NorthStar Moving® knows a thing or two about how to be red on the outside and green on the inside. Make your Valentine’s Day dinner the same way! This holiday is a day for love. And, as the old saying goes, what better way is there to get a person’s heart than through their stomach? So, why not get moving and cook a nice dinner for your family, your friends, or your special someone? If you really care about them, you’ll pick the healthy (and green!) alternative and make a vegetarian dinner! With the help of my favorite cooking website, Smitten Kitchen, I’ve made a menu for the big night:
Winter Fruit Salad
I love having fruit salad at summer picnics. That is something that I miss in the winter. So, when I saw this winter fruit salad, my heart filled with joy! The recipe calls for figs, apricots, pears, and apples. This fruit salad is a bit more difficult than cutting up strawberries and cantaloupe, but your taste buds will definitely thank you for the extra work.
Linguine with Tomato Almond Pesto
When I think of “romantic” food, I always think of the spaghetti scene in Disney’s classic movie Lady and the Tramp. This linguine sounds perfect for my Valentine’s dinner! The pesto part also got me hooked. Basil is probably my favorite herb. But, basil plants tend to be a bit glum in the winter. So, if your plant doesn’t have spectacular foliage, just substitute in some ready-made pesto from the grocery store or your local farmer’s market.
Roasted Acorn Squash and Gorgonzola Pizza
Pasta and pizza were made for each other. Eating them together is like “love at first sight.” The traditional tomato and cheese pizza can get boring fast; that’s why this pizza looks amazing! Arugula, winter squash, and Gorgonzola all in one bite? I’ve gotta get moving and start making the pizza dough as soon as possible!
Cauliflower with Almonds, Raisins and Capers
My main dishes are a bit heavy on carbs, so I thought I would balance my menu out with a nice vegetable side dish. Usually plain boiled cauliflower is something I move away from, yet this recipe looked too interesting to say “No, thanks” to. The prospect of raisins, almonds, bread crumbs, and the little white tree vegetable all in the same bite has perked up my adventurous taste buds.
Cappuccino Fudge Cheesecake
How can you have Valentine’s Day without any chocolate? That would be impossible. Now, this cake is a bit of a doozy. But, in a good way. I know that it will leave my dinner guests’ stomachs full of happiness and love. (Which is perfect for the movie night I am planning afterward! Did you know that NorthStar Moving® recently helped move the movie “The Green Hornet”? It’s got green in the name & our moving crew got to be behind the scenes, so I’m definitely leaning towards it as my choice for the evening. You should see the cool photos our movers brought back with them!) If you don’t want to use the rum in the filling, you can just leave it out. And, you can substitute the liqueur in the ganache with a brewed coffee that has been cooled and sweetened to your taste. Don’t add hot coffee or the cream will curdle. Also, be extra careful that no stray coffee grounds get in there. The ganache should be smooth as silk.
Have you ever cooked an amazing dinner for Valentine’s Day? Better yet, has anyone ever cooked one for you? We’d love to hear about your special night!