Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!

I hope you're enjoying your day with someone you truly love!!!!!
For our Valentine's Day, I wanted something wonderful for dinner that would signify my love for my family. Something that is full of life, vibrant and fulfilling.....
I decided on Italian!!!!
I have seen several different Italian dishes lately while cruising blogs and one in particular just stuck....Stromboli!!

My family loves Stromboli, almost better than pizza!
I knew I wanted my signature salad that I developed right after Chris and I got married for a dinner party, an antipasti platter would be nice to nibble on while the Stromboli cooked, and a light refreshing Italian non alcoholic Sangria.
For dessert I made a dark cherry chocolate brownie.
Our dinner is rich and decadent....kid friendly, and special for my family.
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Here is our dinner with recipes....my Valentine's gift to you!!

Antipasti-In order from left to right, Cipollini onions in balsamic vinegar, Jumbo black olives, Roasted red peppers, Marinated green olives, Miniature olive salad with fava beans and peppers.

Italian salad:

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped

2 Medium tomatoes, cut into wedges

1 small red onion

4-5 pepperocini peppers, drained and left whole

1 batch homemade croutons, recipe follows

1/2 cup Italian dressing of choice, I make my own, but any will do.

Place your lettuce in a large bowl. Top with your vegetables in a decorative pattern. I always do mine the same (just like above). Make your croutons.

Croutons:
3- thick slices day old italian bread, cubed in 1 inch pieces

Olive oil, or your favorite, I use about 1/3 cup

2 cloves garlic, minced

Pinch of salt

Any type of italian herbs.

In a large skillet add your oil, garlic and herbs. Heat over a medium burner, add bread and toss to coat the bread in the oil. Watching your bread to prevent burning, turning constantly until light brown and crispy. Remove onto a paper towel, allow to cool then add to salad.

When ready to serve, pour your dressing over and toss to coat. Serves 8

My version of Italian White Sangria

1 Container frozen preferably organic white grape juice, made as directed

3/4 Bottle, Club soda

1/2 Granny smith apple

1/2 Macintosh Apple

1 Lemon, sliced thinly

1/2 Orange, sliced into thin wedges

In a large pitcher mix your grape juice and club soda together. Slice fruit into it and place in the fridge to chill. This is not good after the first day, but I doubt there will be any leftovers, children love this!!


I bought 4 pre-made pizza dough in the freezer section in Wal-Mart. They are made at a Chicago pizzeria, and shipped out to grocery store chains. It is so simple to have home made crust ready within an hour. Just thaw and create.

We filled our Stromboli with Fire roasted tomato pizza sauce,black olives, red onions, and sliced mushrooms. I made Chris' with some homemade italian sausage. I then topped them with Daiya cheese.

Here is the finished product.

I curled the crust over itself to make a semi braid and baked it for about 15 minutes @ 450 degrees.

Stuffed with tons of veggies!!!

Tossed Italian salad!!!!

Our Valentine Table

Bon Appetit!!!!!

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OK,OK, I know......where is the dessert right?

Sigh.....I tried to use a boxed brownie mix to make my Chocolate covered Cherry Brownies. I know, I should have just made it from scratch but, I had a seriously long day, cars breaking down, people needing rides, friends sick...Anyway, enough excuses....back to the dessert.

Something went dramatically wrong......It kinda bubbled and looked light molten lava in the oven. It was greasy looking and didn't set up. It kinda looks like fudge.....So here is a little moral of the story kinda thing....

DO NOT BE LAZY....MAKE THE DESSERT THE NIGHT BEFORE!

THAT WAY IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG YOU STILL HAVE SOMETHING SWEET TO MAKE IT ALL BETTER!!!

Although, I do have Chris and he is the sweetest thing I have ever seen!

Even if he didn't buy me anything for Valentine's Day....but that is another story completely!!!!!

I will leave you with this little thought........
I think we dream so we don't have to be away from one another. If we're in each other's dreams, we'll always be together. By Hobbes