Valentine's Day, as you probably are well aware, is on Sunday, which means there are a myriad of love-filled eating events to choose from: breakfast in bed, a long, lazy lunch, or the traditional romantic dinner. Personally, I love Valentine's Day because it's the perfect excuse to try a fabulous new restaurant. But this year my husband and I are going to switch it up.
In an effort to be more cost conscious and do something a little different, we're planning to cook (or I should say, I'm planning to cook) something simple but special at home and then go out for cocktails and dessert. I'm thinking of making Shrimp Pot Pie With Fennel, Chicken Enchiladas, or Cashew Curry. (What do you think?)
Here's my little extra surprise: I am going to attempt to make this adorable egg-in-a-heart-hole for breakfast. All you need is a heart-shaped cookie cutter, bread, eggs, butter/cooking spray, and a frying pan. It's such cute and simple way to say Happy Valentine's Day to your significant other, your roommate, your kids… So maybe I'll scrap the whole dinner plan, order pizza, and spend my time and energy on an unforgettable breakfast. But what about you…
What's your ideal Valentine's Day meal plan?
- You go out to eat
- You cook a romantic dinner
- Your partner cooks a romantic dinner
- You make a great breakfast and order takeout for dinner
- Or something else entirely?
photo: pinchmysalt.com
Usually my husband and I go out on a day other than Valentine’s Day to stay away from the crowd, but this year we are staying home and HE is making dinner for me and our son, making it a family Valentine. He will be preparing venison filets wrapped in bacon, steamed broccoli, and baked potatoes. I can’t wait!
Last year, I started the tradition of cooking a fantastic meal for my fiancee. I spend a fair amount of money on groceries, but it’s still less than we’d spend if we went out, and we can eat our meal in private. This year I’m making steak (something I don’t normally cook) stuffed potatoes (again, I don’t normally make something like that) wine or a cocktail, some Pellegrino, and individual chocolate souffles. Also, I’m making a light lunch of “afternoon tea” and serving light finger sandwiches, scones, and tea.
My Valentine’s Day is different every year. Keeping it interesting is good for us. My other half and I will be doing a little wine tasting with chocolate that day and being cost conscious will be also be making dinner at home. To start the week I have surprised him with fresh flowers and a note and will continue that until valentines day. The trick is doing it while he is not around. Flowers at his office one day and then home the next.
For dinner we have decided on making (we enjoy cooking together, so this should be fun) bacon wrapped filet mingnon (got it for under $15 at a local fresh market), lobster tail, scallops, stuffed baked potato and some fresh veggies. After dinner we plan to have a relaxing day at home. I am looking forward to it!
I’ve always loved going out to eat for Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, we love an expensive V-day meal: Filet mignon at the Palm, for instance. Or a fancy Italian place. Now that we need a babysitter to eat out, we’ll be dining out on a day other than the 14th, because we hate to monopolize our babysitter on a holiday. I cook throughout the year — sometimes it’s nice to be waited on!