The Perfect At Home Valentines Day Menu

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ACME Markets. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am typically not a fan of going out to eat on Valentine's Day. It may be because I worked at a restaurant one year during this holiday. The tables were pushed closer together, the menu limited, and the reservations stacked. It also proved to be the one time Brian would actually cook for me. He was really quite good at it! This year we are planning to cook together and include our daughter. However, we want to make it a little more special than our everyday dinners. So we are going all out! We have a classic surf and turf menu planned, and we are doing it up with decor. Everything we need can be found at our local , ACME Markets in Morris Plains New Jersey. We used the fresh fruits in the produce section as inspiration for our crab meat cocktail. Zeroing in on the mangoes and avocado as the building blocks to our dish. Also, the Butchers at ACME Markets are so helpful when selecting a cut of meat, and they offer great prep tips! We were confident a low and slow braise for the short ribs would be perfect. The bouquets in their floral department were so pretty, it was so hard to choose! However, Siena was super excited about the Valentines Day balloons, we couldn't leave the store without one. Of course, if going to the store is not an option for you ACME Markets also offers Grocery Delivery and Pick Up . You can also find beautiful floral arrangements, chocolate covered strawberries, plus quality meats and seafood at the Alberstons Companies family of stores. This includes Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Randalls, Shaw's Supermarkey, Star Market, and Tom Thumb.

Of course you can't celebrate Valentines Day without some sweet treats! There were so many specialty cookies and cakes in the bakery department to choose from. We let Siena handle this task, as she is our expert. She picked out the cutest strawberry cheesecake cupcakes. No doubt she was drawn to the pretty swirl on top, she is definitely excited to try them! Of course, we couldn't leave without some chocolate covered strawberries. Is it even Valentines Day without chocolate covered strawberries?!

I am looking forward to being in the kitchen together and setting the scene. I will make sure Siena is on hand to help me add in ingredients and stir where she can. I will also have her color and cut out paper hearts and create more decorations for the table. That way she really feels like a big helper and connects with the celebration. I can't wait to see her finally bite into one of the cupcakes and then maybe have an extra glass of wine with Brian after she goes to sleep!

If you are looking for an easy recipe to add your Valentines Day weekend plans, look no further. This crab meat cocktail is refreshing and full of flavor. The Calabrian chili paste adds a little kick to balance out the sweetness of the honey.

6 oz. lump crab meat
½ ripe mango, pitted and peeled, diced
1 ripe avocado, pitted, peeled, diced
2 T fresh cilantro leaves, torn

Dressing

3 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp honey

1 tsp Calabrian chili paste

1/3 cup olive oil

1/8 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp pepper

Lime zest for garnish

1. In a large bowl whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing until well combined

2. Add in the chopped mangoes and the crab meat. Toss gently until well coated.

3. Add the avocado the bottom of a martini glass or small glass bowl. Then add the crab and mango mixture to the top, dividing it between two small bowls or glasses. Top with lime zest if desired.