Valentine's Day Inspiration Board

Planning a Valentine's weekend wedding next year? This red inspiration board is sure to give you plenty of great ideas.  Whether you want to go all red or just use it as an accent, this inspiration board from Keen To Be Seen will give you plenty of ideas.

Another option? Go with red china and plain table linens.  Instead of coffee serve some hot chocolate (perfect Valentine's Day substitution) and add a marshmallow with a heart shaped cut out!  Just slice your marshmallow in half and cut out the heart design either by hand or by using a tiny aspic or cookie cutter (you can find these at Kitchen Kapers or on Amazon.  (Today they're cheaper at Kitchen Kapers, but that could change any time! Also check for coupons for  Amazon or Kitchen Kapers on Coupon Cabin.

After Party Drink -- Russian Hot Chocolate

Photo courtesy of: http://www.olivenation.com/

Planning a party after your reception?  Consider serving this wonderful hot chocolate to your guests.  The recipe is from http://olivenation.com.  One taste and your will fall in love!  And isn't that what you want people to remember about your wedding, LOVE? 

Russian Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:
1 quart low fat milk
1 vanilla bean split lengthwise (our huge vanilla beans are perfect for this recipe)
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3 Tbsp + 1 tsp. Star Kay White pure chocolate extract
2 tsp. honey
2 tsp. cognac
whipped cream and shaved chocolate for garnish

Combine sugar and cocoa powder with 1/3 cup of cold milk. Combine remaining milk and sugar in a non-reactive pot. Cut the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the inside of the pod. Add vanilla flecks and the bean to the milk and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove the vanilla pods and pour the mixture into the cocoa mixture whisking into a frothy mixture. Add the pure chocolate extract and cognac. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate. For a great froth, steam the finished beverage with a steam (cappuccino) attachment on your espresso maker.