Meal Plan Monday: Valentine's Day Dinner!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
I hope everyone is having a very romantic day so far, although it's a Monday so don't feel bad if you're not :)
I had a very Romantic morning I can't wait to share with you my Valentine's Day gift. Lee out did himself this year. Although every year he seems to do something romantic, But this year I truly thought he had forgot.

With it being Meal Plan Monday I wanted to share with you our Meal Plan for Valentine's Day.

First last night I made cupcakes for Lee and some extras to take to work with him (he secretly buys work friends with cupcakes).
They are chocolate cupcakes, with pink vanilla icing. And just for Valentine's Day I bake a batch of brownies and use a small heart shaped cookie cutter, to cut out little brownie hearts for on top.

I am meeting Lee for lunch at the little sandwich shop near his work and then hitting the grocery store.
For dinner I am making something new. I typed in Valentine's Day Pasta (because Lee loves Pasta) and this recipe came up:
http://www.oprah.com/food/You-Wont-Be-Single-for-Long-Vodka-Cream-Pasta
It's Rachael Ray's most romantic meal. They "You Won't be single for Long Vodka Cream Pasta" seeing as I haven't been single for a long time, I'm changing it to "I don't want to be single again Vodka Cream Pasta".
This recipe got rave reviews on the food network site, 472 rave reviews to be specific, I can't wait to try it.

Here's the recipe:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, once around the pan in a slow stream
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, minced
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)
• Coarse salt and pepper
• 16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn
• Crusty bread, for passing

Directions

Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots. Gently saute shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness. Add vodka to the pan, 3 turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup. Reduce vodka by half, this will take 2 or 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it). While pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.
Stir cream into sauce. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat. Drain pasta. Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves. Pass pasta with crusty bread.

I'm planning on serving it with a Salad, the crusty bread and for desert, Leftover Brownies from the cupcake hearts with ice cream and whipped cream on top :) YUM
I'll also be taking pictures of my Valentine's Surprise to share with you tomorrow!
Wishing everyone A super HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Filled with lots of Love and CHOCOLATE :)