Good AM lover

Speaking of lovers, guess what’s next weekend. Yup, Valentines Day {you’re so smart}.

To be honest, It’s not a HUGE deal to me. As long as I’m spending it with people I care about, I’m a happy girl.

Whether you’re single or taken, I’ve come up with recipes and ideas for how to have a fabulous night.

How to Have a Fabulous Valentines Day {While Single or Taken}

***PRO TIP: No matter what your status is, single or taken, one suggestion I have is to unplug for an hour… or 5. Disconnect from the virtual world and reconnect with those important people in your life.***

Single?

Honestly, most of my Valentines Day’s have been spent single. I am ALLLLLL for the V-Day girls night.

• Google what wine nights are happening on Valentines Day in your city. LOTS are usually going down. It’s the perfect reason to get the girls together for {another} wine night.

• Throw a get together with your closest girlfriends. Invite the ladies over, get that vino chilling and set up appies {scroll down for my fav v-day recipes ;)}. I also LOVE the idea of a fondue with the girls. It’s super fun. Oil, Cheese or Chocolate. Pick your fav and enjoy.

Taken?

Ahhh yes, the typical Valentines Day situation. Boy + Girl + Romance. Don’t go crazy on the gifts. Cook for him or get something small he will appreciate.

• Ofcourse there’s the usual night out to a restaurant option. Pick one with a BYOW option if you can. If none exist in your city, head to a restaurant you’ve both been dying to try out.
• MY personal suggestion? Stay in. Spend time 1 on 1 with your sweetie and enjoy appies, vino and a movie. Check out the recipes I’ve provided below and set up a picnic on the couch {snuggling is a must}. Don’t take on a huge extravagant meal, this night is meant to be stress-free and all about your time together.
  Here’s a little kit to get you started. Just pop the listed items into a basket and you’re set ;)

Cuddle kit for 2

Fav chocolates

Sparkling wine

Candles

Movies

Snuggly blankey

• A little secret for you. Even better then the last. Sunterra has a Valentines Day Special. You pre-order your dinner choices here and pick up the day of. We’re not talking the usual boring take out. This is a gourmet 4 course meal for $23.99 AT HOME. Talk about perfection. Low stress, more time with sweetie, unreal food, couch, movie, vino. I mean, romance at it’s finest people. You’re welcome.
• In ADDITION, Calgary has a MEEZ Cuisine option that is the exact same concept. Unreal. They feature mouth watering gourmet Valentines Day meals that are very affordable. Check it out here!! But HURRY, you must get your order in by 5pm tonight.

Recipes

TIP: Sparkling rosé wine is a MUST for Valentines day. Super cute.

Charcuterie Board

Ingredients:

• Grapes
• Assorted cheeses
• Crackers
• Assorted Meats
• Marinated Artichokes
• Red Pepper Jelly
• Pickled asparagus
• Frozen Meatballs {cook to the package directions}

Assemble the above listed ingredients on a cutting board or tray and serve.

Mushroom Crostini

Ingredients:

• Portabello, crimini and white mushrooms {whatever kind you want basically}
• Unsalted butter
• Fresh minced Garlic
• Chives
• Parmesan {optional}
• French Baguette
• Olive Oil
• Cream cheese {optional}

Sauteé the first 3 ingredients until mushrooms are browned and soft. Meanwhile, cut the baguette into crostini’s and set on a tray. You can also lightly coat them with olive oil and toast them in the oven at 350 F for about 10 mins {keep an eye on them}. Then simply top the crostinis with the mushrooms, sprinkle chives and add the optional parmesan if desired. If you aren’t going for dairy-free, add a layer of cream cheese to the crostini prior to topping with mushrooms.

Scallops

Ingredients:

• Scallops
• Real bacon bits
• Fresh minced garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Butter or olive oil

Heat the butter or olive oil in a pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Once the pan is heated, add the garlic and bacon bits. Pat dry the scallops and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Add the scallops to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes on one side, flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Make sure both sides are a golden brown and the scallops looks opaque. They should be firm but soft. Like a set Jell-O kind of feel. Serve immediately :)

Black Forest Molten Lava Cake

Quite possibly the best Valentines Day dessert out there. Black Forest Molten Lava Cake. This recipe is Paleo approved and can be a bit tricky. Maybe do a test run during the week if you have the time.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. dark chocolate
• 3 tbs coconut oil
• Coconut Oil Spray {kinda like PAM but coconut oil. Check your grocery store oil area}
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp almond flour
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• Cherry pie filling
• Whipped cream {not Paleo approved, I know, I’m bad}

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Prepare four ramekins with coconut oil spray and dust with cocoa pwder.
2. Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a large bowl in the microwave OR use a double broiler. Stir to combine and set aside.
3. In another bowl, combine the eggs, honey, vanilla and salt. Mix with a hand blender for 4-5 minutes until frothy. Carefully stir in the melted chocolate. Sift in the almond flour and cocoa powder on top and fold everything together.
4. Divide the batter equally between the 4 ramekins. Place on a baking sheet and put int he oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
5. Spoon some cherry pie filling and a dollop of whipped cream into each ramekin {super cute for Valentines day}

xxoo Drea Marie