Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Valentine's Day Help! COME VOTE!!!!

I'm working on my grocery list and menu for the next few weeks and remembered Valentine's Day is coming up very soon! Time to start preparing. The past few years, we've gone out for dinner, but this year, since we are in a new area and I don't have a sitter yet, I'm going to make dinner for my husband.

I'm having visions of grandeur here. Candles, flowers, sparkling cider (we don't drink alcohol), and music in the background. Of course, the girls will be with us, but I think they deserve something special for their Valentine dinner too. Sounds fun, doesn't it?

Then I got to thinking that perhaps I would challenge YOU to make Valentine's dinner for your special love(s) as well. I'm not sure how I'm going to pull this off (LOL) but it's possible we might have to have our special dinner a week early so I can get photos and recipes out to you beforehand so you can join in the cooking fun.

I came up with three menus and would like you to vote which meal your family would like the best. I will have the shopping list up by February 1st so you can get all the necessary ingredients to make your meal. What do you think? I would *LOVE* to see how many do this with me and I hope you get pictures too and share them with me!

Alright... here are your choices.



Valentine Dinner #1
Appetizer: Crepe w/ Wild Mushroom Fricassee
Salad: Salad w/ Goat Cheese Fritters
Entree: Raspberry Glazed Cornish Hens w/ Risotto
Dessert: Creme Brulee w/ Fresh Berries
Valentine Dinner #2
Appetizer: Crab Cake w/ Lemon Cream Sauce
Salad: Spinach Salad w/ Blue Cheese and Walnuts
Entree: Filet Mignon w/ Madeira Sauce & Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Dessert: Chocolate Souffle
Valentine Dinner #3
Appetizer: Blue Cheese and Sun-dried Tomato on Crostini
Salad: Caesar Salad
Entree: Bourbon Glazed Salmon w/ Wild Rice and Steamed Vegetables
Dessert: Lemon Tart

48 comments:

  1. ok, i always make a fancy dinner for the family on valentine's day. our anniversary is the week before, so we don't feel like going out again. it's a grand affair and usually ends with chocolate fondue. i'll check out your menus and see if i'm game:)

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  2. Oh my, they all sound wonderful! I guess if you're going to make me vote, I'll vote for #3, but I plan to play along no matter which menu is chosen!

    Thanks! It will be nice to serve a special dinner without all the planning!

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  3. Oh Suzanne, your menus lok wonderful. I like the second one the best but I woudl add dried cranberries to the salad myself.

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  4. I want number 2, thank you you are teaching me to cook one recipe at a time. I love it and so does my family..

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  5. I would like to order Meal #2, but can I substitute Ceasar Salad for the Spinach Salad?? If you can deliever on Valentines evening, around 6pm, that would be awesome.
    'Kay, thanks!

    LOL! Don't I wish! Great menus Suzanne, I'm still voting for #2

    PS, could you PLEASE post your Wheat Bread recipe soon??? I've been making your white bread, (for family and for an older couple in our ward), it is SO GOOD! Better than the KAF recipe. Just need a Wheat version.

    Thanks, and hugs. Your friend in SoCal, Linda Jones

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  6. We are going to a sweethearts dinner at Church for Valentine's Day, but I would love to make it after we are settled into our first home that should close next month!!

    I think menu #3 sounds divine!

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  7. I'm voting #2, it sounds delicious. Becca :

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  8. I'm voting for Meal #2, with a little change, only use the appetizer from Meal #3 since we don't do seafood.

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  9. I'd go with #2, but thats because I"m a steak girl! I'm sure your DH will be in heaven either way!

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  10. #1! Sounds wonderful to me!

    Suzanne, do you know how to make Dim Sum? I have always wanted to learn. Just something I have been meaning to ask you.

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  11. Stephanie, dim sum is like going to appetizer hour. You get samplings of things with tea. Usually there's some kind of congee, spring roll, hum bau/dumpling, etc.. I'm sure if you Google dim sum recipes, you could find a lot of varieties. Hope that helps!

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  12. They all sound great. DH would vote for #2. My vote is for #1. Does that help any? I am trying to come up with a fabulous-at-home Valentine's Dinner for DH & I. Thanks for your inspiration!

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  13. Wow, fancy! That's a hard choice, they all sound so good. I vote for # 2.

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  14. I would vote for 2. When my kids were little we would do this. We would print up menus and decorate and the kids would be the waiters. They loved it! They are grown up now, but still talk about our "Valentine Restaurant".
    Have fun.

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  15. yes, I have had Dim Sum in restaurants. I love the whole tapas, sharing thing about it. You tend to order several different ones, and it becomes a meal. It looks like it might be alot of work though. I'd have to be in the right frame of mine. Plus the ingredients might be hard to find? hmm?

    Anyway- Thanks Suzanne. SORRY! off topic...but I remember you asking if anyone had any suggestions on what they would like to learn...

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  16. It's a toss up between #2 and #3. We usually go out but this year I've decided to fix a meal for my husband and his brother and sisters. So there will be 7 of us.

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  17. # 2, #2
    BUT they all sound amazing!!!

    Katie :)

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  18. I think my family would like #2 the best.

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  19. Picky eaters won't in my house won't go near seafood but that'll just leave more crabcakes for me, hehehe!! I vote for menu #2 (even though I'd rather have #3) ...

    Leanne (google still has me under my old 2peas name)

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  20. #2, no question. Nothing says "I love you" like steak and crab!

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  21. #2!!!! They all sound delicious beyond belief, but I would LOVE that one!!

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  22. Oh this is perfect!! I vote for #2!! We want to stay home for Valentine's this year, and I can make this fancy meal for a lot less than going out. I can't wait to play along!

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  23. #1 sounds great. It's different from what we might normally have - steak and chocolate. And creme brulee is my current favorite dessert. Sounds perfect!

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  24. I'm voting for #3, but reading them sounds overwhelming :) and too expensive were they to be at a restaurant. Sounds delicious.

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  25. They all sound delicious but I'll voet for # 3.

    Valerie

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  26. OH #2 sounds fabulous!

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  27. They all sound wonderful to me! Unfortunately my house is full of picky eaters...none would touch any of those appetizers but me. GRRR I think the most adaptable menu for us would be #2. Thanks.

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  28. #2 gets my vote....sounds yummy and my husband would like it

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  29. I think we'd like Dinner #2, but with a substitution of the creme brulee dessert. I'll play along!

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  30. #2 with appetizer from #1...we don't do seafood! HA HA

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  31. What?? We have to choose? Why can't you just make all three and then post them all so we can all make something different, or mix and match??? If you can't (which I know you can) then I guess if I have to choose, it would be #2 or #3. You are so fun! Love you sis!

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  32. #2 sound fantastic! I would love all those recipes - my family would love that menu!

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  33. While I would prefer the cornish hen since I am cooking this for my loved ones they would all prefer #3.

    I really missed your blog during your down time. So glad to see you back although that means i'm drooling on my keyboard again!

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  34. #2 all the way! :) I was just thinking about doing the same thing, making a special meal at home, because we are in a similar situation - just moved, no sitter etc. Thanks for the ideas!

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  35. I'm completely torn between #2 and #3, but I'm going to vote for #2.

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  36. oh wow! I am going to have to vote for #2 but I would love to see all the recipes over the course of the year!

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  37. Mmmmm...definitely Number 2! We're all about Filet Mignon and Chocolate! We'd probably have a Caesar salad, though. It's one of our favorites. This will be fun!

    By the way, I noticed that someone asked you for your whole wheat bread recipe (sounds great!). And I have a question. I've made bread numerous time over the last few months. Every single time, though, it falls during the baking process. What am I doing wrong??? The dough always looks and feels beautiful, it rises well, then it just falls. So, I know there is something I'm doing wrong. Do you cover it during the second raising process (when it is in the loaf pans)? I have been covering it, but maybe that is making it fall?? Help!

    Thanks!
    ~Suzanne B.~

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  38. #2 clearly! send me 2 plates, too

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