Cheesy Valentine's recipe

Soft, creamy and grassy Neufchatel cheese from Haute Normandie 

This is hardly a recipe, it's so simple. But it's a great starter for a romantic meal, something that even non-cooking men (or women) can do. Serve it with a green salad and it becomes a main dish.
Neufchatel* cheese in it's classic heart shape is one of France's oldest cheeses.  It's a Camembert-like soft cheese from Normandy designed to woo, legend has it, the British soldiers during the 100 year war.

Heart to heart recipe

1 Neufchatel cheese heart
1 jar of artichoke hearts in oil (artichokes are reputed to be an aphrodisiac)
1/2 clove of garlic
1/4 glass of white wine

For dipping:
Sour dough, cut into fingers
Pitta bread, cut into strips
or celery heart sticks....
Carrot batons
Red pepper strips


Slash an opening in the middle of the heart and stick a slither of garlic and the white wine in the cheese.
Place it in a baking dish and surround by the artichoke hearts.
Place it in a medium oven for 5 to 10 minutes or so.
Serve with the suggestions above for dipping into the creamy melted interior of the cheese. The artichoke hearts also contrast nicely with the cheese. Serve with a white wine such as a Riesling, perhaps a Gerwurtraminer.
For dessert why don't you make Coeur à la crème? Another easy recipe.

*(Waitrose stocks these I believe.)