Dressed-to-Impress Valentine's Day Ideas

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  Chocolate-Cherry Cheesecake Tart
  

  The creamy filling of this black forest-inspired tart is adorned with heart-shaped swirls of cherry jam and cradled in a chocolate-cookie crust.

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  Duck Breasts with Saba and Grapes

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  Duck Breasts with Saba and Grapes
  

  Plump purple grapes and saba, a syrup made from pressed wine grapes, lend a sweet note to this sauce, which is draped over crisp-skinned seared duck breasts.

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  Lobster with Sauternes and Curry

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  Lobster with Sauternes and Curry

  This poached lobster is served in a rich reduction sauce of lobster stock, Cognac and Sauternes, mild curry powder, and cream.

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  Bittersweet Chocolate Tart with Salted Caramelized Pistachios

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  Bittersweet Chocolate Tart with Salted Caramelized Pistachios
  

  If love is bittersweet, then this tart is love itself: a crisp shell filled with silky-smooth bittersweet chocolate ganache, topped with a crunchy salty-sweet pistachio brittle.

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  French Macarons

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  French Macarons
  

  Indescribable. Cookie royalty. Unlike American macaroons dense with coconut, pillowy soft, ethereal, ever-so-slightly chewy yet melt-in-your mouth French almond macarons are a coveted Valentine's day gift you can really make yourself.

   

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  Devil's Food Cake Verrine

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  Devil's Food Cake Verrine
  

  Get a little bit naughty with this deconstructed take on Devil's Food Cake: dense chocolate cake layered with creamy chocolate mousse and topped with a rich chocolate sauce and crunchy, salty cocoa nib streusel.

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  Chicken Pot Pie in a Potato Bowl

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  Chicken Pot Pie in a Potato Bowl
  

  In this dressed-up riff on the classic pot pie, a "bowl" of buttery whipped potatoes replaces the traditional pastry crust, while the stew gets sophisticated flavor from fennel and exotic mushrooms.

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  Oysters on the Half Shell with Verjus Mignonette

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  Oysters on the Half Shell with Verjus Mignonette

  Legendary for their aphrodisiac powers, oysters are the perfect starter for a romantic dinner. Here they're dressed in a simple sauce of cracked peppercorns and shallots in sweet-tart verjus.

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  Three-Cheese Soufflé

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  Three-Cheese Soufflé
  

  For a rich main course that won't weigh you down, a savory soufflé is the perfect choice. It's less temperamental than you might think and makes a stunning presentation hot out of the oven.
  

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  Truffled Game Hens with Prosciutto

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  Truffled Game Hens with Prosciutto

  A whole game hen makes an impressive main course, and this recipe ups the luxe factor with a stuffing of wild mushrooms, truffle oil and prosciutto slipped under the skin before roasting.

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