Saturday, February 12, 2011

Valentine's Day!

In honor of the holiday all about love and romance, I wanted to post some of the adorable Valentine's Day treat ideas I've seen online recently.

Do you have your holiday all planned out, are you leaving that up to your significant other, or are you just skipping it all together this year?

Maybe some of these ideas will inspire you!

I love reds and pinks, and I have to admit that I am a fan of Valentine's Day being filled with over-the-top hearts and other sometimes kitschy decor. Don't get me wrong, I am also a fan of elegant and understated romance -- I just don't think Valentine's Day has to be formal to be fun! Oh, and it must include chocolate in one form or another!

Since Valentine's Day is on Monday this year, we've decided to stretch it into a Valentine's long weekend. Dylan surprised me this morning by going to the grocery store before I woke up to stock up on some of our favorite treats. We've just been lounging around the house together, enjoying a day of leisure. Tonight I'm making us lobster tails with drawn butter and Meyer lemons, butternut squash risotto and roasted Brussels sprouts with truffle oil. I'm still working on what I want to make for dessert.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some of my favorite treat ideas that I found on Martha Stewart this week!

This has some of my must-have Valentine's Day elements: Chocolate and hearts!

To make the heart cut-out marshmallows, simply cut a marshmallow in half horizontally (so you have two circles), then grease a small aspic cutter with vegetable oil to punch out your shape! If you don't have any tiny cutters, here are some cute ones on Amazon:


You could also use those for a smaller version of the beet hearts below!

I wasn't planning a salad course, but one day I am going to do this because I love beets. They just thinly sliced cooked beets using a mandoline, then used a small cookie cutter to make the hearts! That Martha Stewart -- so clever!


Another clever and couldn't be more simple heart-shaped treat? Calimyrna figs look like hearts when you cut them in half!


Last, but not least, some delectable dessert ideas! I'll include a link to the recipes under each picture.

Chocolate Champagne Truffles

Spicy Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Truffle Brownies

Chocolate Eclair Hearts

I hope all you lovebirds have a wonderfully fun and romantic Valentine's Day! Let me know what you have planned!