How About Something Special for Valentine's Day?

It's that time of year again.  The day that many people either love or hate.  That day is "Valentine's Day" and it is usually because you do or don't have someone special in your life (boyfriend/husband or girlfriend/wife).  I think we all have someone special in our lives. They may not be that "love of our life" we all desire but most have someone to share the day.  So let's enjoy the day and do something special.

I know it's a day of chocolates and flowers (especially roses) and hopefully a special meal.  That meal for most is one enjoyed at a restaurant.  Such a meal can be very costly and not so intimate because of all the other customers doing the same thing.

So why not do something special at home and cook that special meal together.  You can do it for much less than the restaurant price and even go a little fancier.  You're not rushed and you can have displays of affection that don't embarrass the two of you and the others around you at a restaurant.  You can even have dessert first and then have the meal.

I have two recipes this week that help meet those needs.  For a main entree, I have "Baked Lobster Tails" and you can add a small steak if you wish.  The other recipe is for a dessert.  It's an easy to make "Light  Lemon Cheesecake" that won't leave that heavy feeling when you're done.  I'd maybe add a little salad and a simple starch to complete the meal.  Many grocery stores now have twice baked potatoes at their meat counters that just need to be warmed up.  Just put them in the oven a little ahead of the lobster tails.

You should be able to make this meal for two around $40 with a bottle of wine included.  This meal at a restaurant would be in the $100 range before tax and tip for two people.  Not to mention that it will probably be more enjoyable too.

If this isn't your cup of tea.  I have other recipes already on this blog that you may want to consider.  Here are some examples for you:  Baked Salmon with Sun-dried Tomato Basil Pesto, Butterfly Coconut Shrimp, Chicken Marsala or Grilled Flank Steak for an entree.

A couple of desserts are:  Chocolate Chip Cheesecake (V), English Walnut Pie (V) or 

Mandarin Orange Cake (V).

If none of these recipes work for you look for some others.  The key point is to get you to cook a special meal for that loved one and enjoy the time together.  I hope everyone has a wonderful "Valentine's Day" that meets your personal needs.  For those of you that don't have that special person.  Enjoy the meal with some really good friends because the day is what you want to make it.  "Happy Cooking!"