The wonderful day of St. Valentine is quickly approaching, and the best way to celebrate is with some delicious, belly-warming food. Whether it is for your boyfriend/girlfriend, a best friend, even a family member, love should most definitely be shared with one another and spread around to all. The easiest way to do so is through sharing a meal. Put on some Norah Jones, have a glass of wine, and start cooking…it will make anyone’s valentine’s day complete. Have a wonderful day filled with yummy food, love, and compassion!
Appetizer: Baked Brie and a dollop of raspberry jam
Ingredients:
· 1 package of crescent rolls or 1 large sheet puff pastry dough
· 1 wheel of brie cheese (paying a bit extra here really makes a difference), keep rind (if you like the taste)
· Raspberry jam
· 2-3 tsp of brown sugar
Directions: Wrap the wheel or round of brie in the pastry dough, before closing, add a layer of raspberry jam (shouldn’t be thicker than ½ inch), then close the dough. Sprinkle brown sugar on top. Throw it in the oven at 350° for ~25 minutes. Eat right away.
Salad: Spring mix, balsamic vinaigrette (to make your own, ¼c balsamic vinegar, ¾ cup olive oil, a little brown sugar, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste), goat cheese, toasted pecans, and craisins.
Main entrée: Quinoa (buy at Trader Joe’s, Hannafords, Whole Foods, or Shaws).
Water is okay, but for a really yummy taste, you’ll need veggie or chicken stock, 2 cups stock: 1 cup quinoa equivalence. Bring stock and quinoa together to a boil, then put it on low- medium, cover and wait until fully absorbed. Add any sautéed veggies you dig (mushrooms, onions, zucchini, broccoli). Don’t be too conservative with salt + pepper and add a good amount; quinoa can be a little bland unless well seasoned. Be creative here, quinoa is a great base and can be good plain or with whatever you add in.
Side dish: Roasted Butternut Squash
Get 1-2 medium sized squash. Peel off the rind (may be easier to chop it off with a knife). Chop into cubes. Throw into a pan. Drizzle on olive oil, salt and pepper, put it in the oven at 350° for 20-25 min.
Dessert (the best part):
Option 1: Chocolate covered strawberries- Melt some chocolate (with a tiny bit of oil to keep it liquidy). Dip in the strawberries, then throw them in the fridge until solidified.
Option 2: Nestle Tollhouse- Nothing more needs to be said.