Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Let's get cooking

Are you making anything special for Valentine's Day? I have three bars of cream cheese on my counter, waiting to be whipped into a scrumptious cheesecake. Since it sits overnight for best flavor, I thought I'd plan another make-ahead recipe from a library cookbook--shrimp etouffe. I've given up on eating out for Valentine's day. It's a lot less stressful just to serve a special meal at home. Later I have birthday cakes and cupcakes to bake. That perfectly working oven came just in time! The same cookbook had a recipe for blueberry muffins in which the batter, after mixing, sits in the refrigerator overnight. I'm going to try those for Friday.

Still haven't tried your hand at homemade pizza dough? Tammy of Tammy's Recipes has a free video tutorial you can download. She makes it seem so easy! Of course, she even makes her own pepperoni!

8 comments:

Molly said...

Yum, Cheesecake sounds good. My hubby avoids cheese like the plague, but I have planned an extra special meal since Valentines Day corresponds with his first week at a new job.

We will be having, Filet Mignon, lobster mashed potatoes, green bean bundles wrapped in bacon, and chocolate lava cake with fresh whipped cream and raspberries.

The only thing I paid full price for was the beef... not too bad.

As always, thanks for the inspiration!

TheNormalMiddle said...

the kids like it when I serve pink tinted mashed potatoes (a few drops of red food coloring) and heart shaped hamburger patties. I usually serve heart shaped mini cakes and red fruit punch too.

It isn't the healthiest of meals but it is fun.

Anonymous said...

Awww, thanks, Meredith! Glad you enjoyed the video so much. :) And making pepperoni is very easy! The hardest part is getting it all sliced thinly when it's done! :)

Kristin said...

I think I'll make cinnamon rolls this afternoon for my hubby's breakfast tomorrow morning. I know he'll enjoy the break from his regular oatmeal! Tomorrow night I'm making chicken parmesan, caesar salad, crescent rolls and a heart shaped cake for dessert. I'm looking forward to spending the day baking/preparing! Hopefully my 5 month old cooperates. We'll be eating dinner later than usual...after Helen is in bed. A romantic evening.

We don't go out on Valentines Day anymore. I just can't stand the crowds and, honestly, I can make a meal that is just as nice or nicer for less than half the cost. Plus no babysitter is required!

Meredith said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one having a special dinner at home! At times like these, it is easy to get eaten up with jealousy at couples with babysitting budgets, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Son is sick so haven't thought of what I'll make for Valentine's Day yet but we'll definitely be eating at home...we'll save a night out for a time when restaurants aren't so crowded and there aren't "special holiday menus" with temporarily raised prices. But just want to jump in to say that your cheesecake recipe I used for the baby shower turned out wonderfully, everyone loved it and the guest of honor was thrilled by it.

Roberta said...

Molly..YUM!
Lindsey...what an adorable meal idea. I am going to do that next year, or maybe green potatoes for st. patties with shamrock hamburger patties..LOL

I saw a sweet little girl make truffles on vision forums "everday news network", we are going to attempt those and bake some cookies for a few sweet elderly neighbors.

I am excited to have found a copy of the devotional Streams in the Desert at the thrift store to give my book loving husband. They sell hardbacks 3 for $1.

MommyLydia said...

We don't always do anything at all for Valentine's. But this year, with me pregnant, hubby wanted to so he made reservations for Thursday (avoid the VDay crowds) and we went out to eat. Next year, we were talking as we ate, with the baby outside and not inside my stomach, we won't be able to go to such a fancy restaurant. Maybe it will be our little one trying her first real food then :)

I really like the idea of having a meal with the kids for Valentine's day