IMG_5812As much as I love receiving flowers, mushy cards and going out to dinner, it’s far more meaningful to me when those things are unexpected. Surprise me and you’ll always tug at my heart.

There’s lots of ways to say “I love you” but few say it better than a home cooked meal.

It doesn’t even matter if you’re a klutz in the kitchen. What matters is that you are choosing to make and share a meal with a special someone or for those you love. You are devoting your time, focused with loving energy, to create something real, something memorable, an experience you can share.

It’s a reason to enter the local gourmet shop and taste a variety of exotic cheeses, a delectible dipping sauce or condiment. You can treat your senses to fresh rosemary, dill, parsley or sage; buy the freshest filet of fish or meat, or simply the best, crustiest, ridiculously long baguette.

You can enter the wine store and buy that special bottle; the bakery and bring home a delicate dessert – one you wouldn’t attempt to make yourself – beautifully wrapped in curly ribbon around a pristine white box. It’s an adventure of shapes, colors, textures and aromas.

Making a meal deserves to be so much more than a simple act of mundane necessity. When undertaken as the art of celebration, meal preparation bestows its true gifts – an experience that nourishes both the body and the spirit and invites us to partake in an ancient ritual that feeds our human need to connect.

Loving intent becomes the secret ingredient – the elixir if you will – that transforms a simple meal into a sacred experience. It’s the gift you give yourself and all those you love.

If you want some suggestions, I have a whole course and 15 crazy good dishes to choose from. Each preparation is loving guided by me, every step of the way. Click right here and take a look. It’s rather unique with 3 ways to learn each recipe. (Just in case you missed it)

Or if you want a simple appetizer for a special dinner you’re planning for this Valentine’s Day or any occasion when WOW is the reaction you want to get..get this easy to make but hard to surpass recipe. It’s my winter version of a summertime classic. The Caprese Salad. (A bite or bit of reprieve from the winter blahs.)

May you love today, tomorrow and every day.

xo Silvia

 

Now tell me how you connect, how you show your love in the comments below.

And if you want to send me some love…love me…oops…I mean like me on Facebook

 

 

 

10 Comments
  1. Nathalie February 13, 2014 at 6:08 pm - Reply

    Ah, Silvia, the salad looks amazing! I’ll definitely give it a try and tell my son it’s one of your recipes. He loves them! :-) I definitely also show love by making something special to eat or drink – right now a super healthy version of caramel apples are my kids’ favorite treat.

  2. Lacy February 13, 2014 at 10:52 pm - Reply

    I’m making peanut butter cheesecake for my hubby, and sugar cookies for my daughter to take to her class party!

    • chefsilvia February 14, 2014 at 2:48 am - Reply

      Sounds like you’re cooking up a lot of love Lacy.

  3. Allison Carr February 14, 2014 at 2:40 am - Reply

    Yes! Cooking is my favorite way to show love. Getting a few ingredients I’m excited about and then concocting something special. Now I’m inspired!

    • chefsilvia February 14, 2014 at 2:50 am - Reply

      I’m so glad Allison! It feels so satisfying and there’s instant gratification.

  4. Marsha from YesYesMarsha.com February 14, 2014 at 8:34 pm - Reply

    Silvia, I loved this. I am such a newbie cook, that it wouldn’t occur to me to have it be an act of love – but this post has shown me how it might be even MORE so because of that!

  5. Elise February 15, 2014 at 7:52 pm - Reply

    Silvia,
    I love the way you expressed this message. I am a huge believer that food IS love. I show my love everyday for my family with simple, not fancy, but home cooked meals. I also think another way to express our love is to help our children cultivate a healthy relationship with food. It’s a gift that we can give them that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.
    Thanks for always sharing your beautiful wisdom.
    xo

  6. Melissa Burkheimer February 21, 2014 at 6:30 pm - Reply

    Love the idea for making food as an act of love. Thanks as always for sharing your kitchen smarts.

  7. Artist Desiree East February 22, 2014 at 8:50 pm - Reply

    I love this…my husband and I skipped the whole restaurant thing for Valentine’s Day and ending up going on a beautiful hike in Montecito – and I agree with you in that cooking a special meal is so much more meaningful and FUN! xo

  8. Court February 24, 2014 at 6:59 pm - Reply

    I love how you called it an adventure! Cooking always has been for me. Did I ever tell you my father was a chef? He ran a deliciously great catering company for many years. Whenever I travel, my favorite kind of shopping to do is to the markets and groceries. I feel like it says so much about a culture. To this day, my favorite kind of shopping and experience involves food. It can be simple, it can be beautiful, it is an adventure for sure. Thanks so much for sharing your love of the good things in life!

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