Looking for Valentines Day Recipes for three people.?
My fiance have been together for over a year now and this is our second valentines day together. Last year we made it special and went out and did the date thing. This year money is short but the one thing I can do is make a nice dinner. This year we are inviting my fiance’s mother to dinner because shes done so much for us, and we want to do something nice for her. What I am looking for is a couple of good recipes to use for this dinner. I’m not the worlds best cook but I am ok at cooking so it needs to be kind of easy to medium hard lol. I will have all day to cook so time isn’t the issue. What would be the best thing to make when your future mother in law is coming to Valentines Day dinner. I’m terribly nervous because she is a wonderful cook, and I don’t want to mess this up. Please help me.
I have a wonderful recipe for chocolate fondue that will knock your socks off. The best thing though, this recipe is super easy and can make an unusual and nice presentation.
Instead of the traditional fondue bowl that everyone shares I make individual dessert plates for everyone. I take the chocolate fondue and put in a tiny bowl and set it on a dessert plate. I then surround it with my favorite dippers. ( strawberries, pound cake cut into bite size, marshmallows, etc)
When I am ready to serve the dessert I add the chocolate fondue to the bowls and give everything a quick dusting with powdered sugar. Its easy because the fruit is added to the plates ahead of time.
Heres the recipe I use below. One variation to it…this can even be made in the microwave. I have used a large measuring cup and just warmed it in30 sec to 1 minute intervals. When I am ready to serve, I just hit it for another 30 seconds or so and pour it easily into bowls.
Anyway, heres the recipe. Its one of those, you cant go wrong recipes.
Chocolate Fondue Recipe: Valentines Day or Special Occasion Dessert
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1356510/chocolate_fondue_recipe_valentines.html?cat=22
How about starting with;
Fruit Salad with Poppy seed Dressing
Use fruits that are the freshest and ripest in this delicious salad recipe. The tiny amount of dry mustard adds a little kick to the dressing recipe that complements the sweet fruit.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 Tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. poppy seed
1/8 tsp. dry mustard
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup blueberries
1 peach, sliced
1 nectarine, sliced
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup cubed cantaloupe
1/2 cup raspberries
Preparation:
Combine honey, lemonade concentrate, oil, poppy seed, mustard, and salt in a clean small jar with a screwtop lid. Shake well to combine and chill until serving time.
Combine fruits in glass bowl and mix gently. Drizzle with poppy seed dressing and serve. Serves 6
Then you can serve up these really easy recipes as your main course;
CRISPY CHEESE-STUFFED CHICKEN
These chicken breasts with a surprise of cheese sealed inside will impress your guests.
Preparation time: 15 min Baking time: 20 min Yield: 4 servings
Heat oven to 400°F.
4(4-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 ounces Cheddar Cheese, cut into 4 (2×1/2×1/2-inch) strips
1/2 cup cornflake crumbs
1 ounce (1/4 cup) Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon seasoning salt*
1 egg, beaten
Cut a 3-inch slit in each chicken breast half to form pocket. Insert 1 strip cheese into each pocket. Secure each pocket with several toothpicks.
Combine crumbs, shredded cheese and seasoning salt in pie pan or shallow bowl. Place beaten egg in another pie pan or shallow bowl; dip chicken in egg. Lightly press both sides of chicken in crumb mixture to coat.
Place chicken onto greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.
Serve with:
GARDEN FRESH PILAF
This colourful rice pilaf is an easy side dish for any meal. Preparation time: 10 min Cooking time: 33 min
Yield: 4 (2/3-cup) servings
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon instant chicken boullion granules
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon sliced green onions
Place water, butter, chicken bouillon, garlic and pepper in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil (5 to 7 minutes). Add rice and carrots; return to full boil (3 to 4 minutes).
Reduce heat to low; cook until rice is tender (25 to 30 minutes). Stir in all remaining ingredients.
And:
GREEN BEANS A L’ORANGE
These green beans, with a hint of orange, are simple but special.
Preparation time: 10 min Cooking time: 17 min Yield: 4 servings
1 1/2 cups water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 pound fresh green beans
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons slivered almonds (or pine nuts,) toasted
2 teaspoons fresh orange peel zest
Bring water and salt to a full boil in 10-inch skillet; add beans. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes. Cover; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until beans are crisply tender (10 to 15 minutes). Drain; return beans to skillet.
Add all remaining ingredients; toss to coat. Cover; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until heated through (2 to 3 minutes).
Recipe Tip
To toast almonds, spread evenly in shallow baking pan. Bake at 350°F, stirring once, for 4 to 6 minutes or until lightly browned.
Serve the chicken on top of aprox. 1/2 cup of the pilaf
Try chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert…
References :
About.com
LandOLakes.com
Great Valentine’s Day recipes for novice cooks and busy people
Whether you’re new to cooking or are incredibly short on time, these great recipes will surely impress your Valentine and get raves. Quick and easy desserts, side dishes, and main dish recipes just about anyone can fix.
Baked Bananas With Coconut
These bananas are peeled, sprinkled with sugar, butter, lemon juice and coconut, then baked. What could be easier?
Braised Belgian Endive
This easy but very special side dish takes very little prep time, and it makes a terrific side dish to steaks or lamb.
Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
——-
Steak Diane
An easy skillet meal for two, so double the ingedient and you will have left ove. — made with rib-eye steaks and fresh herbs and butter. Simple yet elegant.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic
2 rib-eye steaks
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley
1 tablespoon minced chives
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Preparation:
In a large skillet over medium low heat, melt butter; sauté the sliced garlic, but do not brown. Remove garlic with slotted spoon. Add steaks; lightly brown on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes, or to desired doneness. Remove steaks to a serving platter; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add parsley, chives, and Worcester sauce into the pan drippings; stir and heat through. Pour juices over steaks.
——-
Mashed Potatoes
Delicious mashed potatoes are easy and always popular. This recipe is simply made with baking potatoes, milk, butter, and salt and pepper.
2 1/2 pounds Russet, or baking potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks, about 8 cups of cut up potatoes
1/4 cup milk or half-and-half, or more to taste
1/4 cup butter
3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Place potatoes in a 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
Drain potatoes thoroughly. For the smoothest potatoes, you can put the potatoes through a ricer at this point. Transfer to a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients to the bowl. With an electric hand-held mixer, beat potato mixture until light and creamy
———-
Peach Ambrosia
This is such a pretty dessert, and a snap to make. To make this look even more elegant, layer with vanilla yogurt or whipped topping in parfait glasses. Delicious!
++++++++++
Mississippi Mud Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups strong brewed coffee
1/4 cup bourbon or brandy
5 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
unsweetened cocoa powder
sweetened whipped cream or ice cream, for serving
Preheat oven to 275°. Sift the flour, salt, and the baking powder together ensuring it is mixed in well.
Combine the coffee, bourbon or brandy, chocolate, and butter or margarine in the top of a double boiler. Heat until the chocolate and butter have melted, stirring occasionally.
Pour the chocolate mixture into a large bowl. Using an electric mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sugar. Continue beating until the sugar has dissolved.
Raise the speed to medium and add the sifted dry ingredients. Mix well, then beat in the eggs and vanilla until thoroughly blended.
Pour the batter into a generously greased 3-quart bundt pan that has been dusted lightly with cocoa powder or flour. Adjust rack so cake will bake in top half of oven. Bake for about 1 hour 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.
Let cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then unmold onto a wire rack. Let cool completely.
When cake is cooled, dust lightly with cocoa powder. Serve with sweetened whipped cream or ice cream, if desired, or drizzle with chocolate or vanilla glaze.
—————-
References :
I have a wonderful recipe for chocolate fondue that will knock your socks off. The best thing though, this recipe is super easy and can make an unusual and nice presentation.
Instead of the traditional fondue bowl that everyone shares I make individual dessert plates for everyone. I take the chocolate fondue and put in a tiny bowl and set it on a dessert plate. I then surround it with my favorite dippers. ( strawberries, pound cake cut into bite size, marshmallows, etc)
When I am ready to serve the dessert I add the chocolate fondue to the bowls and give everything a quick dusting with powdered sugar. Its easy because the fruit is added to the plates ahead of time.
Heres the recipe I use below. One variation to it…this can even be made in the microwave. I have used a large measuring cup and just warmed it in30 sec to 1 minute intervals. When I am ready to serve, I just hit it for another 30 seconds or so and pour it easily into bowls.
Anyway, heres the recipe. Its one of those, you cant go wrong recipes.
Chocolate Fondue Recipe: Valentines Day or Special Occasion Dessert
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1356510/chocolate_fondue_recipe_valentines.html?cat=22
References :
You can get some valentine ideas and recipes from this free ebook, get it here:
http://www.mycookery.com/blog/category/valentines-day/
References :