Happy Birthday My Valentine Sweetheart!

My husband’s actual birthday is Valentine’s day…a day of love to be sure! I decided to have a few friends over- seems like that’s what we always like best.
I settled on a Fondue Party- retro, fun, interactive
and full of flavors.

I created the romantic ambiance at the living room coffee table- covered it with a lace ivory cloth we purchased on our honeymoon in Cozumel- gathered plenty of oversized pillows from around the house… and set up the dinner party in front of a roaring winter fire. Rose petals, candles..music and really special friends.

Our friends were told dinner would be casual,
but they probably didn’t expect to sit on the floor!!

Dinner began with an amazing cheese fondue- good gruyere cheese grated with a few spoonfuls of flour then added dry white wine, a dash of lemon, cayenne, nutmeg and Kirsch with plenty of interesting ‘dippables’.
Sourdough French bread, sautéed mushrooms, blanched broccoli flowerettes,
baby red skin potatoes, French cornichons and La Piece de resistance
brussel sprouts!

Next course was the meat course..
Homemade sausage slices, beef tenderloin strips, tortellini tomato skewers
and herb encrusted chicken bites, ready for each guest to dip
into the garlic rosemary seasoned oil – cooked to their liking!

With dipping sauces that included a colorful and tasty array of my favorites... marinara sauce, a lemon tarragon butter, a divinely spicy pesto, mushroom burgundy and a sesame spiked soy sauce.

Course # three was a simple salad tossed in olive oil and lemon-
a great way to cleanse the palate.


And in lieu of a traditional birthday cake we splurged on chocolate fondue-
what a treat!!
Dark chocolate, vanilla, evaporated milk, chocolate chips warmed
until melted and creamy… ready and willing to coat colorful strawberries, kiwi, bananas and sweet Clementine’s..almond biscotti, shortbread cookies, pretzels, marshmallows- and my favorite-
dried fruit skewers of pineapple, apricot and mango!

Having enjoyed several bottles of wine and champagne, incredible jazz piano (thanks to our friend Dean who plays and sings..happy birthday like I’ve never heard it!), we finished the evening with a lovely glass of port and coffees...
Monday morning was definitely hard to face after this
romantic, decadent and cozy birthday party
for my Valentine Sweetheart!