Did you actually know there was a Saint Valentine? Today is his feast day. He is the patron saint of many things but most notably young lovers. The legend goes that during the Claudian persecution it was forbidden for anyone to marry. Emperor Claudius believed that single men made better soldiers. So Valentine, a priest at the time secretly married young lovers. Valentine was eventually caught and the Emperor had him arrested. He was so impressed with the priest he tried to convert him to paganism. The young priest held firmly to his catholic faith and was eventually condemned to death.
While incarcerated, he befriended a guard and his blind daughter. He convinced them to convert to catholicism and legend has it, he also restored the eye sight of the young girl.
The night before his death, he sent a goodbye letter to the young girl and signed it affectionately ”from your Valentine” that statement is still used today.
He was executed on February 14th 273 AD in Rome.
Chocolate Espresso Pots du Creme
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon espresso powder
8 oz chopped chocolate (I used dark semisweet)
6 egg yolks
2 tablespoons white sugar
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
In a medium sauce pan add cream, milk and espresso powder. Bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low and add your chocolate, cook on low until chocolate is completely melted.
In a medium bowl combine the egg yolks in with the sugar. Add the chocolate mixture a little bit at a time to the yolk mixture.
Add chocolate mixture to small espresso cups or ramekins. Place in a water bath. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Refrigerate and chill for at least 3 hours.
Peace be with you,
Veronica
