Will you be my Valentine's??

Wikipedia says that Valentine’s Day also known as Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

All the ladies may not like what I am about to say, but I say all this a bunch of BULL; I believe valentines was created by Hallmark, Florist and Candy companies. Who needs it? Give me flowers just because, not just because it is Valentine’s day and why give me a card to tell me how much I mean to you or how much you love me, tell me to my face. I would feel weird to have a card tell someone how I feel about them. Tell that certain someone yourself or do something truly special to let them know how much you mean, not a $5.00 card from Hallmark that some other person wrote...oh yeah baby, that’s romantic.

And men, before you give your someone special chocolate you better be sure she is not busting her ass to lose the holiday ham she put on. Give her a certificate to the spa, now that is special.  What I am trying to say is don’t be cliché, do something different if you want to show that special someone how much you love them. Pack a picnic and go for a hike. Write a love letter to them. Oh A fun thing to do is fill the bedroom with hundreds of balloons and have a ball with your loved one popping them, it will make you feel like a kid again. Put a love note in their cereal box, Hell, men… clean the house!

Think of something outside the box, Show that certain someone in your life you are willing to go the extra mile just for them.

Me? I always cook the Gourmet God a truly in incredible meal, because that’s what I do, dine by the fire (weather depending of course) polish off some great red wine and have a relaxing wonderful evening with each other.

And if you don’t have a certain special in your life, you have YOU! You are special, do something for YOU. Go to a movie, take a walk on the beach or in a park, go to the spa, get away for the weekend, but whatever you do, don’t forget to spoil yourself! Aren’t you worth it?

Happy Valentine’s Day
The Bermuda Gourmet Goddess

DID YOU KNOW?
Alfredo di Lelio lovingly invented a dish for his wife in his restaurant in 1914. The dish became famous as Fettuccine Alfredo.

What are cooking your sweetheart for Valentines ….Other than reservations!

Mango Citrus Roasted Cornish Game Hens

We will start with the hens!
2) Cornish Games Hens
Salt / Pepper
1/4 C Olive Oil
Blue Ginger Mango Citrus sauce (or any mango citrus glaze)

Remove the hens from wrapping and the “goodies” inside, rinse and pat dry. Cut the hen from the underside (down the back) and lay flat out. Salt and pepper both sides. In a large skillet on high heat add 1/4 C of Olive Oil and place hens in breast side down, place a foil wrapped brick on top and sear for about 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown. Turnover and glaze with sauce. Place in a 400° preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, while basting with sauce every 5 minutes (it is so worth it!!)

Cauliflower two ways
2 large heads of cauliflower
1/4 C Chicken Stock
2 tbsp Olive Oil

Cut 1 1/2 and place in boiling water for 20 minutes or until very very tender. Drain and place back into the same pan and let the heat remove any remaining water (about 2 to 3 minutes). You can either at this point use a hand held blender or place in a blend, 1/4 C Chicken stock and blend until smooth.
While the cauliflower is cooking on the stove, chop the remaining into small pieces, lay out on foil over baking sheet toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder and roast on 400 for about 15 minutes or until the edges are turning golden brown. Now fold in the roasted to the blended cauliflower and taste...salt? Pepper? Or is ready to go? You’re the chef.

Lemon Herb Warm Potato “Salad”
2 lb new potatoes
¼ C chopped parsley
¼ C chopped Basil
¼ C julienned prosciutto
1 tbsp chopped chives
¼ C parmesan cheese
Zest on one lemon
Juice of one lemon
1/4 C Olive Oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Wash the potatoes and cut the larger ones so that they all cook evenly. Fill sauce pan with water and place potatoes in cover coming to a boil. Once potatoes are fork tender (17-20 minutes) drain. While potatoes are cooking chop the herbs, prosciutto, zest and juice the lemon. Once the potatoes have cooled to room temperature Add the zest and lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper, toss well, now add the herbs, prosciutto, cheese and toss again. Garnish with a couple of wedges of lemon.

Well my friends I know it has been some time since I have posted anything and I am sorry, but I was busy prepping for my 40th birthday, yes that is correct the Bermuda Gourmet Goddess has turned 40! Don’t feel bummed or sorry for me, I have been strangely looking forward to this, it is almost like a passage…You have made it to 40, now do something wild and crazy and finally for once do something you love. For me that is writing and cooking, if you haven’t noticed! Also for those who don’t know I am “this close” to finishing my first cookbook. My Poppy (grandfather) was the inspiration to writing my cook book. It simply comes from my family, from my heart and not to mention all the great flavors I gather from my travels or what people bring me back. (In hopes that I create something great and have them over to taste test it)

Now you may be over 40 or not there yet, but go out and do something that no would ever expect of you, do something for you, take time for you. I know this may sound selfish, but doing something for you could mean volunteering, maybe making soup for your sick friend, taking a friend to lunch to catch up, calling a loved one (yes, I owe some people calls, you know who you are ;) . Do anything that makes you HAPPY. Doing something for yourself has so many meanings; it is all up to you how you take advantage of the situation.

Now on with the food, yes that makes me happy 

THE Birthday Feast!

Piles of stone crabs (the picture shows only a small amount for most were eaten by then)

Uncle Marty’s stuffed jalapenos (damn those were good)


Uncle Dean’s Ribs with his own spice rub, I mean he evens grind’s the dried chilies, who does that now a day’s…other than me of course??


Mom’s Cosmo’s…yummy!

A Different Jalapeño Popper

2lbs of LARGE Jalapenos, sliced in half, but do not cut all the way through

1 8oz packages of cream cheese

2lbs of Chorizo, hotter the better

2 cloves garlic, pressed

2lbs bacon, thin sliced

After removing the ribs and seeds (USE GLOVES) set the jalapenos aside.

Over med heat, sauté the Chorizo and garlic for about 10 minutes; place cream cheese in a bowl and pour the hot chorizo over it to soften even a bit more, mix well. Once the mixture has cooled enough to touch stuff the jalapenos with the mixture, about 1 to 2 tablespoon per jalapeno, depending how large they are.

Once are all stuffed, wrap each jalapeno with a slice of bacon, secure with a toothpick and take to the grill and grill over med heat for 12 to 15 minutes or until the bacon is crisp.

Gourmet IT UP! Drizzle with your favorite BBQ sauce while grilling.

Mom’s Cosmo’s


4.0 c Vodka


1.5 cl Triple Sec


1.5 cl Lemon Chello


3.0 cl Cranberry Juice



Put all in martini shaker with lots of ice and shake it baby, strain into an icy martini glass, sit back and enjoy!!!


I sure hope you enjoy the Poppers and Cosmo's as much as I did!

Life is tasty, eat it up!

The Bermuda Gourmet Goddess