Okay, who out there has been saving up for the big “love” day coming up on the 14th?  Come on, you know who you are!  Haven’t had any love all year, getting ready for the big night, fancy restaurant booked, pretty dress or new shirt (depending who is reading this) is purchased, champagne is pre-arranged and you are ready to devour your Valentine’s date!  But, wait, you are going to that fancy restaurant, where you will have 4 or 5 courses of rich food that you will wash down with that pre-arranged bottle of bubbly and a bottle of wine…… as you walk out the door, jump into a taxi and proceed to drive at least 20 minutes home, it is clear that you will not be devouring anyone.   In fact, sweet love making will be the furthest thing from your mind – admit it now!  More than likely you will be complaining (to yourself) about the wad of cash you just blew as you reach for the “tums”.

Valentine’s Day Plan B – stay in.  WHAT?  STAY IN?  BORING!!!  Not, it really is not, just think about it ………  You get to set the scene:  Candles, flowers, linens, a bottle of bubbly and a nice home cooked meal or a blanket spread out on the living room floor, pizza delivery, a jug of wine, and a collection of your  favorite xxx movies – okay, maybe not the movies but you get our drift.  Regardless, you are home, you are comfortable, you will not gorge yourself silly full of fancy food and you have saved enough money that you will be able to spring for a nice box of chocolates and a card as well.

We always stay in for Valentine’s Day, we won’t be telling you which scenario will be taking place but we will be telling you that the following recipe is a great way to start a romantic evening at home.  It is decadent but still light enough so that you will not feel stuffed when you have cleaned (more like licked) the plate;  remember, saving room for that love making!  Not only is it a great appetizer but it also makes a wonderful light meal when paired with a simple frisee salad.  I just toss the frisee with lemon juice, olive oil, fresh thyme and a little salt, it pairs wonderfully with the creamy goat cheese, salty pancetta and sweet honey – if you don’t use all the honey, that is a nice little addition to the party you will be having after dinner … just saying!

Recipe:  Goat Cheese with Pancetta

*originally shared this recipe March 2009

40z of fresh goat cheese cut into rounds  - made 4 slices

4 thin slices of pancetta

olive oil

honey to taste – we used a nice chestnut honey

warmed baguette

Tightly wrap the goat cheese with the pancetta. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil in a frying pan, heat over low – medium heat.  Pan sear the wrapped goat cheese over low – medium heat until the pancetta is golden and the cheese lightly melted. Remove from heat and plate. Drizzle with honey. Serve.  Eat.