space with romantic touches. Create a romantic glow with candlelight throughout your home, and make your table setting lavish with a vase full of lush red roses. Plan well in advance so that you have time to compile a playlist of romantic music for the evening and are able to find just the right bottle of wine or champagne to accompany your fondue courses. Take turns feeding each other the romantic foods for a special experience.
* A couples’ get-together: Make the day easy on your friends by giving them a way out of having to struggle to get restaurant reservations – invite them over for a festive fondue party. Set up a buffet of beautiful foods to dip in your bubbling fondue pots – just be sure that your fondue forks can be easily differentiated so there are no mix-ups. A nice touch to keep the romantic theme of the day going is to arrange for flowers to be given to each couple attending the party. Using a delivery service like 1-800-Flowers.com makes it much easier than going from store to store finding enough blooms for everyone. Round out the evening by watching a romantic comedy – one that guys and girls can both agree on, of course.
* A singles’ soiree: Valentine’s Day can definitely make singles feel left out, but there’s no reason they can’t celebrate with friends. Make it a girls’ night or a mix-and-mingle event, but either way, make sure that you have a wide variety of foods to sample and a good supply of complementary beverages like beer, wine or your own specially-created cocktail. Depending on the type of party, it can be fun to go around the table describing hilariously bad dates of the past.
Fondue adds a new dimension to Valentine’s Day, whether you’re celebrating with your sweetie or your best friends. For recipes and more information about hosting a fondue party, go to www.celebrations.com.