I’m a lady… and this Valentine’s Day I’m going to treat myself like a lady. I’ll open doors for myself. I’ll pour myself the first glass of wine. I’ll let me eat the last soft french fry. I’ll drape my coat over a puddle for me to walk across. I’ll slyly check myself out as I walk by. Huh? I’ll buy myself movie tickets and tell me I look pretty today. That’s how it’s going to go down. Except… I won’t put my jacket in a puddle because that’s just dumb. Who does that? Dummies.
This Valentine’s Day is going to get pretty glamorous. I’m going to make myself a sandwich, scoop up some olives and drink a perfectly reasonable amount of wine. Dig it.
This Valentine’s Day, I’d also like to tell these people that I love them… because I do. I love you Asher, Launa, Lauren, Whitney, Zach, Rachel, Jenelle (you crazy lady), Jill, Kitten and Michael. I love you all so much. I love you enough to throw chocolate at you and run away. Wait… what? Let’s make out. Nevermind.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and you.
It’s a good day to love people. It also seems like a good day to love olives and marbles and wine.
Don’t confuse olives and marbles in your mouth. Mistake.
I’m no rocket scientist. Yea. Duh. This sandwich isn’t a genius combination of ingredients. It is super delicious and melty and green and salty. So at least there’s that.
This is the world in which I’ll be shoveling this sandwich into my face.
Cat eats my olives.
Oh! And this is what I’m having for dessert.
It’s a banana stuffed with dark chocolate and white chocolate and salted peanuts and shredded coconut. I wrapped it in foil and baked it in the oven. When I was a kid we would pull this sort of stunt while at sleep away camp, but we’d cook the foil covered bananas in the campfire. That’s livin.
Also… don’t be alarmed that the baked banana peel will be black. That’s what happens when bananas peels are baked. The inside will be a warm baked banana topped with melted chocolate, et al. But… it’s not like this is a fancy show piece dessert. It’s more of a dessert-for-one sort of situation.
Now this is the part where I give you instructions on how to make a sandwich…. as if you don’t already know…. forgive me.
Spinach Goat Cheese Ham Sandwich
Makes: one sandwich
2 slices whole wheat or sourdough bread
2 tablespoons goat cheese, softened
handful of fresh spinach leaves
4 slices thin sliced ham
whole grain mustard
fresh ground black pepper
scant 1 tablespoon butter for the skillet
Place a skillet over medium low heat and melt butter.
Spread one tablespoon of goat cheese on each slice of bread. Top one slice with spinach and the other slice with ham. Spread a bit of whole grain mustard atop the ham and smush the two pieces of bread together. Grill on either side until golden brown and delicious. Remove from skillet. Allow to cool for two or three minutes before cutting in half. Enjoy with olives and wine.
Baked Bananas
Makes: one banana
1 banana
2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
1 tablespoons white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon sweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon roasted and salted peanuts
Place a rack in the center of the oven and place a baking sheet on the rack. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut the head and butt of of a whole banana. Slice lengthwise down the peel (not through the entire banana, just the peel) and open the peel, revealing just the top of the banana.
Stuff banana with chocolate chips, coconut and cuts. Wrap loosely in foil and place on baking sheet to cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before unwrapping and enjoying straight from the peel. Get in there.
Shushmi
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY lovely joy!
/hope that you are showered with love and chocolate and kitten kisses. :)
Jennifer
You are one talented lady. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Three-Cookies
Great post, all the best. Interest approach for making baked banana, banana, coconut and peanuts is a great combination.
laura
i’m totally serving that banana at a dinner party. it’s cute, facinating & oh, it’ll have them talking about it for weeks.
you just wait, this will be huge!
baked banana’s will be a hit. take my word!
Brieanne Elise
Dang. That looks so singles awareness day worthy.
Specially the olives.
Also, huge fan of the banana dessert! I have made similar, only with the addition or baileys.
What. Is. Up. Delish.
Much Love!
nileta
lovely post! you go girl :)
xx*
coffeeaddict
Oh gosh, you’re gonna have a lot of fun today I can see ;-)
Your cat is too too adorable for words! Figures a food lover like you would have a gourmet cat.
Mary
A big hi from mumbai, india.love your site and your style of writing. :D have a blessed day joy.
joythebaker
what’s up, india!? excellent.
Daria i Jarek
Nothing better than start your day like this!!! Absolutely simple and gorgeous sandwich and banana!!!! The cat is great too :)
Oh, wish you all your days like this and lots and lots of lovely people around you to make your days….
oh, by the way: We’re here first time so hope to come and visit you more often!!
D&J
Katy
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy! Maybe only dummies do it, but I’d happily throw my coat over a puddle if that banana were waiting for me on the other side! Thank you for sharing; looks like my Valentine’s Day breakfast has been decided. :)
Stacy
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy!
Lisa
I am a fan of your website and this is another great post :-) Love the pictures and love the cat! :-D Will definitely try out the recipes especially with the bananas.
amanda
mmm banana boat. i love. also i love an Asher too- thats my little boys name! happy valentines day lady- keep makin good food and me laugh!!!
Nicola
That banana? Genius. GENIUS.
And the style of your writing (never mind your gorgeous photos and recipes) is just wonderful. You’ve got such great flow happening! It’s like we’re all sitting down having a chat with you in that sunny little spot around your coffee table. No distance!
Now excuse me while I go mess with my bananas….