Creating your own Romantic Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is always a great opportunity to show your special someone how much you care about them. While there are thousands of people purchasing fancy jewelry and packing into busy expensive restaurants, many people have found that the greatest and most memorable Valentine’s Day can be spent in the comfort and of your own home. Here are the top 5 ways you can to create your own very special evening at home.

Create A Romantic Valentine’s Day Ambiance

Set a table in Valentine’s Day style. Use a red table cloth and sprinkle some rose petals, and light some candles! This will provide a very romantic, warm and cozy feel to your romantic special evening. Put some nice slow music on low in the background.

Valentine’s Day Gifts

Your gifts don’t have to be expensive or extravagant to be special! Pick out some simple and sincere gifts like a beautiful bouquet of flowers and some of his or her favorite chocolates. You can display them in the middle of your lovely decorated table to add to the beautiful Valentine’s Day ambiance.

Romantic Candlelight Dinner for Two 

Your Valentine’s Day dinner will be one of the most important pieces of the evening.

Plan a menu ahead that you feel comfortable cooking, and that you know your date will enjoy. Here is a three course meal to really wow your date:

Appetizer: Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Not only are these extremely easy and quick to make, they are absolutely delicious!

You will need:

• 6 large mushrooms
• 1 tbs. olive oil
• 3 sun-dried tomatoes
• ½ cup spinach finely chopped
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ¾ cup feta
• 3 tbs. parmesan
• 1 clove garlic chopped
• ¼ tsp. black ground pepper

Preheat oven to 450°F. In a medium bowl mix ricotta, feta, chopped garlic, pepper, spinach & sun-dried tomatoes. Remove and discard mushroom stems, brush mushroom caps with oil, and arrange on a baking sheet stems side up. Fill mushroom caps with cheese mixture and top with parmesan cheese. Cook in oven for 8 minutes.

Main Course: Filet Mignon with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Asparagus

You will need:

• 4-5 Russet potatoes (depending on size)
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 clove garlic chopped
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 bundle of asparagus
• 2 Filet Mignon Steaks

Peel potatoes, chop into quarters and bring to a boil in a saucepan. Once soft, drain water and add milk, sour cream, butter, garlic and salt. Blend to desired consistency. (Cover your mashed potatoes to keep them warm while cooking your asparagus and steaks).

Lightly season your steaks with your choice of seasoning. You will want to allow them to warm to room temperature before cooking.  Filet mignon is best cooked quickly with direct heat, such as grilling or pan-frying. Once your steak is to room temperature, throw them on your grill or in your pan until cooked to your preferred temperature.

While your steak is cooking, chop the ends off your asparagus and sauté in a frying pan with olive oil and a pinch of salt.

Plate and serve!

Dessert: Chocolate Dipped Strawberries with Champagne  

Chocolate dipped strawberries are delicious and available at most grocery store bakeries in your area especially around Valentine’s Day. Get a half dozen to top off your romantic Valentine’s Day meal in decadence and in the hot tub!

Spend Some Quality Time

End the evening by taking a warm relaxing soak in your hot tub! Prepare the tub ahead of time by sprinkling rose petals and lighting candles around the outside of the tub.