Valentine's Meals For Your Sweetie

One of the best Valentine's Day gift is something homemade. Any sweetie will appreciate either a homemade meal .Even if you can't cook you can come up with an easy and delicious table for two.

A lux breakfast in bed is always appreciated. A simple dish would be scrambled eggs with ham . Put it on croissants for a richer look and taste. Another easy breakfast dish is eggs Benedict. This is simply poached eggs on English muffins with a lemon- butter sauce. It's mixed with egg yolks for richness.It's the perfect dish to serve with mimosas , or Bellinis, peach nectar blended with champagne. If you're lucky to have lunch together, then think of a charcuterie platter. This is one for the easiest but also the richest tasting of all lunch time dishes. Start with buying a beautiful wooden charcuterie plate. (you can always reuse it at parties and holidays). Have an array of good Italian cold cuts such as mortadella, hard salami and prosciutto. Sopressata, a spicy Southern Italian dry salami is another good meat, perfect on sliced Italian or French bread. Cheeses are a must. Brie is perfect, especially on French bread but Gruyere and smoked Gouda are also good choices. Have a chilled Cabernet or Zinfandel  to sip with this tasty mix. You could also go old school with grilled cheese and tomatoes. Cut the grilled cheese into a heart . Get creative and drizzle sour cream into a heart shape onto the soup's surface.

Of course a Valentine's Day dinner is a big deal. Just remember that's it's just as easy to make surf and turf at home than ordering it at a restaurant. Keep in mind that the seafood could be anything from shrimp to lobster to crab. As for the beef, any cut will do, from a flank to a T-bone. Serve with a side of buttery string beans almondine and/or sauteed spinach. Cornish hens are another tasty and romantic night dinner. Spike up the flavor with a rub of powdered garlic and paprika and serve with brown rice. Want to impress with a night of exotic flavors? Then try tagine, the Morroccan hot pot of different ingredients and spices. The recipe does call for tagine pot , a kind of skillet with a triangular lid but you can also use a deep skillet or even a crock pot. A chicken one calls for a whole roaster cut up  and cooked with tomatoes, peas and carrots. Almonds and dried apricots are also essential to give it a true Moroccan vibe. You could also make a veggie tagine by subbing in chickpeas and butternut squash. If your sweetie is a vegan, then think about a Beyond Meat burger with all the trimmings. Use a cumin spiced Nayonnaise , vegan mayo with tomato slices and soy bacon. Serve with a big helping of air fried sweet potato fries with a home made tomato paste based ketchup.

Nothing says love more than a home cooked meal.It could be breakfast, lunch or dinner. As long as it's home cooked by a home chef with a heart and a kitchen full of love.

Your Apple Picking Picnic

Apple picking season is upon us. What's better than a fun family activity along with a picnic? It's a chance to enjoy fresh air, fun and food.

Before you go , check out the farm you've selected. Some, like Delicious Orchards in Colt's Neck, New Jersey has an entire store where you can pick up food for your outdoor meal. Buy rolls along with cold cuts for sandwiches and eat at the farm's picnic area. A few farms strictly forbid bringing food on the premises. If that's the case , there are usually scenic overlooks and parks nearby where you can eat. Research thoroughly before you go. Once you've decided, then think about what to bring. Sandwiches are always a great start. Use any cold cuts or create a carry along charcuterie platter. This can be a smaller version of what['s served at parties or lunches. Have three different kinds of cured meat, like salami , mortadella and sopprasutta along with a small loaf of crusty ciabatta bread. Add some olives and cheese cubes for the kids. Bring flavored mineral water such as San Pellegrino carbonated water for a refreshing change of pace.

Another open air idea is buying a whole roast chicken along with salads. This may be a bit more involved because you also  have to carry along containers and plates. Still, it's a nice idea and a bit different than just sandwiches and chips.The one good thing is that it's a whole meal eaten before everyone starts the physical work of scouting out trees and picking apples. No one wants to make or even go out for a full dinner after an afternoon of labor. Energy boosters are a must as bring alongs. It keeps the kids from lagging and they're a nice break for both young and old.Fruit roll ups are the best bet. They're easy to pack and store in pockets.Another handy one are the yogurt pouches and squeezers. These provide protein and are filling. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are also tasty and chock full of vitamins. Of course there are the apples themselves.Just make sure you have water in the car to wash off whatever the farmers have sprayed on the fruit. Make sure you have plenty of chilled water. You'll be hot and thirsty out there under a late summer or early fall sun.

Have a fun weekend , picking apples with the family.Make it even more special with an outdoor lunch. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy the day - and time together!