[dropcap]S[/dropcap]o, before we start, you must know what Galentine's Day is. Don't know? Well, the best way to find out is to watch Parks and Recreation, but to save you time, here is a brief overview. Galentine's Day is a wonderful holiday created for ladies by Leslie Knope. It falls on February 13th and is the best excuse to 86 the men in your life for a day and go hang out with your females.
Basically it's like Valentine's Day, but instead of doting on your S.O., you get to spread the love to your best girlfriends, who are after all your soul mates.
Leslie said it best when she clarified why this holiday was a necessity. "Hoes before bros, uteruses before dude-erusus, ovaries before brovaries."
So to celebrate after the fashion of lady-loving Leslie, just remember to remind yourself of Leslie's explanation of the holiday, "Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style."
What would Leslie recommend to make? Well, there are many options, but here are 15 that would certainly make her list.
1. Maple Belgian Waffle Cake
If you know Leslie Knope then you know that waffles are an essential ingredient not only on Galentine's Day, but in life. However, sometimes life basics need upgrades.
So instead of doing what everyone else is doing and serving waffles at your Galentine's brunch, serve a waffle cake instead. Get the recipe here.
2. Sweet Potato Cornmeal Waffles with Bourbon Cream and Pecan Butter
Yet another way to upgrade those waffles is with sweet potatoes. Now before you outright veto the idea of potato waffles, remember, this is what happens to a waffle when it's upgraded with Southern tradition.
Get the recipe here.
3. The Best Ever Pancakes
The next best thing to waffles might be pancakes. They may not have the same crunchy, waffly texture, but sometimes you have to make do.
Plus, they are a great when stacked in massive piles and drenched in syrup. Get a recipe here.
4. Vegetable Frittata
Other things on Leslie's list of Galentine's essentials is the frittata. After all, she explicitly says that for Galentine's, it's about "ladies celebrating ladies. It's like Lillith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas."
Get a recipe here.
5. Frittata Waffles
For those times when you can't decide whether to honor the Galentine's Day tradition with waffles or frittatas, you can do both.
Get the recipe here.
6. Double-Strawberry Angel Food Cake with Whipped Vanilla Creme Fraiche
Strawberries and cream are one of those beautifully paired couples that were just made for each other.
So celebrate your perfect friendships by bringing in the most inseparable pair ever created in the kitchen. Get the recipe here.
7. Chocolate Dipped Donuts
Celebrate your BFFs with true love in the shape of donuts. Sprinkle them with hearts and dip them in chocolate. Trust me, there is no better way to say "I love you."
Get the recipe here.
8. Lemon Ginger Scones
Bursting with bright lemons and accented with pockets of candied ginger, these scones are the ultimate brunch staple.
Besides, sometimes you need something that isn't chocolate-centric at a February brunch. Get the recipe here.
9. Beet, Blood Orange, and Chèvre Salad
This recipe is a perfect addition to your Galentine's Day brunch menu, not because everyone will love it, but because you will be able to say you beet the odds and remained friends for yet another year.
So cheers to you and your girlfriends! Get the recipe here.
10. Red Velvet Donuts
Brunch is one of those excuses where it becomes legit to eat cake before noon. So indulge to the max and whip up some red velvet donuts.
Just make sure to share some with your ladies! Get the recipe here.
11. Piña Colada Cupcakes
Indulge in one of the ultimate tropical drinks in cupcake form. Sure it might not be seasonally appropriate, but it will remind you that it's time to start planning those summer vacations with those same ladies who you're spending Galentine's Day with.
Get the recipe here.
12. Strawberry Chocolate Dessert Bars
Honestly, this is the result of having all the best parts of Valentine's Day smooshed into one compact dessert. Pull out all the stops this Galentine's and indulge in seasonal flavors like you've never indulged before.
All you need is chocolate, strawberries, sprinkles, and cream. Get the recipe here.
13. Peach Granita Sundaes
Alcohol + fruit granita. Need I really say more? Trust me, they're peachy.
Get the recipe here.
14. Blood Orange Bourbon Fizz with Fried Sage
For those who don't like lame jokes or who prefer a little more serious drinking at their brunch, try a bourbon fizz.
Injected with seasonal blood orange and classed up with a single leave of fried sage, this may be the perfect girl drink with which to celebrate Galentine's. Get the recipe here.
15. Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Martini
Of course if you don't like bourbon or want a drink a little more in the spirit of Valentine's, you can try a strawberry martini.
What could be a more perfect drink for the occasion? Get the recipe here.
