Recipes for Valentine’s Day

We don’t eat out on Valentine’s Day. We prefer a quiet evening at home with a simple meal and music.

Everyday is Valentine’s Day for me because I have a loving and thoughtful husband. We give each other a card, and a red rose on this day, and have dinner together. He likes salmon, so here is my recipe and the side dishes that go with it.

Two salmon filets, about 5 ounces each. I line a baking sheet with foil and spray it lightly with cooking spray, then place the salmon on it. I melt about a tablespoon of butter in a sauce pan, add 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon chopped, fresh dill. Drizzle evenly over both filets and bring the foil up on both sides and make a foil packet. This seals in the flavor and keeps the fish moist. I bake it at 375 for about 20 minutes. Remove the salmon from foil and place on a heated platter.

I’ll prepare a potato soup to go with it. Peel and dice 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, add them to a sauce pan and cover with water. Simmer for about ten minutes or until the potatoes are tender, but still firm. Drain the water from the potatoes, and set them aside. Add one cup of whole milk and one tablespoon of butter to the sauce pan. Add the potatoes to the milk and butter. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes. Place the soup in serving bowls, add fresh cracked pepper and a little minced fresh parsley and chives. You can sprinkle on some shredded cheese if you like.

Cucumber and tomato. Chop several cherry tomatoes and one small cucumber. Toss the vegetables with some dried oregano and serve. You can also drizzle Italian dressing on the vegetables if you like.

Dessert: Simple and delicious. Melt one peppermint patty in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Drizzle the melted patty over 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream and top with fresh, whole strawberries. We share this- one bowl, two spoons.

Clean-up is quick, so this leaves time for soft music and conversation.

Happy Valentine’s Day to our readers.

~ Meadow Walker

Love looks not with the eyes,
but with the mind,
And therefore is winged
Cupid painted blind.

~ William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream