Thursday, February 13, 2014

10 Valentine’s Day Recipes

Sometimes going out for Valentine’s Day can be a hassle because everyone is out to eat that night.  Staying in, preparing a tasty and special dinner can be much more relaxing.  Here are a few of our favorites to enjoy the special day:

Crockpot Balsamic Pork with Apples and Squash – This dish is extremely flavorful, and pairs really well with a  red wine (we love Cherry Wine).  The best part – you can prep it entirely ahead of time, and the crockpot does the majority of the work.

Lasagna Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms – If you like mushrooms and can find portabella mushroom caps this time of year, this is the perfect Valentine’s Dinner.  They are so easy to make, and just like something you’d order at a top end restaurant.  Don’t skip the oven-roasted tomatoes on the top…. trust me. 

Crockpot Swiss Steak – If you haven’t guessed my theme by now…. this one should give it away.  Another easy to make crockpot meal.  This Swiss steak is a favorite at our house, and we rarely have it – steak is a treat here.  So, this could be an excellent way to go for your Valentine’s Day dinner. 

Parmesan Chicken Bake – This tender chicken dish is usually referred to as “melt in your mouth chicken” or “the best chicken dish ever”, and rightly so, it’s outstanding.  We made the recipe better for you – decreasing the fat for 40-50g/serving to 8g!  That’s a dinner you can make and feel good about eating. 

Savory Vegetable Tartlet – This is a fun and fancy pizza-like dish with an easy-to-make pastry crust and filled with cheese, tomatoes, garlic and spinach.  Serve this one with a flavorful soup, like roasted red pepper or the minestrone soup. 

And, for dessert:

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cake – This fantastic dessert can easily be halved to serve two. It’s really easy to make (1 bowl!) and the combination of dark chocolate and raspberries is fantastic. 

Baked Fudge - 1 bowl + two spoons. 

Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – Tasty and decadent.  Perfect for a little sliver of dessert. 

No-Bake Mixed Berry CheesecakeDelicious!  A dessert you can also make ahead and assemble just before eating.  Rich, but not overly so – you’ll enjoy topping off your meal with this one. 

And, in case you are interested in a fun breakfast too, try homemade English muffins cut out with a heart-shaped cookie cutter!

1 comment:

  1. That crockpot swiss steak sounds interesting. I have these great organic steaks that I have been dying to use with a new recipe. Thanks so much for the recipe, I am going to give this a try this weekend.

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