4 Valentine's Day Dates

Here are my top 4 picks for a Valentine's Day date and what you should wear while you're on them...

The Couple That Plays Together Stays Together:

Lets Eat! is a fun and interactive way to spend the evening. You make your own dinner together at this new WP venue. You'll learn a new recipe and flirt like you did with your highschool Home Ec partner as you chop veggies. After dinner you can walk across the street, grab a froyo at Gurtzberry and stroll the avenue after dark. A little window shopping can be fun too. Check out Park Promenade Jewelers window if you get any big and bright ideas!

http://www.letseatdinner.com/

Just because you're suzie homemaker on your date doesn't mean you have to dress the part. Go with this camisole and panty set by Pfiff Lingerie.



For New or 'Non' Couples:

Lake Eola is the perfect post dinner activity so try a new restaurant in Thornton Park and walk around the lake with some hot chocolate or espresso while you chat and cuddle up to eachother in an attempt to get to know one another a litttle better. Need a restaurant suggestion? Try Graze or 310 Lakeside and follow it up with a pre-stroll pitstop at Starbucks for your hot beverage.



If you're not officially a couple or you've just started dating you may or may not be displaying your lingerie just yet. This is the perfect option for just in-case. It gives you unreal push-up to get noticed even when you're not undressed and if you do remove some garments that night he's in for a treat that's a whole lot sweeter than the sugar in your hot chocolate.



The Big Production:

Manuels on the 28th is THE place to go to for a romantic dinner. Nothing beats a 5 star meal at the top of the Bank of America building overlooking downtown's new and improved skyline. It is absolutely gorgeous and if you can score a reservation this late in the game, request side by side seating at table for 2 facing the windows so you get the full panoramic view. Guys, this one's going to burn a crater the size of the Citrus Bowl in your wallet but the meal and ambience is well worth it the splurge!




Since this is no ordinary date you can't skimp out on your lingerie choice. This peacock set by Wendy Glez is just as sophisticated and unique as your date.





Busy Bees:

If you're always on the run and you feel like you need some down time rather than a big night out, hunker down with a candle-lit dinner at home. Follow Melixa's recipe below and pair it with a nice bottle of wine or in my case, the coldest bottle of beer you can find and make it a movie night. And n case you were wondering, yes, meal prep IS foreplay and since you're in the comfort of your own home you don't have to wait until after dinner to...





This gorgeous Wendy Glez push-up camisole and matching lace boyshort is comfy enough for movie night while maintaining serious sex appeal.






Valentine's Day Recipe:




Melixa, who most of you know from Shou'Ture, was the first person I thought of to ask for an amazing recipe. Besides from being one of my favorite people ever, I highly suggest befriending her as she is hysterical even without 4 glasses of wine Luma-style, she is seriously talented in the kitchen so enjoy!


Melixa:
You want a recipe that is simple to make, tasty, nutritious and won't make you look bloated in your sexy Lavish lingerie. Just about every man loves beef so here's an easy recipe you'll both love.

Flank Steak topped with a Blood Orange Succotash and Spring Salad*

* Flank Steak should be marinated at least 4 hours in advance
1 2 lb flank steak
1/2 c dry sherry or red wine
1/2 c soy sauce
2 tb Emeril's Creole Seasoning such as see recipe that follows
2 tb minced garlic
2 tb brown sugar
1 tb tomato paste
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Place flank steak in large, plastic resealable bag. Take the remaining ingredients and combine in a bowl or large measuring cup for easy pouring. Pour into the bag with the flank steak, seal and let marinate at least 4 hours in advance of cooking.

Remove flank steak from bag and reserve marinade. Place flank steak on a broiler pan and broil 5 minutes on each side (rare) or more depending on desired doneness. Pour the marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-minutes.

Once done, remove and let stand for 5-minutes. Cut across the grain into thin diagonal slices. Once plated, pour marinade over flank steak, top with Blood Orange Succotash (see below) and a side of Spring Salad.


Emeril's Creole Seasoning (store remaining in air-tight jar in refrigerator)

2 1/2 tb paprika
2 tb salt
2 tb garlic powder
1 tb black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tb cayenne pepper
1 tb dried leaf oregano
1 tb dried thyme

Blood Orange Succotash*

*This can be prepared ahead of time without the green pepper and chilled. Then prepare pepper prior to putting in flank steak

1 medium green pepper, chopped
1/4 c finely chopped green onions
3 tsp Cilantro minced
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp fresh lime juice
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/3 cup uncooked yellow corn
1/2 c blood orange, chopped

Preheat broiler.
To prepare succotash, cut bell pepper in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin side up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 10 minutes. Peel and finely chop. Combine with remaining ingredients and serve over sliced flank steak.
Serve with a Spring Salad and dressing of choice as a side.


Melixa: Okay, so just because you don't have a significant other doesn't mean you can celebrate Valentine's Day or get gifts! Lavish has plenty of gifts that you can give to a friend like amazing room diffusers, smoothing lotions and more. Plan a girl's night in and serve these tasty treats with champagne and a Sex in the City episode marathon.

Fig and Bleu Cheese (or Goat Cheese) Bruschetta

36 (1/4-inch-thick) French baguette slices
1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (2 oz.) crumbled blue cheese or crumbled goat cheese
1/2 cup fig preserves or jam
Preparation
Broil French baguette slices on a baking sheet 3 inches from heat 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until lightly toasted. Remove baking sheet, and reduce oven temperature to 350°.
Stir together cream cheese and blue cheese in a small bowl until well blended. Spread a heaping 1/2 tsp. cream cheese mixture onto each baguette slice; top each with a rounded 1/2 tsp. fig preserves.
Bake at 350° on middle rack for 8 to 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Stuffed Mushrooms
Preheat broiler
1 or 2 packages of large button mushrooms with stems, rinsed
3 or 6 links of turkey sausage sweet or spicy
1/2 or 1 white onion, chopped
1/2 or 1 cup bread crumbs
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Preparation
Heat skillet on medium heat and place turkey sausage to cook. Do not pierce sausage while cooking as it will lose flavor, use tongs to turn. Cook 8-10 minutes or until done. While sausage is cooking, separate stems from mushroom caps and place in bowl. Line mushroom caps on greased baking sheet.
Chop mushroom stems and onion and combine. Once sausages are cooked, allow to cool before chopping into small pieces. Add to mushroom stems and onion, add bread crumbs then combine. Stuff mushroom caps with mixture, top with cheese and then broil for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Grilled Chicken with Avocado and Mango Salsa
4 - 6 Chicken Breasts
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 avocado, chopped
2 mangoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup uncooked corn
1/4 c green onions, chopped
2 tsp rice wine vinegar
2 tsp fresh lime juice
Preparation
Combine salt and pepper. Season chicken breasts to taste. Grill for 20 minutes or until done. In medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients adding salt and pepper to taste. Chill and serve over grilled chicken breasts with a side salad.
Pomegranate Champagne V-day cocktail
4 cups crushed ice
2 cups pomegranate juice
1/2 cup ginger ale
1/4 cup brandy
1 (750-milliliter) bottle Champagne or sparkling wine
Pomegranate seeds (optional)

Combine first 5 ingredients together. Garnish with Pomegranate seeds.