There are quite a few stories on how the tradition of Valentine’s Day came about. Some are romantic, some are not, many believe that the greeting card industry is responsible (LOL). Me, I believe the Italians have it right.
Valentine’s Day dates back to the Roman Empire and the celebration of Juno, Goddess of Marriage and Woman. The actual day is credited to a priest who defied the Roman Emperor’s order banning any marriages during wartime but went ahead and married couples anyway. He was put to death on Feb. 14 for his defiance and was later awarded Sainthood... St. Valentine.
While here in the U.S. everyone gets involved with Valentine’s Day, in Italy the day is only celebrated between sweethearts and lovers with flowers, romantic dinners, specialty pastries and some of the best chocolate around.
One of my favorite Italian traditions, which is fairly new, is the “Love Lock.” Couples will get a padlock and either write or engrave their names or initials on the lock, lock it somewhere publicly and throw away the key thereby expressing that the couple will be locked together forever. Unfortunately, because this new tradition became so popular and thousands of locks were attached to monuments and bridges the Italian government made it illegal. This, however, did not deter those romantic Italians as thousands of new locks appear every year.
For something simple and a tasty way to express your affection for someone may we suggest a simple heart ... made of puff pastry, flavored Mascarpone and your favorite berries. This dessert is one of our most popular Valentine’s desserts and is so easy to prepare.
Here is what you will need:
· Sheet of paper cut to the heart size you desire (an 8-inch – 10-inch outside diameter is good, then cut out a heart in the middle leaving at least an inch of puff pastry
· 3 Puff Pastry Sheets - available at the grocery store
· 24 ounces Mascarpone
· 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
· 1 tablespoon heavy cream
· 1⁄2 cup powdered sugar
· Pink food coloring
· Raspberries
· Granulated sugar
· Seasonal flowers
· Parchment paper to cook the Puff Pastry on
· 2 pastry bags 1 with round tip & 1 with swirl tip
· Serving platter
Roll out the puff pastry and trace the cutout heart shape on each sheet... you will end up with 3 heart cutouts.
Follow the baking instructions on the package for the puff pastry and set aside to cool. Assemble the filling by mixing together Mascarpone, vanilla extract, cream, and powdered sugar - cream together until smooth. Divide mixture putting 1/3 into a prepared pastry bag with the swirl pastry tip. Put 2/3 of the mixture in a bowl and add Pink food coloring until you reach the desired pink tint...place the pink Mascarpone in a prepared pastry bag with the round tip.
Take of the puff pastry hearts and place 3 small dots of the white mascarpone on the bottom of the heart to secure to the serving platter.
Start to place large round dots of the pink Mascarpone around the heart. Once you have finished a layer place another heart on top, repeat pink Mascarpone dot placement. Add the final heart and alternate 2 pink Mascarpone dots with a swirl of the white mascarpone until the top is complete.
Place raspberries in granulated sugar and coat with sugar. Place raspberries and seasonal flowers on the top and around the heart on the serving platter...Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
“Life is a piece of cake, enjoy every layer!”
Cynthia Ferris-Bennett is the owner of the Sierra Chef Culinary Center, Italian Bakery & Gourmet Market in Genoa, offering weekly cooking classes, gourmet culinary pantry and market, Italian desserts and pastries.
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