“…he or she lucky enough to have a lover in frigid, antsy February has cause for celebration indeed.” – Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins

Beef Tenderloin. Garlic mashed potatoes. Fried mushrooms swimming in butter. Dense, fudgy chocolate cake. The whole bottle of red. Sound romantic? Think again. Such a heavy menu is likely to result in you and your sweetie resting on the sofa and watching TV “for just a few minutes” only to be startled awake by a blaring infomercial at 2 AM. And worse, if only one of you drifts off, it’s a recipe for resentment, not romance.

Even though Valentine’s has passed, February is a great month to get a little closer to your significant other. Social calendars aren’t as crowded; it’s cold outside and the perfect time of year to stay indoors. Spend a Saturday at the market, cook together and linger at the table. This menu is full of light, sexy courses, without much prep or long cooking times, all bonuses if you want to stay frisky. It’s more fun if you take your time while preparing and eating each course together before starting the next. Pink champagne would be nice here – cheeky and fun.