Valentine Day, February 14th is one of the most romantic holidays which is celebrated where good food, gifts and kisses share the menu. Society is looking toward healthier alternatives for food which requires portion control and deliciousness. Preparing dinner for that special someone on Valentine Day can be thoroughly enjoyed with healthy recipes and their pairings.
Salmon with Pepitas Lime Butter:
This recipe calls for toasted pepitas, butter, grated lime zest and lime juice, chili powder, salt and ground pepper.
Over a medium flame, place an 8 ounce skinned coated salmon fillet with chili powder, salt and pepper in a skillet which has been sprayed with cooking spray. Combine the other ingredients minus the pepitas and set aside. Cook the salmon for 2 to 4 minutes per side. Place the salmon on a plate and apply the zest, juice and butter mixture, sprinkling the pepitas on top.
- Make this a colorful plate along with the pink salmon, by adding green zucchini with orange carrots.
- Serve a light Rose Spumante which is a bubbly delight and low in calories.
- The whole meal takes 30 minutes and provides a source of omega and 18 g of fat.
Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts:
Gather chicken breasts, maple syrup, reduced sodium soy sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic clove, fresh ginger and ground pepper.
Whisk the syrup, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, ginger and pepper together as a marinade and coat the chicken breasts with half the recipe. Refrigerate the chicken for 2 hours, turning the breasts over once. To have the home smell delectable, use an indoor grill pan with cooking spray and over a medium heat, cook the chicken from 3 to 5 minutes per side. Heat the remaining marinade and liberally pour over the chicken breasts and serve. Color can be added to this plate by adding Chinese long green beans and glazed peaches.
- The whole meal should take about 20 minutes minus the refrigerated time.
- Pair this meal with a light bubbly Sauternes made from white wine grapes.
- This meal consists of protein, fiber, potassium, 1 g of fat and contains 186 calories.
Steak au Poivre:
Assemble cracked black pepper, 1 inch beef tenderloin steaks, butter or margarine, brandy or beef broth, whipping cream and spicy mustard.
Cut each steak in half and cook the steaks in a skillet with butter over a medium flame for 10 to 13 minutes per side, depending upon your taste and that of your significant other. Transfer the steaks to a platter. Make a sauce from the drippings in the skillet along with the brandy or broth, stir in whipping cream and mustard. Bring to a light boil until the mixture is slightly reduced. Drizzle the white sauce mixture over the steaks and serve. Adding color to this dish would be perfectly accented with seasoned asparagus.
- Pair this meal with a full bodied Cabernet.
- The fat in this meal in only 25 g, 13 g of fat with a healthy serving of iron, calcium and other nutritional contents.
- The whole meal should only take 30 minutes.
