Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Valentine’s Day! We started celebrating a bit early. We checked into The American Club for a weekend full of chocolate from a learning how to make incredible hot chocolate to a 5-course chocolate dinner. For this chocoholic it was pretty AMAZING! Click Celebration of Chocolate to read my latest blog post and see pictures of the most beautiful delicious chocolates too. I can’t wait to do this again next year. It was really special!

It’s still not too late to celebrate. Why not treat the family to a special breakfast this weekend? My Cherry Almond French Toast is a favorite in my house! It’s so delicious and pretty too.

Serve it with Brown Sugar Bacon and you’ve got one fancy breakfast in bed! Click Breakfast and Brunch for more yummy recipes that will really WOW your family and make a special weekend!

For dinner I think it's fun to do a date night in every once in a while. A good shrimp cocktail is the way to my heart. Make my Beer Boiled Shrimp with Seriously Good Cocktail Sauce. It’s the perfect start to a fun romantic dinner at home!

The restaurants are going to be so busy this weekend. I'd rather go out for dinner another time. Hey, why not break out those fondue pots and do fondue this weekend?

My Cheese Fondue is an old family recipe. It’s so easy, cheesy and good! Serve it with crusty bread, crisp veggies and crunchy Granny Smith apples for dipping. It’s to die for!

I also put out a tray of beef tenderloin cut into cubes. We skewer it on fondue forks and dip in a pot of hot oil or boiling beef stock. Then we dip the hot cooked beef into my Whipped Horseradish Sauce. OMG! It’s so darn good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

For dessert keep the fondue theme going and make my Chocolate Fondue. It’s crazy easy! Just 2 ingredients or 3 if you add a splash of Kahlua. Serve it with lots a of fun dippers like fresh berries, bananas, and pound cake. Talk about romantic! Super fun to make for the kids too. My kiddos love it!

My grandmother’s Just Leave it Beef and Wine is another one of my date-night-in faves! It’s so easy breezy and great for having company over too!

Got a few chicken breasts in the fridge or freezer? Why not use them and make something that seems kind of fancy? My Skillet Bow Tie Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes is a dish that you’d pay big bucks for out at a restaurant. Save some dough and make it at home! Nobody but you needs to know how easy it is to make! Easy on the wallet too. LOVE THAT!

I love a good casserole. Even on the holidays! My Sausage and Gorgonzola Bake is definitely company worthy. Click Dinner, Slow Cooker, and Casseroles for more valentine worthy recipes.

For dessert, if you are like me and love chocolate why not WOW everybody with my Blender Chocolate Mousse? Yes, it’s true that you make it in minutes in your blender! Who knew it could be that easy?

I love the combination of cherry and almond anything! My Cherry Almond Crisp warm out of the oven with vanilla ice cream is incredible! Talk about the ultimate date night dessert. Click Desserts for more fun Valentine’s Day dessert recipes.

A Sweet Treat - Order Amy's Cookbooks!

Valentine's Day is here. If you didn't get my cookbooks for the holidays, or maybe you're stuck in a recipe rut, why not treat yourself or a loved one to new recipes? I have two cookbooks with lots of beautiful color pictures and each is filled with nearly 200 unique, delicious recipes. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

I’m Announcing My Next Culinary Trips SOON!

Have you always wanted to go on a river cruise through Europe? It’s been on my list for years. In September 2020, we’ll spend two days in Munich for Oktoberfest and then take an 8-day river cruise down the Rhine River. Please join me! Click Culinary Vacations to read more and imagine the fun we'll have!

You can also click German Grandeur River Cruise to read more, or call 866-463-6946 to reserve your spot. There are a few spots left - including one for you!

Stay tuned! I’m announcing my next big trips SOON! What’s on your travel bucket list? I’m planning my culinary trips for 2021. Would you like to go back to Tuscany with me? Greece, Hawaii, Ireland? Let me know what trips you’d be most interested in.

Please Invite Me

I’d love to come to your town and meet you! Tell your library about me. I’ll come do a cooking demo for your company or event too. Click Hire Amy for more ideas for how we can spend time together!

We are headed back to South Bend, Indiana for another hockey weekend. I promise to post pictures. You can always see what I’m up to on Facebook and Instagram. Follow me!

I hope you are feeling the love this weekend! Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom

Cherry Almond Crisp