Valentine’s Day is less than a week away. While some people enjoy going out to eat to celebrate, I always found the food and service to be subpar. For my time and money, eating at home is much
more romantic, tasty, and rewarding than spending big money on a price fixed abbreviated menu.
Since I’m saving more by eating at home I try to choose recipes that are a bit more special and I can splurge. My eldest son would have me serve “LOBSTER!” which isn’t a bad choice, but I’d rather not work so hard for my meal.
Fine cuts of steak, fresh seafood, and other favorites with ingredients from out of the norm for the weekly table are good places to start. As always, your family’s/Valentine’s palate need be consulted so dinner is a pleasurable experience for all.
And try to make the entire day a sweet one with heart-shaped foods, love notes, phone calls, and building of anticipation for the night ahead.
Set the table with the wedding china, crystal, and silverware. Use cloth napkins or, at the very least, the Valentine paper ones emblazoned with hearts.
The dinner menu I have planned for today’s post includes seafood, my husband's and my favorite. Because it is a work night I didn’t want anything complicated or difficult to clean up. Add a tossed salad and a delicious fresh baguette to this meal and dinner is finished!
Shrimp Pasta Primavera
Recipe from http://TasteofHome.com
Ingredients:
• 4 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
• 8 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 6 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 small plum tomato, peeled, seeded and diced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon each minced fresh basil, oregano, thyme and parsley
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
•Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute shrimp and asparagus in oil for 3-4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the mushrooms, broth, tomato, salt and pepper flakes; simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes.
•Drain pasta. Add the pasta and seasoning to skillet; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese. Yield: 2 servings.
Ideal for a couple, this recipe can be doubled or tripled to feed a family. Serve with wine and/or water for the adults and a mocktail for the children. Personally, I'm make or buy a heart-shaped pizza for the kids and serve this meal to my husband once the kids are in bed!
Now it is time for a show-stopping Valentine’s dessert. Don’t worry, this looks high-end, gourmet, and difficult, but it is easy. This recipe will make you look like a ROCK STAR!
Devilish Valentine’s Cake
Recipe from http://TasteofHome.com
Ingredients:
•1 package (9 ounces) devil's food cake mix
•3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
•1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping
•1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries
Directions:
•Grease a 9-in. heart-shaped baking pan. Line with waxed paper; grease and flour the paper. Set aside. Prepare cake batter according to package directions; stir in chocolate chunks. Pour into prepared pan.
•Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before inverting onto a serving platter. Spread warm cake with hot fudge topping. Arrange raspberries over the top. Yield: 6-8 servings.
Serve this with coffee, milk, or Prosecco for a sweet ending to the meal!
Remember Valentine’s Day is simply about expressing your love for one another. It is not about perfection, idealism, or anything else but plain emotion.
Enjoying a tasty special meal is a fun way to mark this mid-winter holiday that cheers up the doldrums that may have settled in and over-stayed its welcome.
Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day! I would love to know if you have tried these recipes and/or what you served at your celebration.
Please join me tomorrow for the week-ending and always popular Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.
Gosh ! I starvin' Marvin after reading this !
ReplyDeleteI'm still learning from you, while I'm trying to achieve my goals. I absolutely enjoy reading everything that is written on your site.Keep the tips coming. I loved it!
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Thanks for making my mouth-water and crave for your recipes especially the shrimp pasta. I tried mimicking that recipe and guess what? I made it exactly the way I wanted it to taste. Honestly, there are lots of great pasta recipes all over the net and this is really a good one. Just like the pasta recipes that i've found at Gourmetrecipe. bon appétit! :)
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