Home is Where the Heart is

We all love a night out on the town. And when it comes to Valentine’s Day, a lot of us may feel a sense of obligation to get dressed to the nines with our significant other and hit the town.

However, sometimes the best moments can be found where you least expect them. That’s why Victor Barry, executive chef of Splendido Restaurant in Toronto, has come up with a way for you to achieve an intimate dinner setting right at home: By sharing a few simple recipes of his famous Italian fare.

“These recipes do not require professional cooking skills, but they do require extra effort,” he says. “At Splendido, we take pride in the details and we thought Valentine’s Day was the perfect time to help couples do the same, by going out of their way to prepare something really special.”

Barry, who found his creative inspiration from his fiancée and her favourite movie, Serendipity, created three unique dishes based on the classic film (which also happens to be named after the famous NYC dessert shop, Serendipity 3).

“I asked my fiancée what her favourite love story was, and she said Serendipity. I was immediately inspired by the dessert shop they visit in the film, but also the city of New York itself, where it all takes place,” he explains.

The film, which stars John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, is about the romantic journey of two strangers who meet in a New York City department store. After losing contact with one another, they rely on serendipity to reunite them.

For those who simply can’t resist the urge to go out for a special dinner (or may just be too busy to make one on their own), Splendido has created a special Valentine’s Day menu that is sure to satisfy your romantic cravings.

Whether you end up staying in or going out, we wish you a splendid and serendipitous Valentine’s Day!

What are your plans for the big day? Let us know on Twitter — @LifestylerFlavs 

Splendido Restaurant Valentine's Day recipes:

To start: Waldorf Salad

Ingredients:
30 grapes
1/2 cup walnuts
3 celery sticks
1 celeriac
100 g walnut vinaigrette
1/2 bunch parsley

Directions:
1. Slice the celery and celeriac into fine strips
2. Mix all ingredients except the walnuts and parsley, one hour before serving
3. Season with salt and pepper and finish by tossing in parsley  
4. Enjoy with a glass of Riesling

Main: New York Style Pumpkin Ravioli

For the pasta dough
Ingredients:
1 cup double zero flour
3 egg yolks
1 whole egg
1 splash of water

Directions:
1. In a mixer, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth and firm 
2. Let rest for at least 30 minutes

For the pumpkin filling
Ingredients:
4 sweet potatoes
150 g ricotta
150 g Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Salt, pepper and nutmeg seasoning to taste

Directions:
1. Place sweet potatoes in over at 350 degrees and bake until tender
2. Scoop out and save filling
3. Mix all ingredients together, season to taste: The filling should taste like an unsweetened pumpkin pie

To make the ravioli, you need:
Pasta roller
Knife
Rasp
Frying pan
Blanching pot

Ingredients:
1 medium-sized piece of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 
150 g butter
10 pieces sage leaves

Directions:
1. Roll out pasta dough using the pasta roller until very thin, but still with texture
2. Pipe fill, the size of a toonie, and repeat half way down the pasta sheet, leaving one inch in diameter around each filling  
3. Brush with water
4. Fold over the pasta sheet while trying to remove all air pockets
5. Cut out each ravioli with a ring cutter or use a knife to make squares

To assemble:
1. Blanch the ravioli in salted boiling water for three minutes
2. While blanching, melt the butter with the sage leaves and let the butter become foamy
3. Strain the ravioli and place on baking sheet 
4. Rasp the Parmigiano-Reggiano over the ravioli 
5. Pour the butter and sage mixture over the ravioli
6. Serve and enjoy

For dessert: Splendipity Ice Cream Sundae

Keep it classic when it comes to dessert and after making pasta from scratch, you’ll want something easy and effective.

Ingredients:
1 small tub of vanilla ice cream
2 cups chopped brownies
1 cup salted peanuts
1 bottle chocolate sauce
1 cup Kahlua
1 cup Frangelico
2 parfait glasses
2 parfait spoons

Directions:
1. Start with coating the bottom of the parfait glass with chocolate sauce
2. Next, add one scoop of vanilla ice cream
3. Follow with a few pieces of brownie and peanuts
4. Top with chocolate sauce
5. Layer and repeat three times
6. Add a splash of Kahlua and Frangelico to your coffee for a special treat


Recipes Courtesy of Splendido Restaurant
Photo Courtesy: Justyna Furmanczyk (RGBStock)