SWEET VALENTINE - SWEET COMIC VALENTINE – YOU MAKE ME SMILE....

Every day should be St. Valentine’s Day...or, at least, in the general, genial sentiments of the chosen day – not the nasty attitudes displayed on Thursday, February, 14^th, 1929, which became known as the infamous “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.

On that particular Valentine’s Day the slaughter of seven members of Chicago’s North Side Gang became long-lasting headlines as they bit the bullet/s and hit the dust on a garage floor at the hands of Thompson submachine guns brandished about by friends of the dastardly, wicked Al Capone.  That’s probably not the best way to go about spreading the love.  I’m pretty sure there are far more genteel, kind ways of enjoying Valentine’s Day.

A couple of weeks ago in the IGA car park I was shown kindness by a total stranger who obviously has a loving heart. 

Once again, I was lost in a world of my own - one would think I’d know my way around by now – as I neared my car with a grocery-filled trolley, out of the blue, I felt a hand gently tap my shoulder while at the same time the following words were spoken - directed at me...

“Can I help you load your groceries into your car?”  

Turning around, I found myself face to face with a lovely young woman graced with a sunny smile as wide as the western sky. From the goodness of her heart, a complete stranger, a smiling stranger, had made the thoughtful offer.   The friendly young woman’s consideration will not be forgotten. 

Thanking her sincerely, I declined her generosity. 

Those few unexpected, genuine, kind words, combined with her lovely smile lifted my spirits to a much higher level...out of the dungeon of despair in which  they were 

wallowing.  

Kindness - thoughtfulness of strangers; a bonny smile, a friendly word, freely offered - restore one’s faith and warms one’s heart. 

Valentine’s Day, of course, is associated with romantic love. A sentiment that is fine with me – it always has been. What can be wrong with a celebration of love? A celebration of caring, and of kindness?

In my most humble opinion we need more such days; perhaps every day of the week, or every other day. 

If you feel the whole thing is a load of foolish, frivolous nonsense, and find Valentine’s Day annoying, you can blame the abolishment of the pagan fertility rituals held each February on a Pope from a long time ago, way before the Dark Ages - years before I was born even.

It was he who didn’t have a romantic bone in his body.  

Because of his harshness, a few centuries after that particular Pope did his deed, Geoffrey Chaucer, the 14^th Century renowned poet, author - obviously an idealist dreamer - appeared on the scene to rectify the situation.

  

Called “Geoff” by his mates, Geoff was known as the ‘Father of English literature”....the greatest poet of the Middle Ages.

I’m way past middle age, which means, I suppose, I won’t be great at anything.  That boat has sailed...left the port.  

Chaucer most famously is responsible for gifting the world with - “The Canterbury Tales”.

On a greater scale – in “Life Tales” - be kind; be thoughtful; be empathetic; have a heart.

Since Hava Hearts were discontinued I devour Connoisseurs. 

Think of others, not only of yourself. 

Spread the love around; doing so sure beats the direct antonyms.  Share the ice cream, too!  

Happy Valentine’s Day...every day of the week...every week of every year! 

Pea Fritters with Prawns and Mint Cream: Process 1/2c thawed peas until coarsely chopped. Add 1 egg yolk, 1tbs plain flour, 1tbs fresh breadcrumbs (day-old bread) and 1 shallot thinly sliced; season; process until combined. Heat 1tbs olive oil in pan over med-heat. Add 6 heaped teaspoonfuls of pea mixture to pan; flatten each slightly. Cook 1min per side or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to plate. Top each fritter with dollop of sour cream mix, and 1cooked, peeled prawn. Serve as a starter, sprinkled with shredded mint. 

Stuffed Chicken Breasts: Preheat the oven 185 C. Cut 2 chicken breasts almost halfway through. Chop up 55g mozzarella, 2 canned artichoke hearts, 5 large basil leaves, 2tsp sundried tomato, and 1 garlic clove. Mix to combine; stuff it into cut chicken breasts. Use a few toothpicks to close the chicken around stuffing. Place chicken on baking sheet; season it with pepper, curry powder, and paprika; bake 20-25mins or until done.  Remove toothpicks before serving.

Valentine’s Ice Cream Cupcakes: Preheat oven and prepare chocolate cake mix as per package directions; line muffin tin with cupcake liners. Pour 1tbs cake batter into each muffin tin; bake 12-15mins. Remove from oven: cool. Spread mint chocolate chip ice cream on top of each cooled cupcake; place in freezer 3-4hrs to set. Pipe whipped cream or topping on top of cupcakes; garnish with mini-chocolate chips.

Sweetheart Mousse: Melt 85g semi-sweet chocolate squares in double boiler until smooth; remove from heat.  Add 1c cold whipping cream to a bowl’ whisk on high speed until it holds stiff peaks; add 240g softened cream cheese; beat on medium until smooth. Gradually pour in melted chocolate, then 1/2tsp vanilla; add 1c icing sugar; mix until combined. Pipe using large tip, or pour into ramekins or small dessert bowls.  Top with raspberries/strawberries.  Chill about 2 hrs.