Ideas for Valentines

Ideas for Valentines

Valentine's is coming fast ~ Less then a week.

I am off this year, so I am sure that I will make something special for Dinner and maybe for Breakfast

I wrote an article over at the Daily Dish Magazine with meal ideas that could be used.

If you need some ideas head over there.

Last year I made BBQ ribs, boiled smashed potatoes and a Caesar salad

I also made some Valentine Chocolate Caramels and Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries.

 Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries
1 lb strawberries, washed, hulled and bottom of strawberries trimmed so they will stand
1/2 lb cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
chocolate for melting
toffee bits for garnish

Wash, hull, (taking a little more of the strawberry out to leave a hole) and cut the bottoms of the strawberries slightly so that they will stand.  Set aside. Once the strawberries are dry, melt chocolate and dip the bottom half of the strawberry in the chocolate.  Let chocolate harden.   Whip Cream Cheese and powdered sugar together, place in decorator bag. Pipe cream cheese mixture in the hulled part of the strawberry.  Sprinkle toffee bits over the top of the cream cheese.  Serve and enjoy.

I had a Valentine's Party on my Facebook page, a couple of weeks ago and got many great ideas to share that could be made for this occasion.  Or any occasion for that matter. 

I hope you enjoy this wonderful array of goodies to make.

Photo credit goes to the owner of the blog from which the recipe is from ~ see descriptions below

Starting from the top and going across:
Black Bean Brownie Cupcakes from Nom Eat Nom ~ I have always wanted to try baking with black beans and these sound so good.  Maybe these will get me started on my Wheat Free Diet.
Princess Cupcakes from My Foodie Universe ~ These cupcakes are vegan and use beet puree or raspberry puree for the colouring instead of food dye.  Perfect for those that don't want their children to be hyper.
Truffles from Sandi's Allergy Free Recipes ~ Truffles that are gluten free and milk free using coconut milk and dairy free dark chocolate.  I am going to have to try these.
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles from Couponing & Cooking ~ Snickerdoodles with a Valentine twist.. I am going to have to go out and find some Heart Dove chocolate.
Madeline's Paris Apple Cake from Cozycakes Cottages ~ Anything with Paris in must be for Valentines... as isn't Paris the city of Love.
Candy Heart Chocolate Cupcakes from Just Dip It in Chocolate ~ I love anything chocolate and the stained glass appearance of the candy hearts makes them beautiful.
Cheesecake Balls from Real Housemoms ~ Another one of my favorite things cheesecakes and decorating them with valentine sprinkles make them oh so special.
Truffle Tart from The Baking Fairy ~ This tart is describe as a buttery short crisp shortbread filled with a chocolate filling that tastes like a Lindt truffle.  Heavenly.
Chocolate Cake Hearts with Cream Cheese Frosting from Who Needs A Cape ~ No one will be able to resist these cute heart cupcakes.
 Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Sandi's Allergy Free Recipes ~ I don't think Valentine's can be complete without chocolate covered Strawberries and they are even more perfect if you make them yourself.
Old Fashion Fudge from Yesteryears ~ I know that I would be putty in your hands if you gave me a piece of this melt- in - you mouth fudge..
Black Forest Brownies from Bibi's Culinary Journey ~Black Forest in a brownie shaped as a Valentine, now this would be perfect.
Almond Toffee Bites from Sandi's Allergy Free Recipes ~This would be perfect in our house as it is made with Almond Butter instead of Peanut Butter.
Mini Chocolate Cups with Strawberries from I Like to Bake and Cook ~ An easy dessert made of chocolate and strawberries
Red Velvet Cupcakes from Feeding Big ~Red velvet a perfect Valentine's treat
Chocolate Raspberry Shortbread from The Rowdy Baker ~ I am a big shortbread fan and combine it with chocolate... YUM!


So many ideas, so little time.  They are all so perfect, I am going to have a hard time to pick out something for my Valentine as I would like to make them all.

What have you made for Valentine's Dinner? I would love to know.

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻   Marlys

(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻ Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻



 , Links Foodie Friends Friday, Iron Chef Mom,  In and out of the kitchen 

 

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party ~ February 7/13

It is getting close to the weekend and you know what that means...

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party

I am excited to see what everyone will bring!

But first head over to the Daily Dish and see who's recipes

Caught our Attention from last week.

Each week we will feature the host favorites over at the Daily Dish..

Is your recipe one of them?

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Meet our Co-Hosts at Foodie Friends Friday:

Now Let's meet our sponsor this week!

*Giveaway Disclaimer: Facebook is in no way associated with this website or giveaway and holds no liability for this giveaway. "Liking" facebook pages is optional, not mandatory for entry. Sponsors will be responsible for shipping- if there is a delay or problem with prize, you must communicate directly with sponsor.

This week one lucky winner will win a set of Hand Painted Wine Glasses

 from Barbara ~ Mature Spring Chick

etsy store ~ Little Bits of Lacy 

Little Bits of Lacy 

Aren't they beautiful... 

Make sure you fill out the rafflecopter for your chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now onto the Party!

Last Week's Winners:

Sponsor Winner

Voted Top 3

Puppy Dog Cupcakes ~ Lemon Drops and Cupcakes
Hortobagyi palacsinta ~ Lemon Drops and Cupcakes
Cherry Cordial Mocha ~ This and That

Most Clicks

Cherry Cordial Mocha ~ This and That
Snicker's Cake ~ Winnish
Puppy Dog Cupcakes ~ Lemon Drops and Cupcakes

Host Favorite

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com" title="Foodie Friends Friday"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonHostFavorite_zpsffc907e9.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This week my host favorite goes to Morsels of Life for Taco Stuffed Peppers
I love anything tacos but alas... hubby does not so either I make these and let him suffer
or I drool over the pictures from Morsels of Life, or make them when he is not at home...
And another great thing about these is that you can make them in your slow cooker

Taco Stuffed Peppers
picture credit Morsels of Life

If you want to be feature you will need to link back to either Foodie Friends Friday or 

the host blog that you linked up with

and maybe this week your recipe will be on Recipes that Caught our Attention

Also I have been pinning some recipes, to see if yours

is pinned checked here.

Related articles

• Recipes that Caught OUR Attention #30... (foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com)
• 140 Recipes You NEED to Have (foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com)
• Foodie Friends Friday- January 31/13 Build a Bear (marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com)

Three Bean Chili

Every time that I make chili, I think that I make it different.  This week I had received an article from  my healthcare insurance company and in it was a recipe for chili that sounded very good..  I decided to make.  The recipe called for no meat but as I love meat in my chili I thought I would make it with ground beef this time.  I usually use ground turkey as I feel that turkey is healthier then beef, but I wanted ground beef... After making it and eating it, I think it would be better without the meat.  Next time I make it, I will do it as the recipe suggests.. Maybe :)

Three Bean Chili

2 tbsp oil - I used EVOO

1 cup diced onions

1/2 cup diced celery

3/4 cup diced mushrooms

1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)

2 cans diced tomatoes - 1 used only one as that is all I bought, but would be better with 2

2 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp cumin powder

1 lb ground beef (cooked) I used ground sirloin - optional, don't add if you would like this to be vegetarian.

Cook ground beef and set aside.  In large saucepan heat oil on medium until hot, add onions, celery and mushrooms, saute until translucence. Add beans, tomatoes, spices and ground beef if using.  Bring mixture to boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 15- 20 minutes.

Garnish with cheese, sour cream.

Enjoy

I enjoyed this recipe.  My husband thought my other chili was better.  The only big difference with this recipe and with what I normally do is that I add a small can of tomato sauce and garlic.  I think garlic would be great in this recipe too.

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻   Marlys

(¯`✻´¯)

`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻ Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻

Links: Simple Tuesday Supper , Super Bowl and Chili Party

Valentine Printables

Do you give out Valentine's or decorate your house for the day?

I have never really been one to do either.

I usually set out a few candles and maybe a few glass hearts around the candles and call it done.

I think if I did anymore, my husband would think I was crazy...

Maybe I will do something a little more this year, but before I can decorate I will need to..

You guessed it, have time to clean my house.

I have done a few things to make it easier for you to do your decorating.

Here are some Valentine Printables for you to use

Valentine Printables

Family Where Life Begins

Love is the Master Key 

Never Close Your Lips

Valentine's Subway Art

Subway Art 2

Valentine's Card -  Four valentine's Cards to print out.

I also did a few more Valentine's printables that I posted on the Daily Dish.  You can go here to check them out. All of these printables are free for you to use.  All I ask is that you will not use them to make a profit and if you do use them and post what you have made with them, that you give credit to me. I would love to see what you come up with.  All the sayings in the pictures I found on line and are not my own.

Aunt B has many other creative ideas to use do for Valentine's.  Her post Creative Ways to show "I am nuts about you" has many wonderful ideas that include a photobox, cards and heart shaped foods.  If you need some help in the creativity department, head over to Aunt B's post for some help... I think I might even try some of her ideas, especially the breakfast one.  No I am not going to tell you.. You need to go over and take a look yourself.

Do you have any special Valentine's Tradition? I would love to hear about them.

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻   Marlys

(¯`✻´¯)

`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻ Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻

Related articles

• bobby pin valentine printable (lisastorms.typepad.com)
• Valentines Day DIY: Free Printables For The Perfect Valentines Day (makeabirthdaywish.wordpress.com)

Links:  In and out of the Kitchen, Merry Monday Link Party, Table it Link Party

Foodie Friends Friday- January 31/13 Build a Bear

Once again it is time for our Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party

We had a wonderful party last week with almost 200 recipe links..

I know this week we will be able to beat that.

Thank you to all that linked up... Everyone one of the recipes are wonderful.

This is the place to be...

Great Food, Great Friends and Great Giveaways
Check out the each of the host favorites on the Daily Dish

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Meet our Co-Hosts at Foodie Friends Friday:

Now Let's meet our sponsor this week!

*Giveaway Disclaimer: Facebook is in no way associated with this website or giveaway and holds no liability for this giveaway. "Liking" facebook pages is optional, not mandatory for entry. Sponsors will be responsible for shipping- if there is a delay or problem with prize, you must communicate directly with sponsor.

This week we have a great giveaway from Build A Bear Workshop

Remember to fill out the Rafflecopter for your chance to win.

  Shipped to the US only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This week's Party


Last week's Party

Sponsor Winners


Voted Top 3

Chocolate Covered Cherries ~ Hun What's For Dinner
Homemade White Chai concentrate ~ This and That
Love Bug Cake Pop Delivery ~ Pint Size Baker

Most Clicks

Chocolate Covered Cherries ~ Hun What's For Dinner
Dilly Casserole Bread ~ Cozycakes Cottage
Homemade White Chai Concentrate ~ ThisandThat

Host Favorite

This week's host favorite goes to Smitten Foodie for Valentine's Fortune Cookies.  I am a sucker for fortune cookies.  I love to read my fortune and even keep some of them to see if they will come true.  So when I saw these homemade fortune cookies I was intrigued.  They are beautiful decorated and have a fortune inside just like the one's you get at the Chinese Restaurants.  I not sure I have enough patience to make them but maybe someday I will try.

Valentine's Day Fortune Cookies
photo credit:  Smitten Foodie 

Make sure you check out all the Host's Favorite's from last week on the Daily Dish.  Each week we will be picking a Host Favorite and they will be featured.  Also, you can check to see which recipes caught my attention on my Pinterest Board. 

Related articles

• 140 Recipes You NEED to Have (foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com)
• Recipes that Caught OUR Attention... (foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com)

Cherry Cordial Mocha

 love buying the new flavours of Hershey Kisses and I usually buy a few bags as you never know when they are going to disappear.  Sometime before Christmas I bought a bag or two of Cherry Cordial Hershey Kisses and my plan was to make fudge with at Christmas time... but I ran out of time and there they sat taunting me in the cupboard.

I was thinking of a post to write for on our e- magazine Daily Dish and  remember about the Cherry Cordial Kisses.  A light bulb came on and I thought they would make a great drink.  Perfect for Valentines.

Cherry Cordial Mocha

A perfect blend of coffee and chocolate with a hint of cherry

1 cup brewed coffee

2 cups milk

2 heaping tablespoons condensed milk

2 tbsp cocoa 

9 Cherry Cordial Hershey Kisses

Place all ingredients in pot and heat over medium heat until steaming but not boiling and kisses are melted.  Stir with whisk while heating.  Enjoy!

This recipe makes 2 -3 cups depending on the size of cups.  Garnish with whipped cream and drizzle with cherry syrup if  desired.

Enjoy!

Marlys

This recipe was also posted on the Daily Dish and for more great drink recipes go HERE.

Related articles

• Salted Caramel Mocha Latte (marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com)
• All Natural Keurig Kcup Cafe Mocha (crosscountrycoffeeblog.com)

Links:  Freedom Fridays , Foodie Friends Friday, Tasty Thursday, In and Out of the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesdays, Valentine's Saturday Dishes

Chicken Yassa -Yassa au Poulet

Last year before my birthday I sent a list of things that my husband could buy me from Amazon.  One of the things I asked for was a recipe book "Cooking the West  African Way" by Montgomery and Nabwire.  I read the book but haven't really made anything from it.  A few weeks ago my husband was telling me about this chicken that we should make.  I had thought he was getting the recipe from his mom but he had found it is in the cookbook.
As we were making it, I really wondered how it would taste, but it was good.  The flavor was wonderful.

Chicken Yassa

This is a recipe from Senegal that is served at special occasions.

1/4 cup lemon juice

4 large onions sliced - I used one large red onion 

5 tbsp peanut oil

1 habanero pepper ~ I used a hot pepper that received at the African market

1 2 1/2 - 4 1/2 lb precut chicken - I used 4 chicken breasts

1/2 cup water

salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

In a deep bowl, mix the lemon juice, onions, salt, pepper and 4 tbsp peanut oil.  Using a fork pierce  the pepper and add to marinade  Let the marinade  sit for 15 minutes and then check for spiciness.  If hot enough remove pepper, if not let stand for a bit longer.

Once marinade spicy enough and you have removed the pepper (I left my pepper in the marinade for the whole time), add chicken and stir to coat.   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator over night ( I only marinated the meat 6 hours). 

To cook, preheat broiler.  Remove the chicken pieces from marinade and place on tinfoil on the broiler rack.  Broil briefly until the chicken is lightly brown.  Place on plate and set aside.

Strain the onions from the marinade.  In a large frying pan, heat 1 tbsp peanut oil over medium heat.  Add onions and saute until soft and tender.

Add the rest of the marinade and cook until the mixture is heated through evenly.

Add brown chicken pieces and water.  Stir to coat.

Lower heat, bring mixture to simmer and cover.  Cook at least 30 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked.

Serve the yassa hot over rice.

Enjoy.  I ate mine with quinoa

 Even thought we didn't use as much chicken as the recipe called for the marinade seemed to be enough and not too much.  If you use more chicken I would probably make more marinade.  I would also next time use more onions as most of the flavor of the marinade was in the onions.

Marlys

Links: Foodie Friends Friday