Valentines Day On A Budget With Your Lover

 

        

I have been thinking about my friend coming to visit. I told him what ever day he came to see me this month would be Valentine’s Day.

I am no fool. I know he is busy and has to travel for his business so I can make this a floating holiday for us.

I told him if he gets us a luxury suite at the new hotel in downtown Schenectady and the Champagne I will bring a treat. I was not sure what that treat would be since I am always on a budget and of course Valentine’s Day can be an expensive day where the goodies are concerned.

I put the thought of what to get or make aside and went shopping for this month’s groceries. After all we do have to be realistic don't we?

I decided to shop at Alides this month since they had a massive fruit sale going on.

I bought cantaloupe red seedless grapes two boxes of strawberries a bag of oranges and grapefruit.

I had been enjoying this fresh fruit during the week but still did not know what I was going to make or buy for Valentine’s Day.

Then it hit me of course I would make the treat and use the fruit! I had a basic idea what I would make and when I went to CVS to get my meds I decided I would look for what I needed to make my plans come together. I had five dollars in CVS bucks to spend and would use that for my supplies. I found some Semi Sweet Nestles Chocolate Chips and some Dove chocolate and cherry heart shape candies. That came to three fifty and I still had enough to get a couple of other things I needed as well and did not spend a dime! I like when that happens!

Now I knew what treats I was going to make when I got home. I decided to make frozen wine infused grapes and chocolate covered fruit.

 I did the easiest thing first when I got back home I poured some white wine over the grapes that I had poked pin size holes in and then set them aside to absorb the wine.

While the grapes were absorbing the wine I prepared the fruit that was going to be dipped in the chocolate. I chose six of the juiciest and biggest strawberries that I would use then I took an orange and cut it into eight wedges removing the rind. Once that was accomplished I put half of the chocolate in a plastic bowl and melted it in the microwave for a minute and a half to maybe two minutes. If you have not done this before I suggest you check the chocolate every thirty seconds until you are sure the chocolate is ready to come out.

If you melt your chocolate this way don't wait to see the little chips melt. If you do that they will be burned. When they are melted enough in the microwave the chips take on a wet or glassy appearance that is when they are ready to come out of the microwave.

When my chocolate was melted I took the bowl over to the counter and stirred the chocolate

The chocolate was melted just right and was not be too hot to handle. Now it was time to dip the fruit.

I have some fondue forks (any small pointed utensil will do even the tip of a knife) that I used to hold the strawberries while dipping the strawberries and oranges in the chocolate.

Was the fruit perfect like you see in the specialty stores? No they weren’t. Does it matter? No.

I was making something special for my guy from my heart to share with him. I know he will not care and like any real man he will just enjoy the chocolate covered fruit!

I bet your asking now what is she going to do with the grapes? Once the grapes had soaked for a while in the wine I took them out and tossed them in sugar and put them in the freezer. These grapes are awesome to just eat as is but I like to put them in the glasses of champagne.

This entire Valentine’s Day treat  will look like it took hours for me to make and cost a  fortune  but in reality will have taken very little time or money.

What I will get from this is he will feel special and know I cared enough to do this for him.

Later he will get another little surprise when the bed is turned down for the evening. He will find a couple of the Dove chocolate cherry hearts on his pillow.

This Valentine’s Day will not just be all about me it will be about him as well because I believe this is a romantic holiday that is about by both people who are sharing it together. We both need to feel loved and special and this year he will and so will I. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!