VALENTINE'S DAY RECIPES

- Shannan Swanson, Tastybaby Co-Founder.

Valentine's Day isn't only about cooking a romantic meal for your wife, husband, partner or significant other.  It's also about spending time with your kids, too! I've come up with some great kid-friendly recipes that you can make on that special day, with your kids, for all the loves in your life.  We hope you enjoy these recipes and have fun making them, too!

Minty Pea Soup

2 boxes (six 3.5 oz. cups) Tastybaby Peas On Earth
1 small or ½ large organic yellow onion, chopped fine
Small bunch fresh mint
12 oz. low sodium organic chicken stock (use water or vegetable stock if preferred)
1 tablespoon organic butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste

Sautee onions in butter & olive oil until transparent (do not brown).
Add Peas On Earth, mint & stock. 
Simmer on low heat until puree has melted & mint has steeped.
Remove & discard mint.
If desired, blend with an immersion or traditional blender.
Season to taste.

May be served hot or chilled.
Serves 4.

Garnish with any of the following:

Sprinkle with chopped organic turkey (or regular) bacon
Dollop of crème fraiche or organic sour cream
Croutons
Fresh mint sprig

Organic Caesar Salad with Parmesan Crisps

Organic Romaine lettuce, washed and dried

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tablespoons organic Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black peper

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Our Tasty Recipe: 

Puree the garlic, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire and lemon juice in a blender until smooth.  Add the oil in a steady stream with the blender running.  Season dressing with salt and pepper

Pour over lettuce and toss to coat.

Parmesan Crisps

½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Pour a tablespoon of Parmesan cheese onto silicone baking sheet.  Gently pat down the cheese with the back of a spoon.  Repeat with the remaining cheese and space out the spoonfuls a ½ inch apart.

Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is crisp and golden.

Let cool and serve with salad.

Organic Chocolate Fondue recipe

Ingredients

¼ cup organic whipping cream

3-oz organic bittersweet chocolate

1 tablespoon of organic unsalted butter

Our Tasty Recipe:  

Finely chop chocolate and transfer to a small bowl

Bring cream and butter to a simmer in ½ quart saucepan over moderate heat.  Add chocolate, stirring until smooth.  Transfer chocolate to a fondue pot and set over a candle flame to keep chocolate warm.

Serve with fresh organic fruit, coconut macaroons, pound cake, and marshmallows.

Organic Mozzarella, Cherry Tomato, and Basil Skewers

Ingredients

½ cup fresh organic mozzarella

1 pint of organic cherry tomatoes

1 bunch of fresh organic basil, larger leaves only

Extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper

Toothpicks

Our Tasty Recipe: 

Drain mozzarella and place cheese in a small-bowl.  Toss with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Wrap each cheese ball in a large basil leaf and skewer with toothpick.  Then skewer with a tomato and repeat.

 
Salt
1 package lasagna noodles
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium organic yellow onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon organic minced garlic
1 tablespoon organic dried oregano
2 cans tomato soup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups cottage cheese (small curd)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Our Tasty Recipe:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Boil noodles according to package directions. Drain and arrange in casserole (see below).

While noodles are boiling, brown beef in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, adding chopped onion, garlic and oregano to meat as it cooks. When meat has browned, drain off fat and then add tomato soup and apple cider vinegar. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven for 350 degrees F.

Spray a medium casserole dish with a nonstick cooking spray. Lay noodles lengthwise across bottom of casserole dish. Spread a layer of cottage cheese over top of noodles. Add a layer of meat mixture, then cover with mozzarella cheese and repeat for a total of 3 layers. Finish with a layer of cheese and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbling. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.