Family Valentine’s Day, chocolate decadence, and Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate the loving relationships in your life. Have you considered celebrating this special day with your kids? Clinton Cooper, Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, shares his favourite Valentine’s Day chocolate recipe, Decadence, followed by some creative ways to make Valentine’s Day meaningful for your entire family.

White chocolate mousse

• 250 grams chocolate (white) (8 oz)
• 100 milliliters Cream (6 tbsp)
• 4 grams gelatin (1 tsp)

Directions:

1. Whip the cream.
2. Soak the gelatin in cold water.
3. Melt the chocolate and add the gelatin until dissolved.
4. Fold in the whipped cream and refrigerate until required.

Chocolate sorbet

• 400 grams milk (½ cup)
• 200 grams sugar (¾ cup)
• 100 grams cocoa powder (⅓ cup)
• 100 grams chocolate (manjari 70%) (3 oz)

Directions:

1. Place the milk and sugar in a sauce pan and bring to the boil.
2. Remove from the heat and whisk in the remaining ingredients until dissolved.
3. Allow to cool, then churn in an ice cream machine. Freeze until required.

Chocolate brownie

• 250 grams chocolate (caraibe 66%) (8 oz)
• 400 grams sugar (1 ¾ cups)
• 4 whole eggs
• 150 grams butter (1 stick plus 2 tbsp)
• 300 grams flour (1 ½ cups)
• 5 grams baking powder (1 tsp)
• 200 grams hazelnuts (1 cup)

Directions:

1. Cream the butter and sugar until the sugar is dissolved and is light and fluffy.
2. Slowly add the eggs one by one.
3. Fold in the remaining ingredients.
4. Pour mixture in a lined baking tray and cook at 180 degrees C for 30minutes. (350 F)

Chocolate tart

• 1 whole sweet pastry (equivalent of one single pie crust)
• 250 grams chocolate (caraibe 66%) (8 oz)
• 250 grams butter (2 sticks)
• 4 egg yolks
• 100 grams sugar (⅓ cup)

Directions:

1. Melt the chocolate and butter over a water bath.
2. Combine the sugar and egg yolks and whisk over heat until they become light and fluffy.
3. Gently fold the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture.
4. Then pour into a baked sweet pastry tart.
5. Place in the oven at 100 degrees C for 5 minutes. (225 F)
6. Allow to cool before slicing.

If your dessert-making skills favour more simple delights, consider a chocolate fondue. Slice firm fruits and crispy rice treats into bite-size chunks for dipping in melted chocolate.

Valentine’s Day for the entire family

While much of the advertising around Valentine’s Day is for couples, there’s no reason not to get your kids involved in a meaningful tradition that focuses on the loving relationships that make your family what it is. Here are some ideas for ways you can celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family:

• Have a sunset picnic by the beach: Immerse yourself in an evening of togetherness by the beach. Pack some of your favourite foods along with champagne (and sparkling grape juice for the kids). Play, swim, share memories, enjoy the sounds of the ocean and the laughter of your kids while you share an evening together.
• Family breakfast in bed: Get each one of your family members to make a dish that they know the other would love. If you agree to clean up the kitchen as your gift to your family, you’ll maximise the fun everyone has sharing delicious morning treats.
• Create personalised chocolates: Become a chocolatier for the day. Put together a box of delightful chocolate goodies with personalised messages on the wrapping. Your loved ones will savour the moment and save your message for life.
• Make Valentine’s Day cards as a family: Helping your kids make cards for each other and members of your extended family like grandparents or aunts and uncles can be a great way to make the day special and bring meaning to a holiday that need not be just about romance.
• Take the day off from school and work: Make Valentine’s Day a real holiday for your family to celebrate together with sledding and hot chocolate if you live in a snowy region or a beach party if you’re lucky to live in a warm place.

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family in a special way? Share your tradition in a comment for others to consider for this special day.

Image: Into Somerset via Flickr