Valentine’s Day is this Thursday, and we’re feeling excited—especially my five-year-old daughter, Phoebe. Her kindergarten class will host a small party with cookie decorating, games, treats, and exchanging Valentine’s cards. It’s the kind of simple fun that makes the holiday feel special.
I’m a sucker for the pink, red, and white decorations and candies that appear this time of year. Even more, celebrating with my girls has made the day sweeter. Seeing holidays through their eyes is a joy, and lately I’ve been trying to embrace my craftier side. I couldn’t resist little cupcake flags I found at Sew. Craft. Create.—they’re adorable and perfect for decorating cupcakes and other treats this weekend.
My husband and I usually stay home on Valentine’s Day and have dinner with the girls. The last time we went out for Valentine’s was probably before we had kids. These days I prefer home-cooked meals and quiet family evenings, though we still prioritize a regular date night with a babysitter at least once a month. After nearly missing a year of consistent date nights, we realized how important those evenings are for our relationship and family, so now we make sure to schedule them.
Wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day. One of our favorite appetizers for the occasion is Green Olive, Goat Cheese and Basil Crostini—simple, elegant, and easy to make. We’ll enjoy these before dinner and finish the evening with a small chocolate dessert.
Remember: we don’t need a single day to remind us to express love and appreciation. Those gestures are best when they happen every day.
Enjoy!
Print Recipe
Green Olive, Goat Cheese and Basil Crostini
5 mins
15 mins
20 mins
Appetizer
5 -6
Hip Foodie Mom
Ingredients
- 1/2 baguette sliced 1/2 inch thick and toasted
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil + more if needed; split
- Picholine Manzanilla or other green olives, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- Black kalamata olives chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2-1 teaspoon crushed garlic adjust to taste
- 3/4 cup soft goat cheese about 6 ounces; soft is easiest to spread
- about 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar plus more if needed
- 1/2 cup basil torn for garnish
Instructions
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Toast the baguette slices: heat 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the baguette pieces and toast until golden and crunchy on both sides.
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In a medium bowl, combine the chopped green and kalamata olives with the remaining olive oil and the crushed garlic.
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Assemble the crostini: spread about 2 teaspoons of goat cheese on each toasted slice, top with roughly 1 tablespoon of the olive mixture, drizzle a little balsamic vinegar over each, and finish with torn basil. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.
Recipe adapted from Food and Wine.
Sunday Supper
Here’s what the Sunday Supper group is sharing for Valentine’s Day—a variety of breakfasts, appetizers, mains, sweets, and drinks to inspire your celebration.
Valentine’s Day Breakfasts, Apps & Main Dishes:
- Asparagus, Clam & Bay Shrimp Pasta
- Bacon Double Cheese Burger Bites
- Cheese Stuffed Cannelloni
- Garlic Shrimp Bruschetta
- Green Olive, Goat Cheese & Basil Crostini
- Indian Shrimp Pulao
- Individual Beef “Phyll-ingtons”
- Ranch, Bacon and Cheese Crisps
- Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Portuguese Shrimp Dumplings (Rissóis de Camarão)
- Spicy Red Cabbage Quiche
Valentine’s Day Sweet Eats:
- Banana Bourbon Blondies
- Banana Cream Napoleon
- Brown Butter M&M Cookies
- Brown Butter Rolo Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Baumkuchen
- Chocolate Bread Pudding
- Chocolate Chip Banana Cake with Banana Cream
- Chocolate Covered Bacon
- Chocolate Covered Stuffed Strawberries
- Chocolate Mousse
- Chocolate Roll filled with Nutella Cream
- Chocolate Velvet Ice Cream with Cherry Sauce
- Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas with Chocolate Sauce
- Coconut Sweetheart Cookies
- Coeur a la Creme with Raspberry Sauce
- Cream Cheese Mints
- Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Mousse with Coconut Cream
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry Torte
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Almond Cloudless Cake
- Heart-Shaped White Chocolate Cakes with Raspberry Cream
- Homemade Cherry Mash Candies
- Maple-Date Bars
- Meyer Lemon Marmalade
- Mini Samoa Bundt Cakes
- Molten Chocolate Lava Cake
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes
- Pistachio and Chocolate Soufflé
- Raspberry Custard Tart
- Raw Fudge Love
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies
- Red Velvet French Macarons with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Filling
- Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
- Red Velvet Sugar Cookie Bars
- Red Wine Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Strawberry Valentine Cake Hearts
- Tres Leches Tea Cakes with Honey Riesling Soaked Fruit
- Valentine’s Bakewell Tarts
- Valentines Chocolate Apples
Valentine’s Day Drinks:
- Blood Orange Vodka Martinis
- Bloody Raspberry Cocktail
- Strawberry Gin Fizz
Valentine’s Day Tablescape: A Romantic Table For Two
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter on Sunday, February 10th to share Valentine’s recipes and ideas. The weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET—follow the #SundaySupper hashtag to join the discussion and see more recipes and photos on the group’s Pinterest board.