Valentine and Cupid

I am not really sure how Valentine's Day became such a popular celebration in the U.S. and now in parts of Europe, perhaps because of a touch of mystery surrounding its origins. Whatever the reason, the 14th of February has become a romantic day. People stop to exchange presents or give candy and flowers to those they care about.

Although there are a couple of versions of the origins of Valentine's Day, one version is that Valentine was a priest during the third century in Rome. The emperor of Rome did not want his soldiers to have wives and children to distract them from their duties and, consequently, decreed that his soldiers remain single. Valentine defied the emperor and performed marriages for young lovers in secret.

When the emperor discovered that Valentine had disobeyed him, the emperor put him to death. To honor the priest's bravery the priest was made a saint and the people set aside one day a year, namely, a day in February, in his memory.

Through the years, Cupid gained a place in the events of Valentine¹s Day. Cupid also originates from the Roman times. He is a mischievous, winged child, who shoots arrows which pierce the hearts of his victims thus causing them to fall in love.

When you celebrate Valentine's Day this week, why not accompany your gift, candy or flowers with a special meal and try some of our recipes this week. Serve the meal on heart-shaped place mats which you can cut out of colored paper. Set a bouquet of flowers on the table, light a couple of red candles and have a good bottle of wine with the meal. You can then continue the festivities with Mardis Gras andthe recipes from Chef, Richard Lipton, which follow.

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