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 Cheesecake – Delicious!  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!

Mini Heart Pizzas

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Whip up a batch of these quick heart pizzas for lunch or dinner – your family is sure to enjoy them, especially if you let them top their own!

Mini Heart Pizzas

Ingredients

• Whole Wheat English Muffin Hearts
• Quick Freezer-Friendly Pizza Sauce
• Shredded cheese, of your choosing (we used mozzarella and cheddar)
• Meaty toppings: Canadian bacon, pepperoni, bacon bits
• Veggie toppings: Mushrooms, bell peppers, black olives, spinach, diced

Directions

Take your English muffin hearts (get the recipe here), or other English muffins and slice them in half. 

Slather each half with pizza sauce.  If you are short on pizza sauce, just use tomato paste seasoned with garlic, basil and oregano. 

Top each half with desired toppings – start with the meat, then veggies and end with the cheese. 

Place on a cookie sheet or oven rack and toast at 450 degrees for 5-7 minutes.  Watch carefully to make sure they don’t burn.  We used our toaster oven for this!

Serve warm.  Perhaps alongside tomato soup?  Get the recipe here.

Enjoy & Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day Ideas–Eat at Home!

Didn’t make reservations for Valentine’s Day? 

Don’t worry – we didn’t either.  In fact, we’ve never gone out for Valentine’s Day.  Instead, we celebrate by enjoying a special meal or dessert at home.  Hope these inspire you!

Blueberry & Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast – A real treat for breakfast, especially if you cut the toast into heart shapes!  Go extra red for Valentine’s Day and use strawberries or raspberries in place of the blueberries.  Get the recipe here. 

Apple Danish – We love these and they are truly a treat for breakfast.  If you’d like, use cherries or a combination of raspberries and strawberries to make the breakfast more festive.  They are really quite easy to make!  Get the recipe here. 

Roasted Red Pepper Soup – If you are looking for a lighter meal or an appetizer soup, give this one a go.  Yummy roasted red peppers and potatoes make a perfect soup.  We love it served with pizza-stuffed pretzels or a nice salad.  Get the recipe here. 

Roasted Veggie Parmesan – This is a fantastic way to eat your veggies & enjoy them too!  Roasting vegetables brings out amazing flavor, couple that with Italian sausage and Parmesan cheese and you have a great dinner.  Get the recipe here. 

Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini Bake – An easy dish to put together, yet amazing in taste.  Splurge on good, fresh tortellini rather than the dried variety and you will think you are out to eat!  Get the recipe here. 

Parmesan Crusted Chicken – This meal takes just about 30 minutes, and your family will think you are eating at a high-end restaurant.  Promise.  It’s amazing.  Get the recipe here.

Sweet & Sour Chicken – Bring the take out to you, in your own kitchen!  This baked sweet & sour chicken tastes like a replicate of your favorite Chinese dish.  Toss in some bell peppers and pineapple and enjoy!  Get the recipe here. 

Re-Create a Special Meal – We recreate our wedding meal annually, and it’s one of our favorites.  Don’t have a special meal to recreate, then I recommend ours! Yummy baked chicken Alfredo. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Chicken Parmesan – Want to make a nice meal but don’t have time to be at home?  Try this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan recipe!  The chicken melts in your mouth and the flavor is incredible.  Plus, it cooks while you are away.  Get the recipe here. 

Baked Fudge – If you are looking for a gooey, delicious dessert this is the one to make.  Originally a Pioneer Woman recipe, I’ve made it healthier and it still tastes amazing.  Serves 4, but can easily be halved to serve just two.  Get the recipe here.

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cake – This is a family favorite recipe.  For just a small dessert, make a half recipe and bake it in a pie plate.  Get the recipe here. 

Sweetheart Cake – Not entirely from scratch, but yummy and filled with cherries.  Great for dessert, especially if you are sharing it with others.  Get recipe here. 

Brownie Strawberry Layers – Fudgy brownies, pudding, and strawberries layer for a delicious dessert.  This one works well for a crowd, or hungry family too!  Get the recipe here.

Hope these recipes inspired you to think about eating at home this Valentine’s Day! 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Home with DIY Meal Ideas

If you don’t already have reservations for Tuesday night, you’re likely stuck.  Valentine’s Day is likely the most popular night for a nice romantic dinner out. 

I say – scrap that.  Save the money and wow your spouse with an amazing meal at home. Better yet, make a whole day of it with these easy and romantic ideas. 

Start off with breakfast in bed….

Enjoy a wonderfully romantic dinner….

All of these dinners pair wonderfully with bread – Copy Cat Olive Garden Breadsticks, Copy Cat Red Lobster Cheesy Biscuits, Cheese-Stuffed Breadsticks and Tomato Basil Bread are some of our favorites.  Add a side of steamed green veggies like broccoli or green beans and you are all set!

Top it off with decadent dessert…

Will you be staying in for Valentine’s Day?  If so – what’s your favorite thing to make for your family? 

Linked to: Tasty Tuesday