What are your weekend plans?  We are going to dinner at a restaurant tonight with friends.  I’m so excited!  I love doing my part to help out the restaurant community so we are headed to Twisted Tree tonight.  I’ve only been once before and I’m thrilled to be going back.  Their burger looks amazing but I will probably get a steak.  I don’t know, the possibilities are endless. I’m just too excited at the prospect of leaving the house to know what I want to eat.

It is going to be really, really cold here this holiday weekend; just as it will be in most of the country.  That makes for a very cozy Sunday Valentine’s Day.  We are definitely staying in with the girls and cooking at home.  I’m going to try making lobster bisque for the first time.  Wish me luck.  I’m also vacillating between Lamb (pg. 91 in the cookbook) and Beef Tenderloin (pg. 88) for dinner.  Either will be delicious and celebratory; again, just not sure what I want.  I also might make Au Gratin Potatoes… or not.  Who knows?

At least I am not confused about what we are having for dessert!  We are making Black Cake with Chocolate Ganache (pg. 128). We are, however, making them into cupcakes.  I’ve had this Valentine’s Day Cupcake set for YEARS and I need it out of my pantry.  Plus, the girls will love it.  And you know how easy it is to “ice” cupcakes with ganache?  Just dip my friends!

The ganache recipe is here on the blog and is very versatile if you want something simple but delicious for your Valentine’s Day dessert.  Check out the notes section on the recipe.  One way to enjoy it is by cooling it in the fridge, scooping and rolling into balls then rolling in either cocoa powder or powder sugar.  Voila!  Truffles!  I’d keep them in the fridge if I were you.

It seems like everyone wants chocolate on Valentine’s Day.  If you aren’t a chocolate person that is ok!  I’ve still got you covered!  Sticky Toffee Pudding is delicious and elegant; perfect for this special occasion.  Don’t worry about the dates, even the pickiest of eaters have no clue they are in there.  Plus, you can usually buy dates at Aldi… and we all know how I feel about Aldi.  Palmiers are light and super easy to make, plus they look like hearts.  If none of these are striking your fancy, just check out the entire dessert page.  I don’t mean to brag but everything on there is pretty outstanding.

Happy Holiday Weekend everyone!  Wishing you all a safe, warm and happy Valentine’s Day (and President’s Day)!