Last-Minute Valentine’s Dinners and Desserts
I’m making a mad dash today to get ready for a last-minute appearance on AM Northwest tomorrow morning to bake up some Valentine’s Day treats.
In order to get ready for the show, I’m prepping ingredients, props and the different baked goods in their varying stages of readiness. Talk about a test of willpower.
It’s hard explaining to the girls why they can’t eat these. Sometimes I call my stomach and my mouth “the girls.” Isn’t it cute?
In the meantime, I’ve got to get Gi and Lu all ready for their parties at school, laying out their heart tights and sweaters, cutting their sandwiches into hearts for their lunches and packing lollies and cards in backpacks tonight since I’ll be leaving the house before anyone is even thinking about waking up in the morning.
So no, Pea Daddy and I don’t have big Valentine’s Day plans.
But we have to eat.
And so do you.
So I thought I’d show you a few last-minute dinner and dessert ideas that you can put together in a rush and still come out looking like a hero. In heart tights, of course.
Dinners
Italian-Style Meatless Meatloaf Muffins: they are hearty enough to feed big appetites but cute enough to add a bit of whimsy to your table. If you have a heart-shaped mold, you can really go crazy.
Noodle Salad with Peanut Mmmm Sauce: a lighter meal that comes together quickly and is fantastically delicious. You could even have your own Lady & The Tramp moment with the noodles, if that’s your thing.
Chickpeas and Dumplings: comfort food at it’s finest and it’s done in about twenty minutes for you and your little love dumpling. Oh brother.
Quinoa Pizza Casserole: If you haven’t tried this casserole yet, now’s your chance. Top zesty quinoa with your favorite pizza toppings and dig in. Be still my beating heart.
Desserts
Chocolate Cherry Cashew Bars: sticky, sweet, chewy and rich, these bars are everything a Valentine’s dessert should be. And they go awesome with a glass of red wine. Or so I hear.
Chocolate Lava Cakes: These are just what they sound like. Only call them Chocolate Lov-ah Cakes tomorrow.
Truly Chocolate Pudding: I love this pudding. Love love love. Don’t dream of skipping the pistachios either.
Black Forest Brownies: If you don’t have raspberries, sub cherries on top of these fudgy brownies of my dreams. They go awesome with a cup of coffee. Or so I hear.
Totally doable, right?
Let’s rock this V-day.
I don’t know about you, but “the girls” and I can hardly wait.
I want to eat everyone of these pictures. I am finishing up the last day of a 3 day juice fast and I can’t help but torture myself by drooling over your amazing creations. Tomorrow will be here soon enough!
Oh my goodness. Enjoy your day tomorrow!
Wait, I’m supposed to have heart tights on my girls, I totally blew it.
But I did do 17 Valentines with a barely 4 year old boy and thought to myself I’d rather eat a raw onion than go through that again…
Have fun on the show tomorrow!
Ha ha ha. I’d still rather do the valentines. Thanks, Cary!
Hahaha, your comments about “the girls” and the Chocolate “Lov-ah” Cakes really made me laugh. Good luck tomorrow! I’m not in your area, but if there’s a clip online sometime I’d love to watch it
I’ll try to post the clip tomorrow night. Thanks!
MamaPea, you’re like Superwoman right now! Hope you get a chance to slow down and relax soon.
You and me both
I have my DVR set now that I know you will be on TV again! And your Mmm sauces are perfect for any occasion. I just might have to make some for Aubrey tomorrow.
Thanks, Amber!
Yum! It’s like you knew I was trying to come up with something last minute to bring to girls night tomorrow!
Yum! I just started an elimination diet to pinpoint allergies, and your photos are just too much! Yum!
Ooops, sorry! Hope you get some answers soon!
“It’s hard explaining to the girls why they can’t eat these. Sometimes I call my stomach and my mouth “the girls.” Isn’t it cute?” Funniest line ever!
LOL! you always make me laugh. All those dishes and desserts look delicious!
Good luck tomorrow, Mama Pea! You are amazing!
I was thinking of making your Soft-Baked Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and I wanted to know if i can sub half of the vegan margarine for pumpkin puree?
Thank you!
I don’t think it would hurt…they’d just be a bit softer. You may want to add a touch more flour or oats. Good luck!
my valentine’s day meal is going to be super lame compared to this round-up…can i just come to your house?
i’ll bring my girls…and i don’t mean my preggo boobs.
Oh, I didn’t say I was making any of this. They’re getting leftover donuts.
I flipping love that noodle salad and had forgotten about it! Hooray!! Too bad it 10:30pm and I just had a snack or I would be making a big bowl of it right now.
I kind of just want to feed you because you seem to like everything I make
How do you feel about becoming a Pea?
The brownies and the lava cakes…had totally forgotten about those. Thanks for the delish reminders.
And break a leg on AM Northwest tomorrow! (the old expression only, of course!)
Happy V-Day!
Great post! Thanks for the recipes – they reminded me of some I had wanted to try and forgot about and pointed to others I’d never seen. And, hilarious, as usual.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
It’s hard explaining to the girls why they can’t eat these. Sometimes I call my stomach and my mouth “the girls.” Isn’t it cute? Hahahaha, Classic Mama. <3
Good luck on TV tomorrow! Take good care of your “girls”. He he. You are funny!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Good luck on your morning show. You’re a total natural, so you got it.
I’m eyeing the meatless meatloaves. The olives are calling me. The pistachios on the pudding remind me of the pistachio avocado pudding I made this week! (and it’s vegan) http://www.j3nn.net/2012/02/09/dairy-free-pistachio-pudding-gluten-free-no-cook-vegan/ A little salty completes sweet!
How I have missed some of these incredible recipes on your blog before? I hope book #2 is in sight because I could use some more Pea recipes in my life.
how exciting! I’d love to see a more “behind the scenes” of what it takes to do a segment like that!
Good luck with your latest television appearance! You’ll do awesome – you are such a natural!
Thanks for all of the ideas!!! I cannot believe I had forgotten about those cashew bars – I remember when you first posted them, they went on my list of things to make…I must have lost that list!
Tonight, they will be mine! Along with Sunshine in a Bowl! 
Will you come make me Valentine’s Day dinner ? : )
Good luck today on the news! I know you are a pro at this now ; )
<3
Good luck today Mama Pea! I know you’ll rock it and I’m sure you’ve got a killer outfit picked out as usual! These recipes all sound amazing. I absolutely love the photo of the noodle bowl and peanut mmm sauce. Gorgeous!
oh my gosh!!! these look so good!!! thanks very much!!! i have to try your lava cake tonight!
I cut the boys sandwiches into heart shapes today…I had to free form it (trust me you can tell) because I didn’t have a cookie cutter big enough.
I hope your spot on AM Northwest went well…I am sure you charmed the pants off of them
SO COOL!!
Good luck on the show!
I want to eat everything dessert here…and then move onto the dinner. It’s ok to have it backwards on V-day especially if you feel all congested, right?!
ummm those black forest brownies are calling my name!!! everything look sooosoo delicious!! hope the appearance went well!!
I needed dinner ideas and I think I will make the mini meatloafs! Yay!
Wow. I just printed 4 of these recipes! Can’t wait!
Love, love, love these recipes and can’t wait to try them! I gave you a big plug on my blog (nothing like yours — I rarely have time to write anything for it). I tell everyone about your site and book!
i want one of everything please
Italian Meatless meatloaf looks so good! I just need pinto beans and it is on
Oh that noodle salad looks especial great!
Thanks for the ideas…I was at a total loss. Gonna make my Hunny some brownies (and reap the grateful smooches).
Hope you have a Happy Hearts Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day Mama Pea!
I personally feel like I have twins “girls” everytime I see one of your desserts!
Happy Valentine’s Day Mama Pea!
For lunch today I tried the chickpeas and dumplings, oh my these are over the top!! Some kind of goodness.
I love the Lava Cakes! They have become my go-to dessert when I need chocolate asap!
I’m making the lava cakes tonight! They’re perfect because, as you obviously know, they serve 5 people, and my family has 5 people! But we only have 4 ramekins right now…so I think I’m going to eat mine the minute it comes out of the oven (uh…like I wouldn’t anyway), wash the ramekin, and refill it and bake the 5th one. Great plan.
OMG the chocolate lava cakes grabbed my attention and held it. I don’t care if I’m single this VDay, I’m making one for myself!!!
Meatloaf muffins and the brownies! Actually, everything… yum!
Hope your appearance went well! These all look delicious.
~Emily~
I just thought I should share my “Lady & The Tramp” noodle experience. The pure silliness of it all caused me to laugh so hard! The only problem? With a noodle puckered between my lips, the laugh came with much force right through my nostrils, spraying my poor spouse on the mouth with, yep… snot! I had tears rolling down my face with laughter; he on the other hand was a little on the peeved side.
So romantic.
Just watched your video and you are so adorable, and the donuts looks wonderful too! I tried the smoked sea salt over the weekend, and can’t wait to make the donuts with the maple and the salt! yum
Thanks, Susan! Hope you try the donuts, they are fab!
I made the Chocolate Lava cakes last night for my family. My toddler actually had the nerve to say it was “too sweet” (could this actually be my child??). No matter, more for me. It was awesome. BTW, I got 6 ramekins out of it for some reason (and I think I have the same exact green ramekins in the photo). Like I said, more for me!
These all look fab! in your spare time, ha ha, could you invent something awesome with barley? I love it and despite my best efforts, are still trying to find good ways to use it. I throw it in soups and have tried it in one casserole, but how many times can you eat the same casserole??? Just an idea.
Just made your Black Forest Brownies. They are totally yum and oh so satisfying!
I’ve also made your Italian Style Meatloaf Muffins & Chocolate Lava Cakes. Both are very good! Sure do appreciate all your great recipes!
You da bomb, Mama Pea!