Happy Valentine's Day!

Be My Valentine

If you decide not to dine out this Valentine’s Day for dinner that’s probably the best idea you’ve made this year.  Why? I glad you asked, having dinner at home can empower you to be creative, healthier and happier. You can control and perhaps better manage the: who, what, when, where and why of the evening. Since Valentine’s Day is about appreciating a love one or acknowledging a relationship the “who” is your choice to share a special meal with. At home there are no reservations, traffic, waiting or distractions.

 Being creative with dinner can be expressed in menu selection, where the meal is consumed, time of the meal and of course the atmosphere. Do something special. Setting the table with the good china, cloth napkins, and fresh flowers on the table and or candles is expected. Something out of the ordinary would show that you have put a little thought into making dinner special. One of my clients’s had props set up in his living room to create an Arabian night’s theme; another client did a Romance in the City theme in the enclosed patio using lights and a back drop. With both themes the client’s and their partners dressed the parts of their themes. Some couples may schedule a photographer, massage therapist or violinist, classical guitar musician.

If you choose a theme the menu can be center around that theme. In general this is a day to treat yourself to something special that you may not regular include in your diet. On the other hand it can be a day to serve a heart healthy menu to express love.

Traditional in many areas of the United States entrees for Valentine’s dinner are Lobster, Filet Mignon or Shrimp.  Aphrodisiacs are purposely included many menus for Valentine’s Day. Here is a list to use to create a menu in which any dietary requirements could be met.

Out of the Sea

Sea Cucumber, Lobster, Shrimp, Shark, Clams, Conch, Blowfish, Seaweed, Tuna, Sea Urchin

Herbs and Spices

Cinnamon, Rosemary, Tarragon, Vanilla Saffron, Garlic, Nutmeg

Fruit and Vegetables

Strawberries, Apple, Acai Berry, Apricot, Avocado, Cherry, Cranberry, Raspberry, Watermelon Chili Pepper, Tomato, Peach, Pepper, Mango, Grapes, Celery, Pomegranate, Pumpkin

Beverage

Coconut Water, Red Wine, Absinthe, Coffee

Other Things considered

Mushrooms, Wedding cake, Lavender, Turkey, Nuts, Oats, Ginseng

If you are not a good cook or want to leave the cooking and menu planning to some one else hire a personal chef to prepare the meal, or do a couples cooking lesson in your kitchen. Whatever you choose to do with your Valentine be happy and enjoy each other.

Meatless Monday

Portobello Pizzas

SERVES 4       Picture and Recipe adapted from Vegetarian Times

Ingredients

• 4 giant Portobello mushroom caps (about 20 oz. total)
• 2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar, or more as needed
• 1 1/2 Tbs. basil pesto sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded combination low-fat mozzarella and provolone cheeses
• 2 oz. sun dried tomatoes chopped
• 6 artichoke bottoms (6 oz.), chopped
• 2 Tbs. (1 oz.) chopped oil-cured olives, optional
• Pinch oregano

Directions

1.       Preheat oven to 425F. Line baking sheet with foil, and spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Prep vegetables.

2.       Wipe mushroom caps clean, and remove stems. Using small spoon, gently scoop out black gills on underside of mushroom caps, and discard gills. Place mushrooms, cap side down, on foil-lined sheet.

3.       Combine balsamic vinegar and pesto in small mixing bowl, and brush mixture on mushroom caps. Place in oven, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until tender.

4.       Meanwhile, Chop the mushroom stems finely and place in a bowl. Add to the bowl 1 cup cheese, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke bottoms, olives and oregano, tossing to mix well. Remove mushrooms from oven, and, dividing mixture evenly, fill each cap. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over mushrooms.

5.       Bake 7 to 10 minutes more, remove from oven and serve.

 
Large Portobello mushroom caps are the foundation for mini pizzas, packed with the same intense flavors as the standard pizza-parlor pie but minus the calories. Serve with garlic toast and a tossed green salad, and end with an fresh oranges slices with cinnamon for dessert.

Count Down to Thanksgiving!

The festive part of the year is approaching us quickly. Have you begun planning your holiday menu yet? Now is a great time to start if you have not thought about your holiday meal. Nor is it too early to plan other upcoming  holidays like Chanukah , Christmas or Kwanza meals.

First on the agenda should be the menu. If the meal is a collaborative effort of family and friends,then deciding who will be preparing what from appetizers to desserts should be made very soon. Also do not forget to delegate who will be bringing the beverages.

In planning the menu please remember to keep those with special diets such as food allergies, diabetics, and vegan/ vegetarians in mind. Finding out any special dietary requirements in advance gives you the opportunity to plan and prepare dishes that everyone could enjoy at the dinner table.  The people with the special diet would be appreciative of the advance consideration and feel included in the festive dining experience.

Fall is a good time to try something new.

The fruits and vegetables that are in season now are:

Apples, artichokes, avocado, beets, bok choy, broccoli,

brussels sprouts, cabbage

carrots, cranberries, celeriac, chard, chestnuts, Greens, cranberries, daikon, fennel, guava, kiwi

kumquat, lemons, oranges, pears, persimmons, pomegranate, potatoes, quince

rutabaga,  turnips and variety of fall and winter squash

Many of these fresh fruits and vegetables are grown locally. We will be featuring recipes for side dishes in upcoming posts.

With higher food prices and slim budgets in mind take advantage of the Supermarkets: Free turkey, Ham or Lasagna giveaways! When a certain dollar amount has been spent with in the free turkey campaign time frame, a turkey, ham or lasagna is earned. Some stores offer different products so check the weekly circulars for the giveaway campaign that suits your needs. If you shop at different stores you may be eligible to win a free item from each store patronized. Most stores only allow the customer to earn one item within the time period regardless of the amount spent over the set goal.

During this time of year “good” coupons are more bountiful. I state “good” because these are more likely for items you may actually want to purchase and the value of the coupon does not require you to purchase more than one item to reap the benefit.

If holiday meal planning and cooking is overwhelming for you, consider using a Personal Chef for your meal preparations. Meal Makers, Inc. is available to help you by preparing your holiday meals or working with you to prepare your meal.  Contact us for more information mealmakersinc@gmail.com

Dinner is Ready! Are You?

Recently, I started taking pictures of the foods I've prepared to share with my customers and potential customers. In the learning process I put together this video to use in my marketing efforts. We offer gift services for both At Home Cooking Lessons and Customized Meals. If you know of any one that would be interested in using the service or give the service as a gift please share this with them.


You feed back is encouraged!


Bon Appetit!