Thinking of making reservations for a fancy meal for Valentine’s day? Avoid the over-crowded, expensive restaurants and try something new this year! There’s no better way to show your loved ones how much you care than cooking a delicious home-cooked meal. Whether you’re celebrating with friends, family, or that special someone, treat your loved ones to a heart-healthy dining experience worth toasting.
We have shortlisted these recipes just for you. Set the mood by adding flowers, candle lights or tea lights and a glass of red wine, or your favorite beverage.
Appetizer:
Raw Beet Salad
Ingredients:
1 pound raw beets
2 cups mixed greens
2 tsp Dijon mustard, or to taste
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp sherry vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Minced rosemary parsley, dill to taste
Optional: Crushed walnuts
Directions:
Peel beets cut into heart shapes. Toss with salt, pepper, mustard, oil, and vinegar. Toss in herbs, and serve over a bed of mixed greens.
Entrées:
Mediterranean Grilled Salmon Kebabs
Ingredients:
1 whole skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 zucchini, diced into 1-inch pieces
8-10 cherry tomatoes, halved
8-10 green olives pitted
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 tsp. rosemary and oregano or any herbs of choice
2 Tbsp. lemon juice (or lime if you prefer)
1/2 cup plain low-fat greek yogurt
2 Tbsp. fresh dill
Directions:
Cut the salmon to create 1-in square pieces. Season with cumin, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, salt, pepper and olive oil. You can also season zucchini and tomatoes with the same. Insert the salmon pieces into skewers alternating with cherry tomatoes, zucchini and olives. Ensure that you leave some space between pieces.
Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Grill, covered with grill lid, 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until the salmon is cooked well.
Combine yogurt, dill, mixed herbs and lemon juice in a separate bowl and serve with the kebabs.
Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ Tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice
3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp ground pepper, or to taste
1 ¼ lbs boneless chicken breasts, skinned and all visible fat removed
1 large onion
1 large green bell pepper
8 corn tortillas
Directions:
Preheat broiler. To make the marinade, combine garlic, 1 T oil, lemon or lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper in a bowl. Cut chicken lengthwise into thin 3/8 inch strips. Add to marinade, toss to coat evenly and let chicken marinate in refrigerator 10-20 minutes, turning at least once. Slice onion and pepper into thin 1/8 inch strips. In a nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper slices and sauté, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes or until onion is slightly brown. Wrap tortillas in foil and place in the lower shelf of oven. Heat thoroughly. Line broiler pan with foil. Place chicken on foiled covered pan about 3 inches from heat for 4 minutes. To serve, place 4 oz of chicken on 1 tortilla, top with onions, peppers and assorted garnishes (salsa, sour cream and guacamole in amounts stated in meal plan)
Servings: 4 1 Serving = 4 oz chicken, 1 corn tortilla, ¼ of green bell peppers & onions
Dessert:
Chocolate brownies
Ingredients:
¾ cup Chocolate Life Shake™
¼ cup stevia or sugar
½ cup almond butter or peanut butter
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
2 eggs or ½ cup egg whites
½ tsp. vanilla extract
¾ cup milk of choice (depending on consistency, keep adding milk until batter-like consistency)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat almond butter slightly and mix thoroughly with stevia (or sugar) in a mixing bowl. Add eggs, vanilla extract and almond milk and mix until the batter is light and fluffy. Then add chocolate Life Shake mix, salt and baking soda and whisk (or add more milk) until you get a batter-like consistency.
Pour into a well greased 8 x 8 dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until set. Use heart-shaped brownie cutter to get heart shaped brownie pieces. Serve with fresh mixed berries.
Bonus: For all those on the Shaklee 180 Program, all these dinner recipes work great with the Program as well. Just be mindful of the portion sizes and calorie intake and you are good to go!
