Valentine?s Dinner Date Ideas (3rd of 3 Parts)

Today is Valentine’s Day and instead of the usual dinner date in some fancy restaurant, why not fix dinner for your date to make it more special? Better yet, prepare dinner together. It?s a great way to spend time as a couple. That’s basically idea #3 right there.

This time, instead of offering yet another restaurant suggestion, I pulled together a menu for a simple but delicious meal that you can whip up for your partner. These recipes aren?t super frugal, but they?re not expensive, either. They?ll certainly save some cash over restaurant prices.

So pull out the tablecloth, light some candles, and put that Barry White record on. It?s time for a recession-era Valentine?s dinner, which I hope you’d enjoy. There will even be leftovers!

Starters:

Crisp Cheese and Grape Salad with Apple Cinnamon Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

4 cups salad greens [of your choice]

½ cup red seedless grapes, halved

½ cup green seedless grapes, halved

½ bar of cheese, cut into cubes

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ cup all-purpose flour

2 medium eggs, beaten

½ c panko/Japanese breadcrumbs

2 cups oil

4 tablespoons apple cinnamon jam [I use Magnolia Best Fruits]

1 tablespoon cane vinegar

¾ cup extra virgin olive oil

Procedure:

1. Dredge cheese cubes in flour then dip in egg then coat in breadcrumbs. Freeze breaded cheese for at least 30 minutes before frying in hot oil. Deep-fry cheese until golden brown and drain in paper towels. Set aside.

2. To make the dressing, in a blender, add jam and vinegar and whip for about 30 seconds. Slowly pour in olive oil in steady stream while continually whipping. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

3. Toss salad greens and grapes in a big salad bowl. Pour dressing over at the last minute before serving. Top with fried golden cheese as croutons.

Entrée:

Milk-Braised Pork Loin

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 slices pork chop or boneless pork loin

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

1 cup fresh milk

1 teaspoon dried thyme or 4 fresh sprigs of thyme

1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

Procedure:

1. Season pork with salt and pepper.

2. Melt butter in skillet. Sear pork until browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.

3. Remove pork from heat and transfer to a plate.

4. Pour off fat from skillet and place over medium heat. Return pork and any juices to the skillet.

5. Add milk and thyme. Bring to a boil over high heat.

6. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, covered, for about 45 minutes. Once pork is tender, transfer pork to a serving plate.

7. Whisk cornstarch with water into the remaining sauce in the skillet. Let simmer for a minute then pour over pork and serve immediately. This is perfect with rice.

Dessert:

Maltesers Mousse

Ingredients:

4 egg whites

70g sugar

pinch of salt

100g dark chocolate, broken into squares

2 packets of Maltesers

Procedure:

1. Melt the chocolate in a large heat-proof bowl over simmering water [making sure that the base of the bowl doesn't touch the water] until the chocolate has completely melted. Set aside to cool.

2. Whisk the egg whites, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl until stiff peak have formed.

3. Beat about a third of the egg whites into the cooled chocolate mixture.

4. Add the Maltesers into the bowl and lightly crush. Save a few back for a garnish and fold the rest into the chocolate and egg white mixture.

5. Delicately fold the second third of the egg whites into the bubbly chocolate mixture until well-incorporated and the mixture is lighter.

6. When all the white air pockets have gone, fold in the remaining third of egg whites into the chocolate mixture and repeat the delicate folding-in technique until the mixture has a uniform texture and color.

7. Pour the mousse into individual cups or glasses and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

8. Sprinkle with more crushed Maltesers before serving.

These are just some dishes you might want to try making for a Valentine?s dinner. They?re actually quick and easy recipes I love. The possibilities are endless, though. This year, even after V-day, instead of dining out in a restaurant pull out a cookbook from your shelf, pick a recipe ? old or new ? and prepare a meal with your sweetheart. It?s a fun way to spend a romantic evening. What happens after dessert is up to you!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!