"ValentineCooking" news and stories

All week we'll be bringing you stories of how to win the heart of someone you long for with nothing more than a few comestibles and a way with a whisk, a chef's knife, or a hot cooktop. Everyone knows the way to anyone's heart is through the stomach. We'll show you the best, the craftiest, the sweetiest, saltiest, and spiciest ways. You can send the wedding invitations here.

My gravy has won the heart of many a man. But nothing, to my husband, says love more than this image here: me, whisking away, creating creamy salty poultrified deliciousness. Even Saveur agrees.

Always, I bring him the first taste, on my spoon procured just for the purpose. Sometimes I'll surprise him, when he thinks I'm making some mundane meal, a gratin or a soup, I'll get out the chicken stock base, I'll make a roux, and create bubbly magic. It never fails to make him fall in love with me all over again. Like Saturday night; he came home from a 12-hour day doing Army Reserve duties and I made him pork chops with gravy.