Valentine's Day Bonanza!

So in 2003, I got a fondue pot for Christmas.  I then decided to use it for the first ever Valentine's day bonanza on V-day 2004. My friend Sarah, and her bff/roomate/guy I quasi-dated Gray, and I were the only attendees. I didn't really grasp the concept of a fondue pot so we ended up eating over the stove. It was a blast and so a tradition had been created.

Every year, I celebrated my favorite non-holiday with friends, their boyfriends, girlfriends, coworkers, anyone who had a good attitude!

The menu has definitely matured since the first menu of melted Hershey bars and shrimp cocktail with red bull and vodka. But the staple has been made, cheese fondue, chocolate fondue, wine & beer and taboo!

This year's menu:
- typical cheese fondue (I get the cup o' fondue from trader joes because past years we have had a block of cheese - to this I say, know you're weakness and use that shortcut :)

• dippers: granny smith apples, sourdough bread, pretzels

- mexican chocolate fondue

• dippers: pretzels, large marshmallows, strawberries, cubed pound cake

•  80% cocoa chocolate chips, cream, mexican cinnamon, mexican vanilla, cayenne, chipotle
• heat the cream in a double burner and add chocolate to melt, add spices to taste, I add a ton of cayenne because I like it HOT!

-  crostini with steak and maple red chile sauce

• Steak - I picked a london broil because it pan cooks well
• heat up a cast iron skillet, cook for 4-5 min each side, let rest, slice diagonally
• Red Chile Maple Sauce - this is my recipe so you can change it if you like, which I suggest to make every recipe your own, but I digress
• seed red chile pods, soak in warm water, puree in blender
• in a saucepan: heat bacon fat, add a little flour to make a rue, pour in real maple syrup and reduce
• add red chile puree and reduce more, add cayenne or chipotle to taste if you want

- tadig "Bellinis" with ghormeh zabzi

• tadig bellini - I call it this because they are the shape and size of a bellini and I have no other description
• boil basmati rice till 1/2 cooked, drain
• mix rice, 1/2 cup melted butter, saffron, yogurt, 1 egg salt and pepper together
•  spoon into a mini muffin pan, use something to smash down
• bake at 375 for like 20 minutes or until hard
• spoon ghormeh zabzi on top of each tadig (I will post a recipe to make this soon. meaning: once I make it again and remember how I do it :)

- Caprese crostinis

• thinly slice a baguette
• I buy the prosciutto double packs at costco and use one, I also buy the mozzi double pack and use one, one pound of roma tomatoes seeded and cut into thirds and fresh basil
• cut the prosciutto in half lengthwise, layer tomato, basil and mozzi and wrap with prosciutto 
• bake each on a baguette slice at 400 for like 10 min or till the mozzi is melted

Everything was a HUGE hit but I learned a few very valuable lessons this year:

• do not go to a lobo basketball game before the party, you will be rushed and get into an argument with your husband :)
• do not prepare 3 things that need to be individually plated right before serving AND make two fondues that need to be made right before serving, you will still be in your yoga pants when people show up :)
• no matter what, have a glass (or bottle) of wine, eat and play the games and HAVE FUN!!!

I love this party so much, I hope it will inspire some to do something similar. Just give props where they are deserved, do not try to make it seem like an original idea, no one will believe you! :-P