1. Sonnets From the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. For
Valentine’s Day, there isn’t anything any better than this collection of
sonnets (including “How Do I Love Thee, Let me count the ways…). Serve with
chocolate.
2. Fried Green Tomatoes at the WhistleStop Cafe by Fannie Flagg.
Even if you saw the movie, pick up the book!
3. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. C’mon, even the idea
of reading Shakespeare is romantic! Besides, this one isn’t nearly as
depressing as Romeo and Juliet — nobody dies.
4. Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg. A simple and genuine tale by this
gifted writer. If you’ve ever longed for a more exciting or interesting
relationship with your spouse (and haven’t we all?) this is one you’ll enjoy.
5. The Gamble by LaVryle Spencer. If you aren’t the type to venture into
the Romance aisles at your bookstore you might have missed this one and that
would be a mistake. Even if you wouldn’t be caught dead reading a Harlequin
Romance, read this one!
6. The Women by Hilton Als. Als gives us a look into his relationship
with three women in his life, one of which is a man. This is a gay story, and
not for everyone, but that isn’t to say there aren’t some wonderful moments in
here.
7. How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan. Spend an evening
away from the TV to read this one (which is better than any sitcom available).
Well-written, likable characters make this a fun read by the same author who
gave us Waiting to Exhale.
8. Between Us edited by Kay Turner. It’s passionate, angry,
sweet, and yes, explicit at times. Take a peek into love letters from women to
women, showing them at their strongest and most vulnerable.
9. The Love Letter by Cathleen Schine. Witty and charming story about a
divorced older woman who prides herself on her ability to control the people
around her… until the day she finds an anonymous love letter in her mail.
10. Carolina Moon by Jill McCorkle. There isn’t one love story in this
one, there are six with just as many mysteries and villains to keep you from
gagging. If love has always been a mystery to you… n
Top 10 Valentine’s Videos
by Christopher Null
1. Annie Hall, 1977. Woody Allen’s masterpiece of love and loss in New
York. Diane Keaton is so squishably cute that I wanted to meet Grammy Hall
myself.
2. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961. If you can actually find a copy of this
seminal love story on V-Day, I’ll be impressed. And try to forget that George
Peppard went on to star in The A-Team.
3. Miracle Mile, 1989. A love story on the eve of total nuclear
annihilation? Even if you don’t get the joke, you can marvel at Anthony Edwards
when he had hair.
4. Trust, 1991. If you’re as dysfunctional as I am, you’ll relate to
every frame of Hal Hartley’s quirky romance between a pregnant teen and her
idealistic, slightly unhinged boyfriend.
5. Casablanca, 1942. This movie is one of my girlfriend’s favorites, and
she’ll kill me if I don’t put this timeless classic on the list.
6. Say Anything…, 1989. John Cusack is unforgettable as an aspiring
kickboxer in love with the class brain. Easily the best romance from the
Eighties procession of teen angst comedies.
7. Defending Your Life, 1991. Who knew that Meryl Streep had a heart of
mush? Albert Brooks’ story of love in the afterlife is unforgettable. Companion
piece to Miracle Mile.
8. The Piano, 1993. Dark and brooding? Ha! I say, if a Scottish mute and
a New Zealand hillbilly can find true love together, then there really is
someone out there for everyone.
9. Bonnie & Clyde, 1967. Bonnie: “Don’t you ever feel like being
alone with me, baby?” Clyde: “I’m hungry.” How much more romantic does dialog
get?
10. Blue Velvet, 1986. Hey, sometimes freaks fall in love, too. nRecipes
for the Soul
Hearts on Fire If the object of your affection is someone who considers chocolate the
ultimate expression of love, loyalty, or lust, Valentine’s Day necessitates the
location and purchase of newer, more creative, more wonderful exercises in
chocolate extravagance with each passing year. Will this year’s tribute be
perhaps a larger ballotin of Godivas�, a fragrant assortment of enormous
chocolate covered strawberries, or some flaming chocolate creation concocted by
a local pastry chef? Alternately, there is the school of thought that adheres
to the maxim that, “Nothing says lovin’ like something from the oven.” Say it
beautifully with one of the following recipes that combine elegant chocolate
with earthy chipotle chile. Explain to your sweet baboo that combining
chocolate and chilies is a tradition as ancient and timeless as your love, as
delicious as your devotion, and as incendiary, as your passion. Set someone’s
heart on fire.
— by Virginia WoodChocolate Chile
Truffles With Tequila
9 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped or semi-sweet
chocolate bits
2/3 cup heavy cream
11/2 Tbs good quality a�ejo tequila (such as Patron)
11/2 tsps chipotle chile pur�e
unsweetened cocoa, finely chopped nuts,
powdered sugar
Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water,
stirring often. Remove from the heat. Scald the cream in a small, heavy
saucepan. Carefully pour the cream into the chocolate and blend well. Add the
tequila and chile pur�e, stirring well. Transfer the truffle cream to a
clean mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Cool to room temperature and
then refrigerate until thick, 3-4 hours. Line a baking sheet with foil, waxed
paper, or baker’s parchment. Use a tiny ice cream scoop or melon baller to
scoop out 1″ diameter mounds of chocolate onto the prepared tray. Cover with
plastic wrap and chill for another two hours. Shape the mounds into balls and
roll in cocoa, chopped nuts or powdered sugar. Place each truffle in its own
paper case* and serve at room temperature. Store the remaining truffles between
sheets of waxed paper or parchment in an airtight container in the refrigerator
for several weeks.
*Packages of individual small paper, gold, or silver foil cases are available
at Michael’s.Chipotle
Chocolate Fudge
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 lb bittersweet chocolate, chopped or
1 lb semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbs vanilla
2 cups toasted nuts, chopped (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts)
1 Tbs chipotle chile pur�e
Lightly butter a 9″ heart shaped pan* and set aside. Combine the condensed
milk, chocolate and vanilla in the top of a double boiler over gently simmering
water, making sure that the bottom of the pan doesn’t touch the water. Allow
the chocolate to melt, stirring regularly until smooth. Stir in the nuts and
then the chile pur�e. Spread the candy in the prepared pan and allow to
set at room temperature, about 2 hours. Carefully turn entire heart out onto a
serving platter lined with a 10″ or 12″ heart-shaped doily for presentation.
Once Valentine’s Day is over, any remaining fudge can be cut in bite-sized
pieces and will keep for several days in an airtight container.
*9″ heart-shaped pans by Wilton are $7.99 at Michael’s. Round or square 9″
pans will work. n
This article appears in February 14 • 1997 and February 14 • 1997 (Cover).