Valentine's Day Countdown- Valentine's Day Food, 2 Days Remaining

FOOD!!! On Valentine's Day, this is one of the best things... going out for dinner somewhere romantic, cooking or having someone cook for you... Or, a combination of these two! Whatever you decide to do on this February 14th day... it better taste good! Today I'll give you some good ideas for the meals (and snacks!) throughout the day, as well as other sources full of great recipes and ideas!

Breakfast

Surprise your loved one with his/her favorite breakfast in bed! Or, since Valentine's Day falls on a weekday this year (and most people will have to work), why not pack them a little V-Day breakfast on the go? Get or make their favorite coffee, juice, breakfast danish, eggs, ham/sausage/bacon, and they will start their day with a huge smile- feeling loved!

As you know, I LOVE allrecipes.com, so, today they have a great breakfast page- full of Valentine's Day breakfast ideas. Check it out here!

One of my all-time favorite foods to make in the morning is a breakfast burrito. Quick, easy, and yummy... Here is a "recipe" to make them!

Breakfast Burrito

• 1 large flour tortilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons each of butter & vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup hashbrown potatoes (thawed) (* I like the "o'brien" kind!)
• 2-3 eggs
• Mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, olives (optional) (*Use whatever you like!- all, or none!)
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Crumbed bacon (optional)
• Browned ground sausage (optional)
• Chunked ham (optional)
• Hot sauce/salsa/sour cream (optional) (* I use a ton!)

Warm the tortilla in a large skillet over low heat. (* OR- microwave for about 30 seconds, right before filling)


 If you are going to add meat to your burrito, cook in a medium nonstick pan. Fry the bacon, then drain and crumble. Brown the ground sausage, then drain. Cook a small piece of ham, then cut in to pieces (or, for quick and easy ham additions, buy deli ham and eliminate the cooking!) . Whichever one of these (or all!) you choose, start with this step first.

Then, in another small-medium nonstick pan, heat butter and oil over low heat. While the pan is heating, whisk the eggs in a small bowl until blended but not frothy. When the fat in the egg pan is hot (less than a minute), add the hash-browns and cook until they are beginning to brown. Add your choice of mushrooms/onions/peppers/tomatoes, cook for one minute with the potatoes. Then, stir and pour in the eggs.

Let this mixture cook (on medium) until the eggs begin to cook around the edges, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula. Eggs and done when they are no longer "wet", but still moist and soft. Add salt and pepper to taste.

On your warm tortilla, fill with this egg/potato mixture (just like you would a taco), add your meat (if using), then top it all with cheese. Fold up the bottom and top of the tortilla over the filling, fold in sides, and roll up tightly.

Serve with salsa, hot sauce, and/or sour cream, if desired!
*If making more than one, simply double (or triple!) the recipe! Enjoy.

Lunch 

For lunch on Valentine's Day... keep it simple. More than likely you are both busy during the day, and are planning a dinner out at night. So, for Valentine's Day, why not go pick up a quick lunch at a local deli? It is perfect to spend the time together, but not completely stuff yourself.

Here is a list of some deli chains around the country!

• Jason's Deli 
• Schlotzsky's 
• McAlister's Deli 
• Blimpie 
• Jimmy John's 
• Subway 
• Planet Sub   

Dinner 

This meal is probably where you'll eat the most! This is the most romantic meal of Valentine's Day usually. 

If you're going out, make sure to book your reservation in advance! This is one of the most popular nights to go out to eat, so reservations go fast! Go to you or your significant others' favorite restaurant, or try a new one together! A candlelit meal with soft music playing in the background is often the most romantic... but YOU know each other best... if you're surprising him/her, do what you know they'd like! It's your day as a couple! 

If you're planning on staying in and cooking together or cooking him/her a meal, here is another great page full of Valentine's Day dinner recipes! When doing this, make sure you dim the lights, turn on a little background dinner music (view our "music" post for more ideas!), and light some candles.

Dessert

This is something I always look forward to on Valentine's Day, because dessert is typically more romantic to eat together and share! Most restaurants have specials for dessert on Valentine's Day, so make sure you check them out! Even if you're stuffed- it's a special day, right? :) If you're planning on staying in, make sure to include dessert on the menu. 

Not sure what to bake up that's special enough for Valentine's Day dessert? Check out these dessert recipes. YUM! Or, get busy eating away at the box of chocolates you may have around on this day!


One of my all-time favorite EASY desserts are Oreo Truffles. I LOOOVVVEEEE these! Inexpensive, quick, and easy to make... but taste like pure chocolate heaven in your mouth? What could be better! So, here is the recipe! I highly recommend- enjoy!

Oreo Truffles

• 1 package Oreo cookies, crushed (about 4- 4 1/4 cups), reserve the rest
• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 2 packages (8 squares each) semi-sweet chocolate, melted (I use BAKERS) (To soften, place in microwave-safe bowl, and melt for about 2- 2 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. DO NOT heat too long!)

Mix crushed OREO cookies and cream cheese, stir until all evenly covered and well blended.

Roll mixture into balls, about 40-48 small (1 inch diameter or smaller), or 24 "bigger" balls. 

Dip balls in chocolate, covering. (I use a slotted spoon and "shake" off the excess as I go.)

Place on wax-paper covered baking sheet. 

Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.

Refrigerate until firm, at least one hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator. 


HAPPY FOOD!!!

Chocolate Photo Source Breakfast Photo Source 
Lunch Photo Source Dinner Photo Source