Valentine's Day 2010

So we stayed home. Our anniversary weekend was a lot of fun and since it's so close to V-Day we usually don't do anything special anyway. I don't really subscribe to the V-Day mentality, I think you should show the people you love that you love them every day, not just on a holiday.

So we stayed in and made dessert and dinner together.

First we made this awesome NO BAKE recipe...

PB & J Chocolate Bars

For the base:

1 stick unsalted butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 large egg, beaten

1 sleeve of saltines, finely crushed

For the filling and glaze:

1/4 cup grape jelly (I used slightly more than this to cover it properly)

7 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1.

Make the base: Line an 8 inch square baking pan with foil, extending it over the sides.

Put the butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure the water and the bowl don't touch. Once the butter melts stir in the cocoa and sugar. Whisk in the egg, cook, keep whisking, until it turns the consistency of hot fudge, approx 4-6 minutes.

 

Remove from heat, Mix in the saltines.

Press this crust into the pan. 

Place pan in freezer for a few minutes (until next layer is ready)
2.
Make the filling: spread the jelly over the cooled crust in pan. Place back in freezer until next layer is done.
Beat 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of butter, peanut butter and confectioners sugar with a mixer, until light.
Spread over the jelly layer. 

Return pan to freezer while last layer is being made.
3.
Make the glaze: Place the chocolate and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into the heatproof bowl, over the simmering water.
Heat until chocolate is is melted.
Remove from heat, stir until smooth.
When it's cool but still runny, spread the glaze over the chilled peanut butter layer. Smooth it out. 

Freeze for about 30 minutes, or until set.
Remove them from the pan by lifting the foil from the pan. Cut into squares and enjoy.

Always remember, if your husband helps then always let him lick the spoons! 

We had Pierogies with caramelized onions and cheesy rice for dinner. 

All in all it was a great Valentine's Day together, our 7th actually. It was just what we needed.