Ideas for Valentines Day

VALENTINES DAY

GIFT IDEAS

1. A Skeleton key with a note that says 'you unlocked my heart'.
2. Gift certificate to a day spa.
3. Roses are the standard, but if he/she has a favorite go with those instead.
4. Fill someone's car with balloons in their favorite color.
5. Plan a romantic, homemade dinner just for two.


RECIPES
1. Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Banana's.
You'll need 1 bag of chocolate chip (semi sweet or milk chocolate)
2 tbs butter flavored crisco
1 dozen strawberries, washed
2-4 banana's, cut up into bite size pieces

1. Fill a small sauce pan with water and place on stove top over med-high heat. Place a small skillet over the saucepan. Empty the chocolate chip bag into the skillet, and add the crisco. Stir around to mix evenly, and to keep from scalding. Make sure all lumps are out.
2. On a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper, place your strawberries and banana slices. Use a toothpick to handle the banana slices.
3. Once the chocolate is melted, take skillet off of heat and hold next to the wax paper. Quickly roll the strawberries and bananas in the chocolate and place on the paper to dry. Let the chocolate harden for about an hour, then transfer to plate and place in the fridge.


2. Lovers Chocolate Drink (serves 4-6)

4 1/4 cup milk
4 oz semisweet chocolate
5 tbs sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp allspice
1 shot peppermint schnapps or whiskey
4-6 cinnamon sticks (for garnish)

1. In a large saucepan, combine all of the ingredients except the cinnamon, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil. Beat the mixture until it stops boiling and becomes frothy. Serve with the cinnamon sticks.


3. Apple Sweets (makes 10-15)
2 1/2 cups peeled apples, sliced
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup finely chopped almonds
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1/2 tsp cinnamon powdered sugar

1. Steam apples until soft, which should take about 30 minutes. Let cool. Puree in a food processor or blender. Pour into a medium saucepan and stir in the sugar. Simmer over low heat until it thickens, or for about 45 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in the almonds, lemon rind, and cinnamon. Pour onto a greased cookie sheet. Spread into 1/2 inch thckness and chill. Cut into heart shapes and sprinkle with the powdered sugar. To store, seperate the pieces with wax paper.


4. Lemon Chicken (serves 4)
(Mango's are often used in love potions, and lemon's add calrity to romance)

2 lbs chicken breasts, cubed
1 tbs grated ginger root
1/2 tsp grated lime peel
1 tbs lime juice
1 tbs lemon juice
2 green onions, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbs olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1 tbs soy sauce
1 lemon, very thinly sliced
2 tbs cornstarch
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

1. Saute the chicken, ginger root, lime peel, orange peel, lime juice, lemon juice, onions, and garlic in the olive oil until the chicken is white. Ad the chicken broth, soy sauce, and lemon. Stir and let simmer for 15 mintues. Mix the cornstarch with 3 tbs water until smooth. Add the chicken a little bit at a time, stirring consantly. Mix in the mango cinnamon, sugar. Simmer until the mango is warm and the sauce is thick. Serve over hot white rice.

5. Passion Pasta (serves 2)

1 small can minced clams
fresh garlic
1 small can italian tomatoes,drained but juice reserved
oilve oil
grated parmesan cheese
salt
pepper
linguine or spagheti noodles for two, cooked

1. Combine the clams, garlic to taste, and tomatoes in a small saucepan over low heat. Bring to a simmer. Stir in 1-2 tbs oilve oil, a tbs or two of the tomato juice, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Keep tasting as you add for the perfect balance. Pour over the cooked pasta.


TRADITIONS

1. Pick a dandelion that has gone to seend. Blow the seeds into the wind. Count the remaining seeds on the stem. That's the number of children you will have.
2. If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you'll see how many kids you're gonna have.
3. Sew a lovers knot (two intersecting circles) on your clothes to show you're in love.
4. Strawberries are the fruit of romance.