Sure, you might associate Valentine's Day with pastel conversation hearts, enormous red boxes of candy and trite mass produced cards, but it's 2016.
Make Valentine's day a little edgier and a lot more savory by putting some heart into it. Literally.
Eating heart isn't just traditional in many parts of the world, it's also a source of nutrients (beef heart has essential amino acids, and chicken heart is loaded with iron and zinc). Plus it can be delicious (the taste is even milder than liver) and incredibly versatile.
Serving heart is a good way to let your date know you have a good sense of humor. And if you're celebrating solo, no one can judge you for sopping up those savory juices in a particularly primal way.
1. Japanese yakitori
Chicken hearts get the charcoal grill treatment at traditional yakitori (skewered chicken) stands, where you can also try liver, gizzards and even rare chicken meat. Tokyo's best yakitori stands are found underneath the elevated train tracks.
2. Peruvian anticuchos
These Peruvian skewers render beef heart charred and crispy on the outside and juicy within. It's the perfect appetizer or, if you eat enough, a full meal.
A photo posted by Punta Mandala (@puntamandala) on Jan 30, 2016 at 8:01pm PST
3. Artichoke heart
If you're vegetarian or vegan, this is one of your heart dinner options. Grill them, pan-fry them or simply add a jar to salad for your heart infusion this Valentine's Day.
A photo posted by Il Mercato (@ilmercatohfx) on Feb 2, 2016 at 10:32am PST
4. Stuffed heart
Treat this like a flank steak and stuff it with savory mushrooms and spinach. Forget a heart full of love, this is a heart full of the stuff you really want on Valentine's Day.
5. Heart burger
This burger, compliments of Chichi Wang and Serious Eats, grinds scraps of heart into beef with a high fat content to ensure a juicy patty. The taste is mild and the look is familiar, perfect for an offal newbie.
6. Heart tartare
Incanto Chef Chris Cosentino tells The Daily Meal, "I really like the flavor and texture of heart. I find it to have a really deep and complex flavor that lends itself to many different cooking techniques."
A photo posted by @fionaeats on Mar 19, 2014 at 8:46pm PDT
7. Stewed heart
Stew beef heart with either Moroccan spices or your favorite beef stew aromatics until the meat is tender and irresistible.
Go ahead...eat your heart out.