Press Play and Enjoy the Music As you
Read This Post. :)
According to Wilkipedia, Valentines Day was named after two early Christian martyrs whose names were Valentine.
It wasn't until Chaucer linked Saint Valentines day to romantic love in the 1300's, that people began to to think of Valentines Day as a day for lovers or intimate love.
In 1381 Chaucer composed a poem in honor of the engagement between England's Richard II and Anne of Bohemia. As was the poetic tradition, Chaucer associated the occasion with a feast day. In the Parliament of Fowls, the royal engagement, the mating season of birds and St. Valentines Day are linked.:
For this was on St. Valentine's Day,
When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate.
As a single and currently unattached woman it can be easy to dread Valentines Day and the daunting idea that I might be alone or won't have a date or won't get any Valentines.
This goes all the way back to elementary school. . .remember when we had boxes and would wait to see who put cards in our Valentines Day boxes. . .would it be the one I wanted, would there be anything in there.
Then in high school, the fundraisers where you could buy roses to send to that special someone during homeroom or the candy grams - why don't we do candy grams as adults - those were always a riot. Dear so and so, I would pay "100,000" to be the Lois Lane to your "Clark" Kent just to call you my "Baby Ruth". . .
But I digress. . .This year looked to be one of those dreaded years, another Valentines Day spent alone. . .or would it be? Something very special happened that reminded me just how powerful love can be in all its forms and while we all long for romantic love - sometimes different kinds of love can be just what we need to bring a huge smile to our hearts.
Last week I was at their house for my Tuesday night sleep over and was informed that their oldest son, Nico, had decided to cook me dinner for Valentines Day. He was working on a hand made invitation and planning the menu himself. Nico is 7. I was quickly informed by Zoe that it wasn't just Nico but it was her too. I was so moved by this invitation that it brought tears to my eyes - tears of joy that is.
Now don't get me wrong, I am currently unattached but in the past, I have had dinner dates on Valentines, I have cooked for dates on Valentines, and I have had dates cook for me on other nights of the year, but I have never had a date cook dinner for me on Valentines Day. Honestly, I cannot think of a better way to spend the evening then to have Nico and Zoe cook for me this Valentines Day.
The pure and innocent love of this gesture from these two kids who just wanted to do something nice for me to thank me for cooking them dinner so many times has reminded me that you don't have to be in a romance to celebrate love on Valentines Day.
I can't wait to update this post with pictures after the event. It promises to be one of the best Valentines of My Life!!
Here are some treats I made for them!
Valentines Day Update
What promised to be a great night did indeed turn out to be a great night. I had warm fuzzies all night.
Here is the menu Nico presented for the night.
Dessert - love - how adorable!!
Appetizers were waiting for me when I arrived.
Nico and his sous chef Annie.
I was under strict orders not to look so Charles had to take this picture.
We just may be looking at the next Iron Chef. Go Nico!!
The finished product. Impressive Nico!!
Nico shows off his salad - he chopped everything himself.
Isnt that beautiful!!!
What a spread!!
Red Hot Sugar Cookies - Yummy!!
My hosts gave me recent photos in hand painted frames. In a word - Awesome!!
From the bottom of my heart - THANK YOU Nico, Zoe, Annie, and Charles!!!
VALENTINES DAY TREATS
Indeed, Valentines Day is not just a time to express your romantic love, but a time to express your love to all the people in your life you care about. To "Shower the People you Love with Love" as James Taylor tell us.
I pulled out all my Valentines cooking tools and can't wait to send love treats to all the wonderful people in my life. If you are reading this you just might be getting a special delivery on Monday (that includes you Mom and Dad, Egan, Terica, Christian, Braeton, Charles, Annie, Nico, and Zoe - just to name a few. . .)
So here is the plan. . .
- Red Hot Cinnamon Chocolate Heart Candy
- White Chocolate Covered Double Stuff Oreos with Valentines Sprinkles
- Chocolate Pomegranate Cupcakes with Pomegranate Buttercream Frosting
- Chocolate Covered Heart Shaped Rice Crispy Treats
- Valentines Sugar Cookies with Almond Butter Cream Frosting
So let's get started.
Red Hot Cinnamon Chocolate Heart Candy
8 Ounces Candy Coating in Valentines Day Color
1/4-1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon Oil
Heart Shaped Candy Mold
Slowly melt chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon Oil depending on how strong you like it.
With a small spoon fill the heart shaped candy molds.
After the mold is full gently lift and drop on counter to remove air bubbles
and smooth out chocolate.
Place in the freezer until completely set - 10-15 minutes then turn upside down on parchment lined baking sheet to remove red hot hearts.
White Chocolate Covered Double Stuff Oreos with Valentines Sprinkles
The Oreo's are sooo easy. All you need is:
- Package of Double Stuff Oreos
- White Chocolate Chips or Candy Coating
- Valentines Day Sprinkles
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.
In a double boiler slowly melt the chocolate - being sure not to get the temperature too high. When chocolate is almost completely melted, remove from heat and stir until completely melted.
Drop the cookies in the melted chocolate one at a time.
Flip with a fork until completely coated then lift cookie with fork shaking off excess coating.
Place the covered cookies on prepared cookie sheet.
Add sprinkles before chocolate sets.
Chocolate Pomegranate Cupcakes with
Pomegranate Buttercream Butter Cream Frosting
This is my entry in the Pom Wonderful Valentine Cupcake Contest. For the full recipe click here.
Chocolate Covered Heart Shaped Rice Krispy Treats
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 4 Cups Minature Marshmallows
- 6 Cups Rice Krispies
Line cookie sheet with parchment. Generously butter several heart cookie cutters. and place on cookie sheet. Melt butter. Add marshmallows and melt. Remove from heat and add Rice Krispies. Stir until mixed. Genrously butter hands and working quickly with a buttered spoon, fill cookie cutters with warm mixture and smash into form. Push out treat and butter mold again. Repeat until completed. Work fast as the Rice Krispy treats will start to harden and become difficult to work with.
Sprinkle some with valentine sprinkles before completely dry.
Meanwhile in a bowl over a pan of simmering water gently melt good quality semi-sweet chocolate slowly, stirring continuously. Remove from heat.
One at a time place hearts into chocolate and turn with spoon until completely coated.
Lift with fork and shake to remove excess chocolate.
Gently place on prepared cookie sheet and sprinkle with
valentines sprinkles before chocolate melts.
Valentines Sugar Cookies with Almond Butter Cream Frosting
Use your favorite sugar cookie and frosting recipe and have fun!!!
I got to use my new silicone rolling pin and pastry mat for the first time. Cleanup was so easy.
I love my silpat baking mat.
How can looking at these not make you happy.
Use fun wrappings to package all your treats.
No comments:
Post a Comment