MOTD: Valentine's day

This Valentine's day we decided to do something different. The timing was apt; Restaurant Week 2014 had just ended (shameless plug to my Restaurant Week-related post here), and House of Cards Season 2 was made available in its entirety on Netflix, so I figured this Valentine's day was the perfect opportunity to stay in.

But celebrating with delicious food is always a must! Thus began my 4-hour wrestling match with ravioli dough.

Image 1. My arms suffered greatly that day.

We smothered the ravioli in homemade pesto and devoured them. Dessert was a no-brainer: red velvet cake & chocolate ganache covered red velvet truffles.

Image 2. Just dipping some cake pops in dark chocolate ganache.

Image 3. The balls...of love.

AREN'T THEY BEAUTIFUL?!

The frosting was lumpy, so I ingeniously solved that problem by covering it in its own crumbs and leftover ganache.

Image 4. Heart-shaped cake

Image 5. Our romantic dinner table

Not bad, eh? I purchased the tealights myself...and the dozen red roses. #dontneedaman

Image 6. Greek salad, and grape juice disguised as wine bottle just chillin'.

We started the meal with an appetizer of Greek salad: romaine lettuce, red onions (soaked in ice water to dull the sharpness) green peppers, green olives (we prefer them to black ones), cucumbers, halved grape tomatoes, and of course, feta cheese. The dressing was a homemade red wine vinaigrette (I always make my own salad dressing), and that "champagne bottle" you see chillin' there is actually non-alcoholic sparkling Chardonnay grape juice, because I am a child and also alcohol intolerant.

We had lots of fun staying in (and watching House of Cards). I highly recommend it as an alternative to eating at a crowded romantic restaurant. 10/10 would do again.

The recipe for the ravioli is coming soon!