Today's post is courtesy of Andrea Astrachan, consumer advisor for Stop & Shop Supermarkets. For those of you who couldn't get or didn't want to get a babysitter for tomorrow night, Andrea has come up with a plan to give a dream Valentine's Day for everyone in the family.
A Stay-At-Home Valentine’s Day
Andrea Astrachan, consumer advisor for Stop & Shop
There’s no better day to show your family how much you care than on Valentine’s Day. Since this year Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, you can have a family fun day and then have a romantic evening with your significant other – all while staying in the comfort of your home! There’s no need to pay for a babysitter while you eat at an expensive restaurant. I have tips below to show you how.
Fun with the Kids
Of course kids love Valentine’s Day for the candy, fun cards and little gifts. But you don’t need to shower them with sugar and stuffed toys. Instead, show them you care by spending quality time with them during the day on Saturday.
Encourage your children to invite a few friends over for a Valentine’s Day movie night sleepover. Let them know that during the day they will help you prepare for their party by decorating, cooking and baking. Together, you can use creativity to make the house a Valentine’s Day wonderland with pink, red, and white decorations. Help them with the crafts below and by decorating the house.
- Kaboose.com lists fun Valentine’s crafts such as Valentines’ Day Heart Box or a Valentine’s Day Piñata http://crafts.kaboose.com/valentines-day-crafts.html
- SisterlySavings.com has some easy ways to decorate the house
The kids can also help make snacks to munch on during the movies. Cereal Snack Mix is always a favorite and is easy to make with the family:
Cereal Snack Mix
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. margarine
1/2 Tbsp. garlic seasoning (salt less or low-salt)
1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 cup toasted oats cereal
1 cup small unsalted pretzels
1 cup of chex type cereal
1 cup peanuts or raisins
Add all the above ingredients
Steps:
- Adult: In large skillet, melt margarine and blend in seasonings.
- Child: measure remaining ingredients and add to skillet with help of adult
- Adult: Remove from stove and mix well.
Romantic Evening
After the kids are all settled in with their friends, movies and snacks, it’s time for you to relax with your sweetie! You can have a romantic Valentine’s Day evening cooking in the kitchen, eating together and sharing a bottle of wine and sweet dessert. Light some candles and bring out the nice linen. No need for a babysitter, the kids are safe and are entertained.
Treat your honey - or have your honey treat you - to this Honey Mustard-Glazed Steak with Grilled Onions. And then top it off with a Cherry Heart Cheesecake.
Honey Mustard-Glazed Steak with Onions
Ingredients:
1/3 cup coarse-grain or regular Dijon-style mustard
1 Tbsp. chopped parsley (optional)
1 1/2 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. each cider vinegar and water
1/4 tsp. hot red pepper sauce
1/8 tsp. coarse grind black pepper
1 lb. boneless top sirloin steak
4 Vidalia onions, cut into 1/2" thick slices
Steps:
- Combine glaze ingredients.
- Place steak and onion slices on grill (a grilling basket or tray works well for the onions) over medium coals, brush both sides liberally with glaze.
- Grill steaks and onions 15-20 minutes for medium rare (145° F) to medium (160° F) or to desired doneness, turning once and again brushing with glaze.
Cherry Heart Cheesecake
Ingredients:
Cheesecake:
1 9" prepared chocolate crumb pie shell
2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened (reduced fat can be substituted)
3 heaping Tbsp. (out of 1/2 pint container) sour cream (reduced fat can be substituted)
2 eggs
Dash of salt
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Topping:
rest of 1/2 pint container sour cream
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Sprinkle of lemon juice
Cherry Sauce:
1 can 21 oz. cherry pie filing
3 Tbsp. cherry flavored liqueur or cream sherry
Add all the above ingredients
Steps:
- Beat all ingredients for cheesecake in large mixer bowl until smooth.
- Place in pie shell and bake at 375°F for 40 minutes.
- Remove from oven and pour over it mixed topping ingredients.
- Decorate the top with cherry hearts by spooning 2-3 Tbsp. of cherry sauce from pie filling into small dish, drop by teaspoonfuls in a circle on top of cheesecake. Carefully pull knife or spatula through cherry sauce forming hearts.
- Return to oven and bake at 425 °F for 5 minutes. Cool, Refrigerate overnight. In medium bowl, stir together remaining pie filling and liqueur. Serve over slices of cheesecake. Store refrigerated.
