Valentine's Day Treats: Easy Chocolate Fondue

I think Fondue should be called Fun-due because what's not fun about dipping stuff in melted chocolate? It's simple, romantic, indulgent, and delightful... all on a stick! Well, on a skewer. But the point is that in less than 15 minutes, you can create a quick and elegant party for two (or twenty) that looks as gorgeous as it tastes. 

Prep all of your dippers; almost anything tastes good in chocolate. Suggestions: strawberries, pineapple chunks, marshmallows, cookies, pretzels, apple slices, bananas, biscotti, orange sections, and graham crackers. I like to put some on skewers to create a little sculpture. Then place the remaining ingredients on a platter or in bowls.

Photos: Arden PhotographyEasy Chocolate Fondue

1 cup whipping cream

3 semi-sweet chocolate bars (4 ounces each) chopped (I like to mix in some bittersweet also)

2 tablespoons of your favorite liqueur* (I like hazelnut, orange, raspberry, or coffee)

*Substitute 2 tablespoons strong coffee OR simply add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla if you don't want to use liqueur.

Add the chocolate to a heat-proof bowl over a double boiler (a heat-proof bowl placed over a simmering pot of water) Keep the water simmering, not boiling as not to burn the chocolate. As the chocolate begins to melt, stir in the whipping cream, a little at a time. After it is incorporated, stir in the liqueur.

Transfer to a fondue pot if you have one, If you don't use a heat-proof dish (like Pyrex) with a tea light or votive candle under the dish to keep the chocolate melted. A dish that is not heat-proof, such as porcelain or ceramic will crack.

NOTE: The dish will get very hot so make sure the candle is not too close to the dish and take extreme care when handling!!

Update on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 9:11PM by Martie Duncan

Jodie on Facebook asked about white chocolate fondue. Make it the same way. Just sub chopped white chocolate for the dark chocolate.

Martie's Valentine's Day Party Ideas: Kids, Couples, & Singles, too!

Valentine's Day is less than a week away and I'm starting to get some "help me with some ideas.... and fast" emails. Happily, some are from guys! I am all about any reason to have a party, and after all, what's not to love about love? It's a great reason to celebrate, no matter what your current romantic situation may be. Here are a few suggestions for the annual day of love:

Party for Two

Keep it simple but sentimental and you'll win him/her over every time. Surprise them with a favorite meal, their favorite movie, or a special treat that you never have, like an ice cream sundae with all the toppings. 

Recreate a romantic Italian restaurant at home complete with a dance floor! Read more...

A picnic for two in front of the fire is always fun.... send the kids away to Mimi's or off to bed early! Throw tons of fluffy quilts and comforters on the floor in front of the fireplace. Chill something; Prosecco, sparkling wine, or champagne would be nice. Select something from my list if you need help. Maybe make s'mores...toasting marshmallows over the fire... or a candle if you don't have a fireplace. Fondue is also really fun... but a bit messy. Here's a fast and easy recipe for fondue that will be the perfect ending to a romantic dinner for two.

If you do the rose petal thing, just remember that red rose petals WILL stain almost everything--- especially a white fiberglass type of tub. For that reason, I like pale pink for this romantic gesture.

For the guys: Pop the question all over again! Recreate your proposal and if it wasn't all that special, this time, make it memorable. Of course, a special token of your great esteem would be essential.

Make a romantic dessert together and then share the results! Try my Chocolate Souffle. Perfect for the occasion!

Need a cocktail for the occasion? Try my Mocha Margarita. Chocolate+Tequila= Love.

Party for More than Two

Do you have a mix of singles and couples you’d like to celebrate Valentine’s Day with this year? Select a party theme that doesn’t necessarily require any partnering or couple-oriented activities. Instead, select something that can be fun for all.

Host a Wine Find: You know how everyone loves to brag about that perfect bottle of red they discovered for only $12.99... turn this into a party where everyone brings a wine and a complimentary dish. Super easy, super fun! Read more....

Host a Progressive Dinner Party: In the UK, they call this a Safari Supper, which I like better than Progressive Dinner. Each course is hosted at a different home. This is perfect for a neighborhood party or supper club. The party usually starts and ends at the same home. Guests travel to different homes for the salad, soup, and main courses. But you can mix it up any way you like.

Throw a Pajama Party: There are lots of versions of this party theme. Everyone comes dressed in pj's and robes. Lots of pillows, blankets, and throws are all you need for decorations. Read about our Guilty Pleasure Pajama Party

Parties for Families or Kids

It seems as if Valentine's Day is more for the kids these days. Here are some fun ideas for family fun.

Make Edible Valentines: Host a cookie decorating party where the result is edible heart-shaped cookies to share with friends and family! Read more....

Host a Wii Bowling Party:Pretty self-explanatory. Families wear team shirts or dress in one color. Award prizes for the winners. Serve typical bowling alley fare: root beer, pizza and nachos are perfect.

Host a Tea Party: For the little girls, High Tea can be very fun. Make it a Mother-Daughter party, complete with dressy clothes, gloves, and hats. Make lots of heart shaped items using a cookie cutter as a template. Heart-shaped tea sandwiches, cookies, and cakes are perfect. Or get some ideas for heart-shaped goodies from our friends at MyRecipes.com

Valentine's Day Party Ideas for Singles or Couples: Host a Wine Find!

Do you have a mix of singles and couples you’d like to celebrate Valentine’s Day with this year? Select a party theme that doesn’t necessarily require any partnering or couple-oriented activities. Instead, select something that can be fun for all... Host a Wine Find!

Photo: Arden Photography 

A “Wine Find” is always lots of fun. You know how everyone just loves to introduce a good, inexpensive and interesting wine to their friends--- "I found this amazing red from just outside Burgundy and it was only $12.99!"  Well, you can turn the quest for a great, inexpensive bottle of wine into an inexpensive party theme. Here's how:

Ask each guest to bring their favorite "cheap" wine  along with a simple food pairing and tasting notes for the wine. You can usually find these at the store or online. Set a price limit if you want to really challenge your guests... say, nothing over $15 per bottle.  

Award prizes for the winners with the best white, red and sparkling wines with one special prize for the overall winner.

Photo: Arden PhotographyNeed prize ideas? Boxes of nice chocolates, wine accessories, a really good bottle of good bubbly, gift cards to a favorite wine shop or book store, or movie tickets are always a good bet. Hope you and yours celebrate the day that celebrates love with lots of fun and laughter!

For a variation on this party theme, watch my Host a Wine Around the World Party video or read the how-to and take your party to a whole new destination!

Fab and Frugal for Valentine's Day: Plan a Romantic Dinner for 2 at Home!

Trying to cut back on expenses right now? Me too! But that doesn't mean I want to skip important celebrations. You can plan a totally fab and frugal party at home this V-day by creating your own romantic restaurant right at home. One soooo easy theme is old-school Italian---and what's more romantic than a cheesy Italian restaurant?

Set the Mood: It's very simple to create with items you may already have. Start by hanging white holiday lights around the room. Next, drape the table with a red and white checked tablecloth; add a cheap red jar candle. Make a playlist of crooners like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Tony Bennett. Push back the furniture to create a dance floor and your romantic restaurant scene is set.

The Menu: The menu is even easier--- it’s not gourmet by any measure but this always gets rave reviews and it is super easy and super fast, too. For a quick salad, slice a tomato and a nice, fresh piece of mozzarella. Stack---alternating the slices. Red, white, red, white.... drizzle with olive oil and a little balsamic vinegar. If you have fresh basil, you can tuck a leaf in between each slice--- all the colors of the Italian flag! 

Okay, I am going to confess a little secret. My best go-to Italian dish starts with frozen butternut squash ravioli from an organic grocery store like Whole Foods. Topped with burnt butter sauce, this dish will rival any restaurant favorite! Burnt butter sauce is d-i-v-i-n-e and not hard to make but you have to watch it like a hawk because it burns easily. It is not meant to be burned, just browned to a lovely caramel color. To-do: Place a stick of room temp butter into a saucepan over a low heat. It will quickly start to bubble and turn brown around the sides of the pan. Let it cook to a caramel color and add a tiny dash of olive oil--- take care not to burn! Remove from the heat and immediately pour over your cooked pasta. Finish with a dash of nutmeg and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.See picture--- don't you want to eat this right now? Need a wine suggestion? Try Ruffino's Chianti Classico Aziano--- about $12.99. Very smooth and drinkable.

For dessert, I love-love-love (triple love) profiteroles but I don't really want to spend the day baking on Valentine's Day so a plate of mini cream puffs (from the bakery or frozen food section) with a little warm chocolate sauce is the perfect ending to your fast, fabulous and frugal romantic dinner. Now it's time to take a spin around your faux dance floor or settle in with a movie like Cher and Nick Cage in the Italian romantic comedy classic, Moonstruck. Pour up some after dinner drinks like Frangelico, Amaretto or Limoncello to get the real party started--- now that's amore. 

Valentine's Day Treats for Kids: Sugar Cookie Lollipops

I got a couple of requests for ideas for children's Valentine's party treats this week--- not candy and not cupcakes. I was momentarily stumped!

These lollipop cookies are the perfect solution--- and if you use refrigerated sugar cookie dough, they're not only easy, they're inexpensive and fast, too. I think the entire project cost me $20 but that was only because I bought a special $9 cookie-pop pan. (yes, there is such a thing) I did some with the fancy pan and some without and they turned out just as good without the pan. Kids love to personalize things so let them decorate their own cookie pop with icing, sprinkles and small candies. The decorating part is easier for the kids if you ice the cookies first. Let the icing dry overnight for best results.

Get a piece of Styrofoam to display the cookies and your party treats also become pretty party decorations. Here's a picture from my iPhone for the how-to. If you think this took a long time, it didn't-- I baked and iced 12 big sugar cookies in less than an hour. BTW- the small cookie lollipops are just Oreo Cakesters in strawberry--- for the stick, I used those funny Poky biscuit sticks in strawberry creme.