Sunday, February 16, 2014

Valentine's Day Dinner 2014

Well, it was another year of dinner at home for the big V-Day.  I did it similar to last year:  Champagne and appetizers ready when The Dad got home from work.  Then dinner and dessert.

Here's Valentine's Day this year at our house:

The table is set.











A present for The Dad.
I'll post about it later this week.
It would be a good DIY gift for any special occasion.
Or just because.




Sparkling wine is chillin'.



Appetizers are out.
Strawberries and cheese on one plate.




Balsamic-Glazed Pork Belly on another.
Yes, crispy, delicious pooork.



Wine is decanting and candles are lit.




My mom dropped off goody bags for the kids, so I put those at their places.



The Dad's home....time to pour the bubbly.



He brought me a card and flowers.
Awww.
He even picked them out, separately, and ARRANGED them himself.
He tied them with a rubberband so they'd stay pretty until he got them home.
Right?!





Time to eat.
I made a salad with green apples, Flagship cheese and candied nuts.





The main course was sort of a one-pot mishmash.
I sauteed up some onions and garlic with linguica.
Then poured in some white wine, chicken broth and garbanzo beans.
Seasoned everyone up and let it simmer.
Right before we ate, I stirred in some spinach.
I had Manchego to grate on the top, but forgot about it.
Doh.
Then a heart-shaped fried egg on top.
Awww.
Some of the eggs turned out better than others.




The Dad likes his yolks runny.
Bleck.


And The Mom's egg-free dinner.




And now, I present to you, The best brownie I've ever eaten in my life.
I got the recipe here.
Fudgy, dark chocolate, gooey, goodness.
It was amazing.
I cooked up some frozen raspberries with about a tablespoon of sugar for the sauce.
Powdered sugar sprinkles on top.
SO good.









And there ya have it.
The Northrop family Valentine's Day.


Please see my sidebar for the parties I link up to.


4 comments:

  1. Your Valentine's day dinner looks really nice. I love your table setting, and all the pretty windows by your dining area. The brownies look so good!

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  2. That is just spectacular friend! Such a gorgeous setting for your sweet family!! And how beautiful are those flowers that your hubs got you! I soooo need to do that pre-planned date night ticket idea! HA! You don't know how bad you need things like this until you have kids!!!! I will be pinning this right now! Those brownies knocked me out of my seat! Have a great week friend!!! Nicole xoxo

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  3. Are the camelias from your garden? I've noticed some blooming here and there. Your dinner looks amazing. It is so well thought out! Cheese and strawberries are a great combo. We had a little surprise party for the kids and had pizza and cupcakes. It was cute but not quite as fancy as dinner!

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  4. Beautiful tablescape and what a lovely meal you put together, Mindy--I am definitely pinning that brownie recipe--my sweetie loves chocolate treats every now and then, so I am sure he would love this. I really like all the little details in your photos--the pretty stitching on the tablecloth, and that cool turquoise toothpick holder--love them! Gorgeous camilias. There used to be a lot of big, old camilias in our neighborhood, but over time they've all been cut down--a shame, they were so pretty. And I am very impressed with the lovely flower arrangement from your husband--how cool is that??

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