Some info about our Gourmet Group: We are 4 couples who enjoy cooking, entertaining, and most of all, each other’s company.
We take turns hosting in our homes. The hosts decide on the menu (theme) from appetizers to dessert for the evening. The hosts cook most of the meal, but give at least one course (along with all the recipes) to the other couples to prepare. We love trying new recipes and ideas. So most of the time the recipes are ones we haven’t cooked before, but they don’t have to be.
Another couple hosted our group a week ago Saturday for a Valentine’s Day Themed Evening.
We began the evening with a toast to friendship, love, and food.
RED
A color for love & her table
Hearts, sparkle, glitz, and glamour
PLACE SETTINGS
Lots of sweet treats for each of us…
The host found these cute love-themed chocolate bars (World Market)
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THE MENU
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COCKTAILS & APPETIZERS
Kitchen fireplace decked out with Valentine’s Day décor…
Herb and Roasted Pepper Cheesecake
We were assigned to make this appetizer.
The roasted sweet red peppers were the highlight in this dish.
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Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Mushrooms
This is a definite keeper for the recipe file – probably my favorite food all evening
Link to the Allrecipes recipe
Two tips: Half the cream cheese is sufficient, and Partially cook the bacon before assembling & cooking the rest of the recipe–
Our spread of appetizers on her valentine-decorated table – except for the Baked Brie with Roasted Garlic (which was still baking when I snapped the photo)
SALAD
Strawberry, Spinach and Avocado
This was a unique and tasty salad with ingredients including avocados and pistachios
MAIN ENTRÉE
Baked Scallops with Angel Hair Pasta
For a couple of people in our group who don’t care for scallops (whaaat???), they were served Baked Chicken with Angel Hair Pasta
DESSERT
Death by Chocolate in a Crock Pot
You would never guess this dessert was made in a crock pot, it’s that good!
To accompany, our dessert we were served a Chocolate Wine (also found at World Market)
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Inspirational Details 