Valentine's Day At Home This Year? Here's A Lovely Date Night Idea

HelloooooOOooOoo from the insideeeeeeeee…

Valentine’s Day will look a little different this year. While restaurants are typically booked out far in advance, many of us will be celebrating from the comfort of our homes. So… here’s a little idea for a fun date-night-in that you can plan as a surprise for your s/o. (Awww, aren’t you SWEET!)

but first… A quick note about local restaurants this year

Before I dive in… remember that you can still support a local restaurant this year for Valentine’s Day even if you’re not going to dine in person! Pick up takeout, get food delivered, etc. I know many restaurants are doing an amazing job this year with specials that you can order to-go! And I’m sure many will be doing a special Valentine’s Day menu. This is a great option for couples who are staying at home, but typically have a favorite local spot for Valentine’s Day.

My fake restaurant that is open 1 day out of the year

Alright so… every year on Valentine’s Day, I create a mock restaurant for my fiancé called “Dip” - I design a “Special Valentine's Day” menu, light candles, pour some drinks, and make fondue for two with all fixings right in our apartment. He loves it and really appreciates the effort. Prior to COVID-19, this allowed us to avoid the February 14th restaurant chaos while still having a romantic night together. And this year, it will be the perfect stay-at-home celebration.

What’s cookin’ good lookin’?

I always start with beer cheese fondue served with a french baguette, crisp apples, and pretzels. The second course is chocolate peanut butter fondue served with brownies, bananas, pretzels, marshmallows, and strawberries. Obviously you can add whatever dippers your beautiful heart desires! I put both recipes below that I typically use. I don’t have a special fondue pot (although I probably should have invested in one after 9 years of doing this… * adds to wedding registry *) so I just use a pot on the stove and it works fine.

let’s make it easy… Download & print your own Dip menu

Every year I create a new menu for my fake restaurant. Check out some of the menus from past Valentine’s Days! Ha! So funny. (Especially that 2015 beautiful brownnnn!) This year Dip REBRANDED! We’re stepping it up a bit with a nice little logo, some pretty colors… wowowow. So exciting! If you want to download and print your own Dip menu so you’re not starting from scratch, click HERE.

2021 Dip Menu

2020 Dip Menu

2017 Dip Menu

2016 Dip Menu

2015 Dip Menu

what’s your go-to fondue?

If you have any good fondue recipes, please share them in the comments!

The Recipes

✨BEER CHEESE FONDUE RECIPE✨

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 15 min | Ready in: 20 min

8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
8 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 clove garlic
1 can or bottle of beer
1 dash hot sauce
Dippers such as: french baguette, crisp apples, pretzels

DIRECTIONS

Combine Cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, flour, pepper, and salt in a bowl
Rub garlic clove around pot
Pour beer into pot, bring to a simmer over medium-low heat (about 5 min)
Gradually stir cheese mixture into beer until cheese is melted and blended (about 10 min)
Add a dash of hot sauce to pot
Serve with dippers such as french baguette, crisp apples, pretzels

✨CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FONDUE✨

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 10 min | Ready in: 15 min

6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Dippers such as: brownies, bananas, pretzels, marshmallows, strawberries

DIRECTIONS

Combine chocolate chips, sugar, milk, and peanut butter over low heat
Stir until smooth
Serve with dippers such as brownies, bananas, pretzels, marshmallows, strawberries