Fresh fruit always seems to be romantic. The more exotic the fruit the more exotic the response, theoretically. Exotic combinations of fruits and other food items can be very romantic. For example, ripe pears with blue cheese, curried mango slices, chocolate cups with pears poached in wine or champagne and fruit may entice an appetite.

Try this little recipe on your special one this Valentine's Day from The Cook & Kitchen Staff at Recipe-a-day. Com.

Using a melon baller, shape individual balls as cut from cantaloupe and honeydew and set aside, or chunk if no special utensil is available.

In a large glass bowl combine sugar with lime and lemon juices, liqueur (optional, ) and lime peel. Stir well to dissolve sugar. Add the cantaloupe and honeydew balls or chunks, strawberries and grapes and gently toss to saturate with juice mixture. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1-hour prior to serving. Stir at least once to assure flavor is evenly distributed while refrigerating. Serve individual portions in a melon basket or glass bowl.

Tropical Variation: Substitute kiwi slices, fresh pineapple chunks, papaya slices or mango cubes for melons. Add a pinch of grated fresh ginger or ground ginger to the juice marinade. A dash of coconut extract adds fresh flavor. Serve in a hollowed-out pineapple half.

Cooking Staff Tip: To form a melon basket use a non-toxic marker or tip of a knife to draw a zigzag pattern around a ripe melon. Cut deeply into the flesh of the melon with a sharp paring knife along the zigzag pattern and carefully separate halves. Remove seeds and prepare melon balls or leave as is to be utilized for a serving bowl. If you prepare melon balls, make sure to leave about a 1/4 inch depth of fruit on the rind while you scoop out the remainder of the melon. Honeydew produces a firmer fruit bowl than the thin-skinned cantaloupe. Chill fruit baskets, covered and fill just prior to serving.