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53
MAKE IT SIZZLE
Start with Rouses fresh sausage
— green onion, Italian, Cajun,
and jalapeño all pair well with
eggs. Bring the sausage to room
temperature before cooking —
this will cut down the cooking
time and give you a more even
result. Leave the casing intact,
and cook over low to medium
heat, not high — there’s no need
to sear, here — you’re going for
a nice golden brown. For perfect
scrambled eggs, use a whisk or
immersion blender — you want to
get some air in there. Use a non-
stick skillet and butter for flavor
and added moisture (butter makes
everything better). Cook eggs over
low heat — high temperatures
will dry them out. And don’t
overcook — scrambled eggs only
need a minute to set, and they will
continue to cook after you remove
them from the heat.
There are many different kinds of love, and
many different ways to celebrate February
14th. In our home, we like to celebrate
the holiday with a dinner party with a fun
mix of people. Coupled or not, married or
single. It’s a hodgepodge of people we love,
who may not know each other, but all share
the love of a good time. We call it “A New
Talent Dinner.”
Now, by no means is this a set-up — I
learned a long time ago not to mess
with cupid’s arrows. Sadly when I play
matchmaker for friends, there are inevitably
tears over cocktails, so I leave all that mess
to Mother Nature and the Internet where
such meddling belongs.
Nothing says love like a home-cooked
dinner. Make it special. Send out invites or
e-vites, dress up, arrange the flowers (or have
Rouses do it) and strategically set the place
cards in a way that encourages interesting
conversation. We all know there are talkers
and listeners, so mix it up and leave nothing
to chance. Dim the lights, and light the
candles — lighting is everything, especially
if the guests are over age 35. Maybe make
it a real “old school,” retro dinner party. Let
the first course be a classic shrimp cocktail,
the main course something that is your own
“Dimthe lights, and light the candles
— lighting is everything, especially
if the guests are over age 35.”
tried-and-true specialty, and end it all with a
decadent cake like Rouses Gentilly cake, red
velvet, crème brûlée, or strawberry ambrosia.
Most
importantly,
remember
that
Valentine’s Day is all about the effort made,
the gift of ones time, the gift of one’s self,
and the gift of candelight for those over 35.
That’s love.
VALENTINE’S DAY