Valentine's Day Menu Ideas...

[agpjt413]

**XP on CAL & FOOD**

Anyone cooking for Valentine's Day? MH and I typically hangout at home on the 14th and cook together. However, we found out yesterday he's going to have to work until about 6-7pm Saturday so I was thinking about planning something special for when he comes home. I'm sure I'll be thumbing through quite a bit of recipes today (read - not getting anything done!). No dietary restrictions other than something low cal/low carb. Thanks in advance, ladies!!

[wannabmama]

All of my special ideas are not low cal I love doing things in the crockpot though if you have one and you can make some really awesome healthy things that way...that make the house smell warm and cozy and awesome. If you like crockpot cooking and want some ideas, this site has tons of great recipes. I've made a bunch and they've all been really yummy.
MH and I are going to a friend's whose tradition is chicken and waffles and we're bringing jalapeño Mac n cheese...so def not healthy or low carb ha!

m.skinnyms.com/category/recipes/skinny-slow-cooker/

[vh2014]

I'm a steak or scallops or shrimp and keep the sides simple type. I usually do something pretty with the plating (think high end restaraunt or watch some food channel LOL) and we set the table with the china so it's "special". Make it more about the atmosphere than the food.

[agpjt413]

Feb 12, 2015 9:19:24 GMT -5 @clgsquared said:

Order. Save your energy for BDing later!

Love the way you think!! Lol!

[agpjt413]

Feb 12, 2015 9:31:16 GMT -5 wannabmama said:

All of my special ideas are not low cal I love doing things in the crockpot though if you have one and you can make some really awesome healthy things that way...that make the house smell warm and cozy and awesome. If you like crockpot cooking and want some ideas, this site has tons of great recipes. I've made a bunch and they've all been really yummy.
MH and I are going to a friend's whose tradition is chicken and waffles and we're bringing jalapeño Mac n cheese...so def not healthy or low carb ha!

m.skinnyms.com/category/recipes/skinny-slow-cooker/

OMG - I'm salivating...that sounds awesome! Re: no low carb recipes...MH chose a great time to go on a low carb kick, didn't he?! I'll definitely take a look at that site, thanks! (that jalapeño mac & cheese sounds heavenly!)

[agpjt413]

Feb 12, 2015 10:01:11 GMT -5 vh2014 said:

I'm a steak or scallops or shrimp and keep the sides simple type. I usually do something pretty with the plating (think high end restaraunt or watch some food channel LOL) and we set the table with the china so it's "special". Make it more about the atmosphere than the food.

We did surf n' turf this past Monday for our anniversary...but don't get me wrong, we LOVE red meat! I might check out 50 Shades of Chicken recommended by another member of CAL. I will def take you up on your idea of pretty playing and special china - I didn't even think of that! Thanks!

[wannabmama]

My favorite low carb...not low cal...is Alcatra. It's a Portuguese beef stew, we put over crusty bread to soak the juice, but would be good on its own. It is amazing and pretty easy and unique. Here's the recipe just in case...

(And jalapeño Mac n cheese is the most insanely good recipe I've tried recently, DH asks for it two or three times a week. We at least use protein pasta...not that that really helps make it healthy ha!)

Alcatra
5 lbs roast. 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, 2 cup red wine, 3/4 cup water or beef stock, 1 can of tomato sauce, 1/2 chopped onion, 8 garlic cloves , whole pepper and allspice seeds (about 20 each)1/2 cup olive oil, Pinch of cumin. Cut up roast in large pieces and put in large stock pot. Season with all spices and pour all liquids in with meat. Add onions and pour tomato sauce over meat. Cover and cook in crockpot for 6 hours. Add water or beef stock to pot as liquid
is absorbed. Serve over sourdough or french baguette.

[momtex]

Not low cal/low carb but I would do fondue and booze. I will dip just about anything into a melty pot of fancy cheese! Chocolate one for desert.

[agpjt413]

Feb 12, 2015 11:01:05 GMT -5 wannabmama said:

My favorite low carb...not low cal...is Alcatra. It's a Portuguese beef stew, we put over crusty bread to soak the juice, but would be good on its own. It is amazing and pretty easy and unique. Here's the recipe just in case...

(And jalapeño Mac n cheese is the most insanely good recipe I've tried recently, DH asks for it two or three times a week. We at least use protein pasta...not that that really helps make it healthy ha!)

Alcatra
5 lbs roast. 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, 2 cup red wine, 3/4 cup water or beef stock, 1 can of tomato sauce, 1/2 chopped onion, 8 garlic cloves , whole pepper and allspice seeds (about 20 each)1/2 cup olive oil, Pinch of cumin. Cut up roast in large pieces and put in large stock pot. Season with all spices and pour all liquids in with meat. Add onions and pour tomato sauce over meat. Cover and cook in crockpot for 6 hours. Add water or beef stock to pot as liquid
is absorbed. Serve over sourdough or french baguette.

Thank you! This sounds fantastic. Might save it for another day Oh and please share your jalapeño mac & cheese when you get a chance!

[agpjt413]

Feb 12, 2015 11:03:56 GMT -5 momtex said:

Not low cal/low carb but I would do fondue and booze. I will dip just about anything into a melty pot of fancy cheese! Chocolate one for desert.

That's actually not a bad idea and could be fun AND sexy! Believe it or not cheese is low-no carb! Every time MH goes on his low-no carb kick, he can pack away some cheese!! I didn't believe him when he first told me but then I picked up a pack of sliced American and saw that total carb = ZERO...my mind was blown! I typically pick up this variety pack at Costco by Cello. It has Gouda, Havarti, Cheddar and Swiss. And we still have some blocks left from the cheese roadshow Costco had a few months ago - YUM!!

[octavia65]

We are huge fans of America's Test Kitchen/Cook's Illustrated. Their recipes can be a bit intense but they work every time. My biggest pet peeve is spending money on ingredients and time on cooking and ending up with a "meh" meal. We have a subscription to Cook's but all the ATK recipes that appear on their current season are free online. Same goes for Cook's Country recipes (their other show). MH just made the Vietnamese Beef Phô and it was delightful! The Grilled Fish Tacos are also fantastic! Honestly every recipe is good.

[agpjt413]

Feb 12, 2015 14:36:12 GMT -5 octavia65 said:

We are huge fans of America's Test Kitchen/Cook's Illustrated. Their recipes can be a bit intense but they work every time. My biggest pet peeve is spending money on ingredients and time on cooking and ending up with a "meh" meal. We have a subscription to Cook's but all the ATK recipes that appear on their current season are free online. Same goes for Cook's Country recipes (their other show). MH just made the Vietnamese Beef Phô and it was delightful! The Grilled Fish Tacos are also fantastic! Honestly every recipe is good.

I just had lunch an hour ago and I'm salivating! Thanks!

[rnmommy]

I thought I posted in this yesterday. I'm making chicken marsala and mashed potatoes with a chocolate and white chocolate layered mousse. It's our traditional Valentine's Day dinner and the only time I make chocolate mousse!

[flyliceandcoffee]

I think we're making sweet corn ravioli with a cream sauce. Sooooo good!

[agpjt413]

Feb 13, 2015 13:29:40 GMT -5 rnmommy said:

I thought I posted in this yesterday. I'm making chicken marsala and mashed potatoes with a chocolate and white chocolate layered mousse. It's our traditional Valentine's Day dinner and the only time I make chocolate mousse!

That's such a great idea to have a traditional Valentine's day dinner menu!! That mousse sounds awesome!!

[agpjt413]

Feb 13, 2015 14:45:38 GMT -5 flyliceandcoffee said:

I think we're making sweet corn ravioli with a cream sauce. Sooooo good!

YUM!!!! (recipe if you have it, please )

[momtex]

Feb 13, 2015 14:45:38 GMT -5 flyliceandcoffee said:

I think we're making sweet corn ravioli with a cream sauce. Sooooo good!

I'm interested in a recipe too!

[wannabmama]

Here's jalapeño mac n cheese: (it's a recipe I adapted from online so this is an approximation of the version I use now)

Cook pasta (1lb) (elbow, rotini, something similar). Drain but reserve 1/2 c of water.

Heat 2 1/2 c half n half in saucepan until simmers, keep at a simmer until reduced by about 1/2. Add 8 oz cream cheese (I use Neufchâtel, it seems to melt better and is at least a tad less rich). Cook until blended. Add 3-5oz grated or chopped Gruyere and 8 oz grated sharp cheddar. Cook until all melted/blended.

Mix in 1/2c pickled jalapeños and 1/2c pickled jalapeño juice, to taste. Sprinkle with cayenne (optional).

Fold in milk mixture, pasta, and reserved water in baking dish. Mix will be very liquid it pasta will absorb while cooking.

Top with breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and a few pickled jalapeño rings.

Cook at 350 for 20-30mins until bubbly (I put under the broiler at the end to crisp the top).

The original recipe calls for an additional step of cooking chopped, de-seeded fresh jalapeños in butter and adding that to the mix. I don't do it--it's another step and it's good without it.

I play around with the exact measurements--I usually make a little less pasta and up the Gruyere to even parts with the cheddar, it's got great flavor and melts really well. You can increase or decrease the heat based on the amount of jalapeños, too (fresh ones will up the heat some). I use a little less pasta so it's really cheesy and gooey, otherwise I think it risks being a little too little sauce for heavier pasta (I use rotini).

Bon appetit!

[flyliceandcoffee]

Corn Ravioli in Basil Cream Sauce:

2 ears fresh sweet corn, shucked and removed from the cob (honestly, I use a can of sweet corn because I'm lazy)
3 tablespoons red bell pepper, minced/diced (I use about half a pepper)
3 tablespoons sweet onion, minced/diced (I use about half an onion)
10+ fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
black pepper
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 pinch nutmeg, ground
6 oz ricotta cheese, room temp
6 oz cream cheese, room temp
1 package wonton wrappers
2 egg yolks, beaten
3 tablespoons Parmesan, grated

Melt butter in saute pan, add in corn, red bell pepper and onion. Let saute until onion is translucent and corn has released some of its sugars. Add in 1/2 of the basil leaves and a some black pepper. Add in 1/4 cup heavy cream and reduce by half. Set aside to cool.

When cool, smash up a bit with a fork, stir in ricotta and cream cheese. Place wonton wrappers down and place 1 1/2 teaspon filling into the center of each. Brush exposed wrapper with egg yolk, place a second wrapper on top and carefully seal edges, maing sure to get out any air bubbles. If you want to cut it with a cookie cutter to get a round shape, go for it.

When finished, boil water and gently add raviolis a few at a time, cooking for 2 minutes or until they float. Carefully remove and drain (I actually bake mine at 350 until browned).

For sauce: In a clean saute pan, melt remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, when melted, add in remaining basil. Saute until crisp and butter is very lightly browning. Add in remaining cream and reduce to thickened. Salt and pepper to taste, serve over raviolis. Garnish with parmesan.

[wannabmama]

Flyliceandcoffee that sounds amazing!

[lolbraun]

Sounds delicious... Especially the Mac and cheese

[teenybenoit]

I'm on low carb high fat but you could alter the recipe a little, I am doing lasagna with zucchini as my noodles. And if you find some cute heart shaped individual ramekins it makes it all the more special. I use either fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes with a can of paste to thicken and that is less sugar then canned or jar spaghetti sauce. Use good quality mozzarella and you could use ground turkey instead of ground beef? Lots of herbs and some Parmesan.
Use a vegetable peeler to make the zucchini into strips, layer between strips, sauce and cheese and bake till the cheese is golden. About 30 min at 350.

[agpjt413]

Thank you so, so much ladies!!! And thank you for sharing these recipes - they sound AMAZING!!! Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day!! ❤️❤️❤️

[agpjt413]

Thought I forgot a recipe request!! rnmommy Can you share your tuxedo mousse recipe please? Any time is fine...I'll tuck it away for perhaps MH's Bday in April

[rnmommy]

agpjt413,I make 2 types of mousse and just layer them in a pretty glass. I use these:
allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?recipeID=222649&origin=detail&servings=2&metric=false
www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/white-chocolate-mousse-recipe.html

[agpjt413]

Feb 14, 2015 12:23:28 GMT -5 rnmommy said:

agpjt413,I make 2 types of mousse and just layer them in a pretty glass. I use these:
allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?recipeID=222649&origin=detail&servings=2&metric=false
www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/white-chocolate-mousse-recipe.html

OMG sounds amazing!!! Thank you!!

[rnmommy]

Feb 14, 2015 12:39:46 GMT -5 agpjt413 said:

Feb 14, 2015 12:23:28 GMT -5 rnmommy said:

agpjt413,I make 2 types of mousse and just layer them in a pretty glass. I use these:
allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?recipeID=222649&origin=detail&servings=2&metric=false
www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/white-chocolate-mousse-recipe.html

OMG sounds amazing!!! Thank you!!

You are so welcome! Enjoy it!

[rnmommy]

For breakfast this morning I made heart shaped red velvet waffles, strawberry sauce and heart shaped bacon. Happy Valentine's day, ladies! Fingers crossed that everyone has a teeny valentine in diapers next year!