An Effortless Apres-Ski Valentine’s Dinner
Posted by Aleah & Nick on Thursday, February 9, 2012 · 7 Comments
Oh, Valentine’s Day. That holiday that some enjoy immensely, that some despise, or that many are impartial to. We’ve been together for lots and lots of Valentine’s Days and, while we’ll enjoy the day, we like to take it easy. We’ll likely be enjoying some Dungeness crab and watching a new movie and taking Lulu for an early afternoon walk along the beach. It’s all about the little things. What do you have planned?
If you’re still looking for that perfect idea, we just might have one for you! We designed this vignette to have an après-ski feeling. You know, an evening spent in a rustic ski lodge with exposed beams, rustic plaid pillows, antlers, and a warm ambiance. Something that allows you to cozy up next to a roaring crackling fireplace after a day spent in the powdery snow.
Create your own gourmet cheese board with a strong Stilton, rich Triple Cream Brie, assorted nuts and fruit, and pull-apart breads.
Let the effortless food be the star of the show but dress it up with peanut brittle in ornate bowls and vintage trays.
Warm up your table with a deep red and brown plaid runner {we used a valance from a home goods store} and lacy napkins as mats for a classic touch.
Pull in more traditional Valentine’s Day colors like deep blood red, magenta, and shades of pink with unusual elements like protea {source from your local florist}.
Pre-make a hearty soup a day or two prior and top with slices of baguette and cheese and stick under the broiler until the cheese bubbles.
Yum. Pistachio-encrusted goat cheese? Yes, please.
When you combine all of these homey elements the result is something effortless, hearfelt, and quite romantically cozy.
To set the mood…
And…just for you we’ve got two special recipes. Because we love you.
Valley & Co.’s French Onion Soup
Ingredients: 2 quarts of beef broth | 1 tablespoon olive oil | 1 tablespoon butter | 1 large white onion {thinly sliced} | 1 tablespoon white sugar | 1 teaspoon dried thyme | 2 bay leaves | ½ teaspoon salt | ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper | ½ cup of port wine | 1 baguette for slicing | your favorite cheese for topping
In a large stock pot over medium heat add onion, butter, and sugar and cook for 10 minutes, until the onion slices are tender and golden. Add thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper and stir. Cook roughly one minute and add port and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Add broth and bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and let cool for 20-30 minutes. Place in fridge overnight and ladle into oven-safe bowls. Top with thin slices of a baguette and place under the broiler until baguette is golden. Sprinkle each with English cheddar, Gruyere, or your favorite cheese and place under the broiler until the cheese bubbles.
Choco Vine Raspberry Kiss Cocktail
Ingredients: Choco Vine {check your local wine market} | whole milk | raspberries | sugar
Pour 6 oz. of Choco Vine into a lowball glass. Top with whole milk. Take raspberries and roll in sugar and skewer onto a cocktail stirrer. Serve as a garnish.
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WOW- your Effortless Apres-Ski Valentine’s Dinner is so chock full of amazing photos, ideas, playlist, and recipes that I am on sensory overload…
Loving the table runner – great colors! Oh, and the food looks delish.
Thanks so much – we wanted it to be vibrant and unique!
This is my kind of V-Day!
YAY! Looks great! Love the design!