Valentine's Day Recipes

Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.

~William Shakespeare

You can enjoy a lovely Valentine's Day dinner at home without great expense and exhaustion. Cooking this simple meal together is part of the fun!

Shrimp Scampi Pasta

1 lb. bag frozen, peeled and de-veined shrimp, thawed
16 oz. angel hair pasta
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped garlic (fresh or jarred)
garlic salt to taste
shredded Parmesan cheese

Put pasta on to cook.
While pasta is cooking, heat butter, olive oil, and garlic in a large skillet.
Add shrimp and sauté until pink. If the shrimp is already cooked, just heat it through. Add garlic salt to taste. Pour shrimp and sauce over drained pasta. Plate and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Strawberry Salad

1 bag of baby spring mix
1 cup of chow mein noodles
1 cup of fresh sliced strawberries

Mix the above together, and drizzle with the following dressing recipe:

Dressing:

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup wine vinegar(red)
2 teaspoons soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Blend all ingredients.


Old Bay Cheddar Cheese Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick baking mix
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
2/3 cup milk

Seasoned Butter:

1/4 C. melted butter
1/4 tsp. Old Bay
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. dried parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 
In a mixing bowl, combine all of the biscuit ingredients.  Stir until a firm dough forms.  Using a small scoop, place mounds of dough on the prepared pan.
Bake biscuits for about 10 minutes. 
While biscuits are cooking, prepare the seasoned butter. 
When biscuits have baked for 10 minutes, remove from oven and brush the tops with the seasoned butter. Return the pan to the oven until golden brown.  Brush with remaining seasoned butter.

Easy Rocky Road Brownies

1 box family-sized brownie mix and ingredients to make
1 jar marshmallow cream
1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans

Prepare brownies in a 9X13-inch pan, according to package directions. When brownies are done, remove from oven. Heat marshmallow cream for a few seconds in the microwave. Spread over the warm brownies. Allow to cool a few minutes, spread with warm icing and sprinkle with toasted chopped pecans.

Icing:

½ stick butter
2 tablespoons cocoa
3 tablespoons milk
½ of a 16 ounce box of powdered sugar

Combine butter, cocoa and milk in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Add powdered sugar. Stir until smooth and immediately ice brownies.

Valentine Treats from Your Kitchen

Valentine’s Day Teddy Bear Snack Mix

1 package (12.7 ounces) Valentine's Plain M&M's
1 can (9-3/4 ounces) whole cashews
1 bag (8 ounces) yogurt-covered raisins
1 package (3.53 ounces) dried cranberries
1 cup miniature pretzels
1 cup chocolate Teddy Grahams crackers

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Scoop into a zippered plastic bag. Place in cellophane gift bag and tie with a pretty ribbon.

Love Knots

60 pecan halves, toasted
1 (13-ounce) bag Rolo candies
1 (15-ounce) bag tiny twist pretzels

Toast pecans in a single layer on a cookie sheet in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Set aside.

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Place 60 tiny pretzels on lined baking sheet.
Unwrap Rolo candies, and place each candy on top of a pretzel. Heat in oven
for about 3 minutes, or until Rolos begin to melt. Remove from oven, and immediately press a toasted pecan on top of each Rolo. Allow to cool. Place in a pretty, airtight Valentine's Day themed container.