Sunday, February 15, 2009

Can you feel the love tonight?

So, I celebrated Valentines Day with my husband, but I also invited a few of my SINGLE LADIES over so we could all enjoy a great night of food and friends! This dinner was all about small portions...so had six courses!

Here are some of the highlights:

I made chocolate covered strawberries with toasted hazelnuts, and my Mom made these sweet cupcakes that looked like flowers. These were used to decorate the table...and as party favors.







I decked out the table in red and silver...used the cupcakes and chocolate strawberries as my centerpiece, which I set at the end of the table.

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COURSE 1: Baked Brie with French Bread
We started with our favorite Baked Brie...you really must try this...it is to die for!
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COURSE 2: Cream of Asparagus Soup
This was made by my Mom. I will post the recipe later. THIS WAS SO DELICIOUS!!! We served these in coffee cups!
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COURSE 3: Goat Cheese Tart with Arugula tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette
Kristy created these delicious tarts...it was all YUMMY!

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COURSE 4: Mushroom Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter, Saulteed Butternut squash gorgonzola and sweet balsamic glaze.
I made a batch of fresh pasta and rolled out these little babies. I made one large ravioli per person. The balsamic glaze was a nice touch to counterbalance the richness of the gorgonzola.
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COURSE 5: Red Wine braised Short Ribs served over sour cream mashed potatoes and au jus
This was a last minute addition to my menu. I thought this would be an easy entree and I was right. I just seared these babies and then the cooked in the crock pot for the rest of the day. The meat was amazingly tender and had great flavor!
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COURSE 6: Molten Lava Cake ala mode with Raspberry coulee
We ended the night with Molten Lava Cakes and Cappucinos. Yes there were cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries...but hey, it is VALENTINES DAY! These little babies have a soft chocolate center and were so YUMMY! Just on the verge of "death by chocolate!"





My Mom lives in Orlando now, and she is AMAZING! She is like the engergizer bunny, I dirty a dish, it is cleaned and put away before I turn around...she is an amazing chef too! She preps like a champ and she is so fun! We had a great time making dinner together!

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We started cooking around 11 am yesterday, and we were done about 3...If she wasn't here, I would have been stressed, and not done...this is the first time that I truly enjoyed myself! We all had a lovely time! Kristy was great because she has tons of catering experience, and she helped me plate everything between courses...we are a well oiled machine and can do anything!! I love you girl! The only person you don't see is Viviana, as always, she is behind the camera. THANKS VIVI for the amazing pics!!

What about Paul you ask? Wel...Paul serenaded us! :)

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12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Marcie, you are amazing with all the things you can do. You should have your own show!!

Amber said...

How fun. It all sounds and looks so tasty and beautiful. I think we used those same candle holders from WM? I love them. Love the look. Love the versatility. Love the price. Love them. We packed them with about 12-14 short red carnations and they were beautiful for a Frank Sinatra martini themed birthday. You look like your mom, very pretty. And I like that you included friends on Valentines.

Unknown said...

Macie, it all looks fantastic. You always do such a great job. I am sure all your guests loved every single bite!

Anonymous said...

Martha couldn't have done it any better!

I LOVE reading your blog! Always so much to learn from you.......No FAIR NOT being able to be a real life "in-person" friend! You seem to be such a creative, fun-loving, people-pleasing gal! I would absolutely adore meeting you kiddo.

Emily said...

AMAZING. I'm doing that next year. Wow it really looked great.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved every morsel and lots of fun taking pictures!! I know that you always put so much love in all you do Marcia, but I felt personally special to have been part of your Valentines and showing me that it's a time for not just people in love but also for spending time with all the people you love! ;-)

Emily said...

Marcie, (okay another comment from me) I love how you did all the courses as small plates and I love the idea of the one large ravioli. By any chance can you email me the recipe for the braised short ribs I really want to try that. Thanks, EM

Mommy said...

Looks so delicious!! One day, you can cater my daughter's weddings, ok? ;-)

Dena said...

Everything looks AMAZING! I've got to try that brie!

Live.Love.Eat said...

Your night looks amazing. I am sure your friends were all blown away. The menu is making me very hungry right now too!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Marcie and Paul,

Looks like you enjoyed a terrific Valentine's Day! Your menu looks wonderfully yummy, and your table looks beautiful. Say "hello" to your mom from us. Your smiles at the table tell it all!

Talk to you soon!

Chris @ Celebrations At Home said...

I would like to go ahead and put in a reservation for next year. It all looks SOooo delicious!