Ways to Woo Your Valentine

WAYS TO WOO

YOUR VALENTINE

By KRISTINA HACKER

You don’t need to be named Casanova to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day for the object of your a ections. e best way to show someone you care on the most romantic day of the year is to spend time with them doing something you both enjoy. ere is a plethora of places in the 209 to spark the ame of love, below are a just a few ideas to get you started. ●

ROMANTIC HIKE

The 209 has some of the most majestic landscapes in the country — the perfect backdrop for a romantic hike for two.

Yosemite National Park — A national icon of natural beauty, Yosemite has awe-inspiring cli s and dramatic waterfalls. The park is open year-round and you do not need reservations for a day trip. The park entrance fee is $35 per car. Visit nps.gov/yose/ for park information, including road closures and COVID-19 protocols before planning your trip.

Calaveras Big Trees — This state park near Arnold in Calaveras County features two groves of giant sequoia trees — the largest trees in the world. This park is open year-round with both easy and more advance hikes. For up-to-date park information, visit parks.ca.gov/bigtrees

Merced River Trail — This is a moderate 6-mile round-trip excursion that’s mostly at with some rocky portions that takes you down the Merced River’s lower gorge from the Railroad Flat Campground at the 1,050-foot level north of Mariposa reached by taking Highway 140 to Briceburg. Much of the hike is along the long-abandoned Yosemite Valley Railroad that ensures a gentle grade for walking. The river below the trail often echoes o the walls of the canyon providing a gentle roar punctured occasionally by the chirping of birds.

MOVIE NIGHT

If the outdoors is really not your thing, try planning a romantic movie night. Pop some popcorn, grab a few boxes of candy and indulge in one of these lms sure to bring all the feels:

“Casablanca” (1942) — Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid, “Casablanca” is lmed and set during World War II. It focuses on an American expatriate (Bogart) who must choose between his love for a woman (Bergman) or helping her and her husband (Henreid), a Czech resistance leader, escape from the Vichy-controlled city of Casablanca to continue his ght against the Germans.

“The Notebook” (2004) — Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, “The Notebook” is the story of a poor, yet passionate young man who falls in love with a rich young woman in the 1940s, giving her a sense of freedom, but they are soon separated because of their social di erences.

“Pride & Prejudice” (2005) — Based on Jane Austen’s 1813 novel of the same name, the lm features ve sisters from an English family of landed gentry as they deal with issues of marriage, morality and misconceptions. Keira Knightley stars in the lead role of Elizabeth Bennet, while Matthew Macfadyen plays her romantic interest Mr. Darcy.

“When Harry Met Sally” (1989) — Starring Billy Crystal as Harry and Meg Ryan as Sally, the story follows the title characters from the time they meet in Chicago just before sharing a crosscountry drive, through 12 years of chance encounters in New York City.

“Titanic” (1997) — Incorporating both historical and ctionalized aspects, the lm is based on accounts of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as members of di erent social classes who fall in love aboard the ship during its ill-fated maiden voyage.

“Roman Holiday” (1953) — This lm stars Audrey Hepburn as a princess out to see Rome on her own and Gregory Peck as a reporter.

“The Princess Bride” (1987)

— Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, and Christopher Guest, “The Princess Bride” tells the story of a farmhand named Westley, accompanied by companions befriended along the way, who must rescue his true love Princess Buttercup from the odious Prince Humperdinck. The lm preserves the novel’s meta ctional narrative style by presenting the story as a book being read by a grandfather (Peter Falk) to his sick grandson (Fred Savage).

FINE DINING

A romantic dinner for two is a great way to spend quality time with our valentine. Try out these Best of 209 winners in the Romantic Restaurant category for your Valentine’s Day reservation:

Redwood Café, Modesto — With its trellises of green, leafy vines hanging romantically about the patio area and its chic dining room, a menu full of enticing dishes and a 300-label wine list, the Redwood Café is the ultimate experience in casual ne dining in Modesto. Redwood Café is located at 4342 Dale Rd., Modesto. For more information, visit www.redwoodcafemodesto.com or call (209) 5459248.

Galletto Ristorante, Modesto — Galletto Ristorante resides in a 1930s-era art deco former Wells Fargo Bank located in the heart of Modesto’s renovated downtown. O ering a rustic Northern Italian menu specializing in inspired cuisine, they provide a variety of private dining settings, and an unparalleled wine selection. Galletto Ristorante is a truly unique experience. Galletto Ristorante is located at 1101 J St., Modesto. For more information, visit www.galletto.biz or call (209) 523-4500.

Verona’s Cucina Italiana, Modesto — Verona’s serves up authentic Northern Italian dishes, including pastas, steaks and antipasto using only the freshest of ingredients. Verona’s is located at 1700 McHenry Ave. #46, Modesto. For more information, visit www.veronacucina.net or call (209) 549-8876.

DAY TRIP

Spend the day at the rst ever Love Murphys Valentine Wine and Dine Soiree — From the producers of the Murphys Witch Walk, the Love Murphys Valentine Wine and Dine Soiree encourages guests and locals alike to walk and explore the historic Main Street and its wine tasting rooms, restaurants, pubs and ne dining establishments at their own pace and discover what makes the town so special that it has been crowned the Queen of the Sierra. Enjoy romantic meals, aphrodisiacal wines, passionately plush accommodations, and an afternoon of shopping at some of the most unique shops in the Motherlode for that special Valentine’s Day memento of heartfelt signi cance for that magni cent suitor who continually makes your heart skip a beat. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 5 in downtown Murphys. For more information, visit Facebook. com/lovemurphys or Instagram.com/

lovemurphys.

COOKED WITH LOVE

PESTO CAPRESE VEAL CUTLETS

PREP TIME

15 minutes

COOK TIME

15 minutes

SERVINGS

6

Sometimes the best way to show you care is to put your heart and soul into making the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner or treat yourself. Here are a few romantic recipes to get you started 1 pound veal cutlets

(about 2 ounces each)

1 pint grape tomatoes,

chopped

4 tablespoons prepared

pesto

½ cup fl our 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons whole or

2% milk kosher salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste

½ cup seasoned

breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons butter,

divided

6 ounces regular or part-

skim fresh mozzarella,

sliced into ¼ -inch slices 3 tablespoons toasted

pine nuts (optional) DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 F. Pound veal cutlets to 1/8-inch thickness.

In small bowl, toss tomatoes and pesto to mix well; set aside.

Place our in shallow dish. In second shallow dish, beat eggs, milk, salt and pepper, to taste, until blended. Place breadcrumbs in third shallow dish. Dip each cutlet into our then egg mixture then breadcrumbs to coat both sides.

In large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon butter until hot. Place half of cutlets in skillet; cook 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and veal is cooked through, turning once. Remove cutlets; place on baking sheet. Wipe out skillet with paper towel. Repeat with remaining butter and cutlets. Place one slice cheese on each cutlet. Bake 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted. Transfer cutlets to plate and evenly top with tomato mixture; sprinkle with pine nuts, if desired.

PECAN-CRUSTED PORK TENDERLOIN

TOTAL TIME

35 minutes

1 pork tenderloin (about

1 1/2 pounds) salt, to taste pepper, to taste

½ cup brown sugar,

divided

2 tablespoons soy sauce,

divided

2 teaspoons minced garlic ½ cup pecan pieces ¼ cup pineapple juice 2 tablespoons Dijon

mustard SERVINGS

6

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 F and lightly grease large baking dish. Season pork tenderloin with salt and pepper, to taste; set aside. In small bowl, stir 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and minced garlic. Spread mixture over pork. Press pecan pieces into brown sugar mixture on pork. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine remaining brown sugar, remaining soy sauce, pineapple juice and Dijon mustard. Bring mixture to boil; reduce to simmer 3-5 minutes then remove from heat.

Slice pork, spoon sauce over top and serve.

DREAMY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

SERVINGS

4-8

8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate, chopped, plus chocolate shavings (optional)

40 large marshmallows 2 ¼ cups heavy cream,

divided DIRECTIONS

In large bowl, combine chopped chocolate, marshmallows and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Microwave 2 minutes on high, or until marshmallows are melted. Let mixture cool 1 hour.

Using mixer, whip 1 3/4 cups heavy cream until soft peaks form. Reserve and refrigerate 1/2 cup whipped cream for topping. In cooled chocolate mixture, fold in 2 cups whipped cream until combined. Add remaining whipped cream and mix until combined.

Spoon mousse into ramekins. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

To serve, top with 1/2 cup reserved whipped cream and sprinkle with shaved chocolate, if desired.