five on friday:: valentine style

we don't usually go out to dinner on valentine's day. we hate the crowds and it's too expensive.  we find it easier to go out another day of the week, like the 15th.  but that doesn't mean you can't still have a very nice celebration with the ones you love.  here are a few ideas.

1. make breakfast a little extra special

valentine's day is on a monday this year so chances are you and/or your spouse are going to work and the kids are going to school.  so what about making something a special for breakfast.  we usually have cereal or toast on most mornings.  but you might consider getting up a bit earlier and surprising them with a cool breakfast.  you can even prep some of it the night before.

basic crepes filled with cream cheese and strawberry jelly, bacon and trader joe's potato pancakes with applesauce and greek yogurt. coffee and orange juice.  crepes can be made the night before and reheated in the morning.  frozen potato pancakes and bacon can be cooked up in a few minutes.  you can also make heart shaped pancakes, waffles or french toast.  and for a sweet surprise make this meal for dinner.  that's always  a big hit at our house.

2. heart shaped food

here's what i made for dinner a few years ago, when we were still eating red meat.  but you could do this with chicken or turkey burgers.  i formed the patties into heart shapes, cut the bun with a heart shaped cookie cutter and made a heart with ketchup.  some oven fries and a salad complete the meal.  what about heart shaped grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup?

3.  appetizers for dinner

another big hit in our house.  lots of finger foods, cocktail plates and fun music.  most all of this was store bought (ok i made the veggie dip and toasted the bread); hummus and pita chips, chicken shu mai, bruschetta and french bread, shrimp and cocktail sauce, veggies and dip all from trader joes.  it's all in the presentation.  the kids had sparkling apple juice and we had wine.  it turned out to be a very casual and fun dinner.

4.  make your own pizza

premade dough, cheese and a variety of toppings equals an easy way to get dinner on the table.  i get my dough from trader joe's or the italian deli right by our house.  divide the package in two for the adults and three for the kids.  each person adds sauce and cheese and chooses their toppings.  for the kids have pepperoni, olives, ham and pineapple.  for the adults have goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, pear and gorgonzola cheese, or fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes and basil.  everyone gets their individual pizza and you don't spend all evening in the kitchen.  perfect for everyone.

 

this is a full size pizza.

5.  chocolate fondu

you have to have chocolate on valentine's day.  here i melted a bag of chocolate chips with a few drops of cooking oil to keep it smooth and silky.  then i placed it in the center of a tray and surrounded it with marshmallows, alphabet cookies, bit of brownies leftover from school, and fruit; strawberries and bananas.  we had ordered sushi for dinner this night so this was my "homemade" contribution.

another year i had made a nice dinner and picked these up for dessert from the bakery.

and the best part is that there was nothing leftover for the next day.

set your table with love

wether you are getting take out or making a meal at home you can set each person's place with something special.  red plates, a little candy, and a card.  i found these letter post it's in the $1 bin at michael's last year and bought one for each of the kids.  just a sweet little something.

whatever you choose to do for valentine's day, i hope it's filled with love.

happy weekend.