ROMANTIC FOOD IDEAS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

It's the time of the year again when everyone is feeling romantic.  I know, I should've posted this last week to give you guys time to prepare for the ingredients but I guess, last minute grocery shopping today is not too late. If there is any time of the year to get corny, mushy, or brave, it's now so go ahead and take this opportunity! :-)

Here' are some food ideas to make your loved ones feel special on the day of hearts.

Treat a loved one to breakfast in bed... Serve this heart shaped french toast with crisp bacon and maple syrup. This is fairly easy to make. You just need a heart shaped cutter to cut the bread.  You may serve this with a side of eggs... I like mine over easy. Then, make some good coffee or tea, or hot chocolate then top with a heart shaped marshmallow or spray whipped cream -heart shape of course. 


Here's the recipe below:

FRENCH TOAST WITH BACON AND MAPLE SYRUP

Recipe By: AAA

Ingredients:

1 piece egg

3 tablespoons milk

1/2 tablespoon sugar

1-2 tablespoons

3 pieces slice bread cut into heart shape

1 tablespoon butter

3 strips bacon, cooked 'til crisp

2-3 tablespoons maple syrup

Directions:

1.  Combine eggs, milk and sugar in a dish.  Mix well until combined.

2.  On medium heat, melt about 1-2 tsps. of butter on a non-stick griddle or saute pan.

3.  Dip bread on the egg mixture making sure that all sides are coated but don't soak too long as they will become soggy.

4.  Heat the griddle to medium high heat.  Melt some butter, then add the bread. Cook for about 1 minute per side or until golden in color.

5.  Place bacon strips diagonally on a plate, then top with the french toast. Drizzle with maple syrup. Serve warm.   

 Here are some scones, use the heart shaped cookie cutter as well for this.  You may also serve this for breakfast or for tea time with friends in the afternoon.  Serve with clotted cream and an assortment of jams.  This is best eaten as soon as they're baked, though, you may always reheat them in the toaster oven.

 Ok, for this one, these are almond cookie crisps or wafer thins... I turned them into ice cream sandwiches for some lasting dessert impressions.

 For your main entree, you may make this... Easy Pork Chops with Cranberry Sauce.  This is fairly easy to make.  It cooks in less than 30 minutes. With something as easy as this, there's time to think of other more important things on this special day.  


PORK CHOPS WITH ORANGE CRANBERRY SAUCE
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Recipe By: AAA

Ingredients:

2 pieces pork chops
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
SAUCE
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 tablespoon orange marmalade
2 tablespoons cranberry sauce 
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.  Season pork chops with salt and pepper.

2.  Heat olive oil in a saute pan on high heat.  Sear pork chops 3-5 minutes per side.

3.  Remove from heat and transfer in a plate.

4.  Meanwhile, lower the heat to medium.  On the same saute pan, gradually add the orange juice and marmalade.  Add the  cranberry sauce.  Bring to a slow simmer for 2-3 minutes or until slightly thickened.  Season with salt and pepper.

5.  Remove sauce from heat and pour over the pork chops before serving.  Serve with mashed potatoes or herbed rice.

To start off the dinner, you may serve this...Cream of Asparagus soup with heart shaped croutons. It's actually the garnish that makes this very presentable and appropriate for this occasion but here's a bit of information...Asparagus as a vegetable is in the aphrodisiac list :-)

 Other ideas that have a hint of red that you can make to eat with the family or give to a loved one is this... Raspberry Almond Meringue Bars and this next one...

Red velvet cupcakes...instead of putting the silver dragees, you may sprinkle these with heart shape candy sprinkles or pipe an XOXO on top of the cupcakes.  Both recipes may be found in the Home Cafe cookbook.


Ok, hope these ideas have been helpful.  Do let me know if you have questions.  Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!

MOIST BROWNIES FOR A COOKING CLASS

I'm so excited for tomorrow. I'll be having a cooking class with the kids and we will be holding it in my place instead. It will be a 3-day workshop so it will be very exciting.

Here's what we'll be making. It's a combination of the 2 summer cooking classes I did before in Living Well and compressed it for 3 days.

DAY 1:

a. Blueberry Pancakes
b. Buttermilk Waffles
c. Potato and Onion Fritata
d. Strawberry Smoothie
e. Spanish Hot Chocolate

DAY 2

a. Artichoke and Spinach Dip
b. Pumpkin Soup
c. Spaghetti and Meatballs
d. Cheesy Garlic Bread
e. Bananas Foster

DAY 3.

a. Nacho Chips with Cheese Dip and Tomato Salsa
b. Chicken Quesadilla
c. Beef Tacos
d. Moist Brownies
e. Chocolate Chip Cookies

On day 3, this is theMoist Brownies that we will be baking. I'm posting the recipe so I can share it with you too.

MOIST BROWNIES

Ingredients:

2/3 cup butter, cubed
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup granulated sugar
2 pieces eggs
1 teaspoon vanila extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325F. Grease and line an 8x8 inch square pan.

2. Place butter and sugar in a saucepan. Cook on low heat until melted and smooth.

3. Remove from heat. Add eggs one at a time.

4. Add the vanilla.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder and salt.

6. Gradually add the flour mixture in the egg mixture. Whisk just until combined.

7. Pour batter onto prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

8. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.