Valentine’s Day is approaching and if you’re looking for a way to celebrate with your family, here are a few easy appetizers.
APPETIZERS
These easy make-it-yourself Valentine’s Day appetizers will really only require a heart shaped cookie cutter. You can make your own quesadillas and cut them out in the heart shape. You can make heart shaped mini pizzas out of puff pastry. You can even cut up chicken breasts and cut them into heart shapes.
These appetizers should keep everyone in the family happy.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve almost given up on finding a decent steak to cook. For the price, they had better be tender – which they aren’t.
I went into Botto’s Market and found the butcher. I explained my pessimism and asked him to pick a steak out for me. He picked the perfect one. Lesson to learn is, don’t be afraid to ask the butcher for a recommendation.
Now for the main meal.
BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH RED WINE REDUCTION
2 beef tenderloin steaks
1 c. red wine
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh thyme for garnish
Season the beef tenderloin steaks with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat and sear the steaks for 3–4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Remove the steaks and let them rest for a few minutes.
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in the red wine and let it simmer until it has reduced by half.
Serve the steaks drizzled with the red wine reduction, garnished with fresh thyme.
Tips: Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness; 135°F is ideal for medium-rare.
Pair with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
https://joout.com/romantic-dinner-recipes-to-ignite-love/
CHERRY GARCIA CHOCOLATE CHERRY CAKE
This one might be a little challenging, but you can do it.
2 boxes of French vanilla cake mix
2 c. whole milk
1 c. unsalted sweet cream butter softened
6 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 c. chopped maraschino cherries
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 9-inch round cake pans
1 10-inch round cake board
1 cake leveler (a long knife will do)
Cherry Frosting
2 c. unsalted sweet cream butter softened
4 c. powdered sugar
3 tsp. cherry extract
3-6 drops red gel food coloring
Vanilla Frosting
3 c. unsalted sweet cream butter softened
6 c. powdered sugar
3 tsp. vanilla extract
3-6 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
1 large piping bag fitted with large star tip (or fill a ziplock bag and cut a small triangle out of the bottom end where you will be squeezing the frosting from)
Decoration Ingredients
1 c. mini chocolate chips
chocolate shaving sprinkles
½ c. maraschino cherries with stem
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray cake pans with baking spray.
Using a standing mixer, beat all cake ingredients together until combined and well mixed. Fold in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips.
Divide the batter evenly between the three cake pans. Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean in the center. Allow to cool completely on the counter.
Using a standing mixer, beat together all cherry frosting ingredients for 5 to 7 minutes or until frosting is smooth and combined with stiff peaks. Scoop into a bowl and set aside
Clean out the mixer bowl.
Using the vanilla frosting ingredients, beat together in the standing mixer for 5 to 7 minutes or until frosting is smooth and combined with stiff peaks.
Scoop 1 ½ cups of the white frosting into the piping bag and set aside.
Building the cake
Using the cake leveler (or knife), cut the domes off the cake rounds to make them level. Place one cake round onto the cake board.
Scoop 1 ½ cups of the cherry frosting onto the top of the cake and smooth evenly. Place another cake round on top of the first one. Scoop another 1 ½ cups of the cherry frosting onto the second cake round and smooth evenly. Place the third cake round on top of the second one and scoop remaining white frosting (not in the bag) onto the top of the cake and frost entire cake.
Gently press the mini chocolate chips around the bottom of the cake and pipe dollops of frosting along the top of the cake. Sprinkle the chocolate shavings onto the dollops. For the final touch, top the dollops with cherries.
https://myheavenlyrecipes.com/cherry-garcia-chocolate-cherry-cake-recipe/#recipe
