Valentine's Day is a little less than a month away, although it isn't widely celebrated in Greece (florists and candy shops are the main proponents). In my little mountain village, the sentiment is understood, but we rarely do anything about it on one special day. So, I sat down with a group of friends over coffee and paximathakia (twice baked cookies perfect for dunking) and we talked about romantic foods in general - to see if we could agree on which foods were most romantic.

We agreed that the food would taste wonderful and the occasion would be romantic, but we tried to stay away from specifics like creamy, cheesy, spicy, sweet, etc., because it seemed that everyone had a different idea. So, our mixed age, mixed gender group came up with four choices.

These are our choices, and you're invited to vote for your favorite.

1. Small, bite-sized pieces of almost anything (click to vote for this choice)
   With great descriptions of snuggle time, eating in front of a fireplace or on a beach or feeding each other, sharing small pieces of food away from the table was a favorite choice, and there was no distinction made about the type of food. Whether it was candy, finger food, or a big dish cut up into small pieces that could be eaten with fingers, the idea was that delicious tastes could be shared in an intimate way.
   
   
2. Smells wonderful and excites the senses (click to vote for this choice)
   Everyone in the group could very quickly and easily name at least three dishes that smelled wonderful and excited the senses. Since romance and the senses are intertwined, fabulous aromas got a unanimous vote.
   
   
3. Looks wonderful and begs to be eaten, before or after (click to vote for this choice)
   There was a lot of discussion about presentation, and it was agreed that even the simplest or most everyday foods, carefully presented, could be very romantic. (The photo above is a simple halvas semolina pudding recipe, cut in a heart shape and served with a raisin dessert sauce.)
   
   
4. Anything homemade - the thought and effort are as romantic as it gets (click to vote for this choice)
   A homemade dish or meal got high points from the whole group, but especially the younger members. Their lives seem to be so busy and hectic, and they appreciated the time and trouble involved in creating a special dish or meal for a romantic occasion.

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Suggested Reading:

• Ancient Greek Aphrodisiacs
• Favorite Greek Finger Foods
• Greek Candy Recipes
• Menu for a Romantic Grilled Vegetarian Dinner for Two
• Quince: The Fruit of Love

_{Photo ©2009 N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

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This recipe for Stuffed Pork Shoulder Roast can be cooked two ways (the recipe gives both): one for a pretty normal 2 1/2-hour cooking time at 350°, and the other is a slow 10 to 12 hour process. With limited time, the shorter method is the obvious choice, but I actually prefer the all-day process because the meat is more tender and I can make crackling... always a family favorite, especially in winter!

The recipe calls for a boned shoulder roast, a fabulous rub made with mustard, garlic, and seasonings, and finger-sized pieces of a sharp cheese rolled up in the center. Pork shoulder (σπάλα χοιρινή, spala hoirini, say: SPAH-lah hee-ree-NEE) is an inexpensive cut, and the recipe serves 8 to 10 people. It can be served hot from the oven, or cold for quick meals, sandwiches, and picnics.

A note about the long cooking method: The meat is seared at the beginning to seal the meat and crisp the top layer of fat and rind, then the heat is lowered and it cooks all day, with a couple of interruptions for basting with pan juices. The only problem is that, around hour 5, the fabulous smell permeates every corner of the house and, if you're like me, you may find yourself stalking the stove!

Recipe for Pork Shoulder Roast Stuffed with Cheese

_{Photo ©2009 N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

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Quince is known to Greeks as "the fruit of love." The shape and color of the raw fruit look like a cross between an apple and a pear, but the similarity ends there. Raw quince have an astringent taste, but just sweeten and cook, and the magic begins.

This recipe for Baked Quince creates a dessert as colorful as it is delicious, with few ingredients. Sugar, cloves, and cinnamon add to the taste and, when baked, the quince turns a fabulous shade of red. Serve alone with its sauce, or top with whipped cream or yogurt.

_{Photo ©2009 N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

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Tzatziki, a delicious and versatile combination of thick yogurt, cucumber, and garlic topped this week's list of readers' 20 favorite Greek recipes. Running a close second, classic moussaka (photo), a layered dish of eggplant, meat sauce, and cheese, topped with a bechamel sauce. It takes time and space to make, but the results are definitely worth it!

Check out the complete list as well as favorites from the past.

Readers' favorite non-recipe of the week was How to Strain Yogurt, an easy technique using commercial yogurt to create the thick texture used in Greek cooking.

_{Photo © Jim Stanfield}

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