Everyone needs a friend like Sally Fiore. Last month, Sally, a Kingston artist and photographer gave me a batch of Christmas cookies to die for. Naturally, I begged for the recipe.  Sally not only gave me the cookie recipe, but arrived at my home with all of the ingredients in a recycled container with the recipe artfully attached. When was the last time someone did that for you? If you know Sally, actions like this are a daily occurrence in her life. Sally's life is centered around love and kindness. Not t o mention, Sally is a giver of time, energy and emotion which she captures so beautifully in her work as a photographer.

"My approach to my artwork and photography is guided by connecting with the viewer through the subject, keeping it simple, capturing rustic charm and authenticity, looking beyond the obvious for deeper meaning, and making the most of natural elements which in turn provides the viewer with a soulful experience. Composition and final presentation are also important to me" Fiore adds.

Fiore's artistic philosophy resonates with individuals and businesses alike. Her work has been showcased at the Ellison Center in Duxbury, the James Library and Center for the Arts in Norwell, as well as the North River Arts Juried Art Show just to name a few. Sally's portfolio has been featured in South Shore Living magazine and Life Images magazine. Corporate collections can be seen at Hingham Institution for Savings, C&T Realty Professional Building and the Larches Inn in Carver. Sally's work can be purchased locally at the Kusmin Gallery in Plymouth, the Fernwood Gallery in Norwell, Favorite Things Studio in Pembroke, Lizzy Tish in Plymouth's Village Landing, the Crane Brook Gallery in Carver and Joye in Scituate Harbor.

To see a complete collection of Sally's work, do yourself a favor and visit her at her new studio and gallery at Porcello Gallery on 839 Webster Street in Marshfield. Here, you will enjoy Sally's warm smile, radiant presence and the  inspiring photography that makes her a local favorite.

A woman of many talents, Sally also applies her artistic principles in the kitchen with devine results. Growing up on the South Shore as one of ten children, Sally fondly recalls home cooked meals seven days a week. Food on the dinner table was the connecting force that allowed Sally to get to know her parents and many siblings. "As an adult looking back, I realize how important it was, how much it connected us as a family and how much trouble it kept me out of as a teenager."

Today, cooking is a way for Sally to carry on that grounding connection with her husband Paul. Sally also uses cooking to express her affection for friends and family. "Cooking is like an edible Hallmark card but a better value because it nourishes the body and soul in addition to saying I'm interested in you, I missed you, or I'm here for you."

Sally's recipe for a Fireside Dinner For Two is perfect for Valentine's Day, or any day you want to add a little adventure to your cooking. This easy yet sophisticated recipe is sure to please someone special in your life. The meal reflects Sally's art which is simple in approach, yet sophisticated in spirit.

Romantic Fireside Dinner for Two

You will need:

• a wood burning fireplace
• a cast iron grill pan ( can be purchased at Williams Sonoma or, more
  reasonably at some camp or kitchen supply stores )
• a well-insulated oven mitt
• a good trivet placed on the hearth
• 3 TBSP Olive Oil or Grapeseed Oil
• 1 recipe Bearnaise sauce (can be made from scratch or Knorr makes a decent packaged sauce mix)
• 2 filet mignon
• 8-10 fresh asparagas stalks
• 2 medium potatoes, washed and cut into 1/2" thick rounds
• salt, pepper, garlic powder, mixed dried herbs
• rosemary- (fresh is best, but dried will do)
• 2 TBSP Butter

And a little bit of sex appeal, but if you don’t have it already- no worries: you will by the time you’ve served this meal!

Start your wood fire app. an hour and a half ahead. Continue to add wood for the first 40 minutes or so to make fire very hot, then allow to burn down to red-hot coals.While the fire is burning....

Set place settings either on the floor fireside, or on a coffee table next to the fireplace. (hint: a rose or a mini box of your partner’s favorite chocolates is a festive garnish for the plate)

In the kitchen:

Salt, pepper and garlic the filets to taste, place on platter

Prepare bearnaise sauce and set aside.

Steam potatoes until just tender but still intact, season with salt, pepper,
garlic, herbs & rosemary; dab with butter & set aside on platter with filets

Trim asparagas stalks, discarding app. 2-3" from the bottom.

Blanche asparagas, season with salt & pepper, dab with butter sparingly and set aside on same platter

Coat cast iron grill pan generously with oil

All of the above can be done ahead and ready to go on the platter before your guest joins you, then enjoy some wine and an easy appetizer together by the fire while it’s burning down... (Some Hints: shrimp cocktail or brie and apple slices)