Happy February everyone! Love is in the air and if you’re anything like Sheldon Cooper and I, you’re grabbing the disinfectant spray and a gas mask. No, I’m not cynical or bitter, maybe just a little jealous of all the girls waking up to flowers and chocolates. But this is what being a girl in your 20s is all about- relating a little too hard to Taylor Swift’s ‘Hit’s Different’, fighting the Sunday Scaries over bottomless mimosas, and most importantly, leaning on your friends.
And who needs romance when I’ve got my girls? Platonic love is worth celebrating, too, and I’m here to help you do it. I have seven easy recipes to help you throw the perfect Galentine’s Day. With that being said, turn on How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days and get to cookin’!
Love Potion
This beautiful and tasty pink drink is certain to capture the hearts of anyone who drinks it. And for those who are of age, mix in your favorite adult beverage for a fun twist!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 12 ounce can lemon lime soda
- 2 tablespoons grenadine
- 2 tablespoons coconut cream
- ½ lime, juiced
- Edible glitter (optional)
Instructions
- Juice ½ of a lime
- Mix all ingredients together and top with ice
- Enjoy!
Bachelorette in Paradise
Pina colada and strawberry daiquiri in the same drink? Sign me up. This fruity drink combines everyone’s favorite tropical flavors into one delicious beverage.
Serves: 1
Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 lime, juiced
Virgin Pina Colada
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- ½ cup coconut cream
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients for the strawberry daiquiri and set aside
- Blend all ingredients for the pina colada and set aside
- Using a spoon, put a small amount of pina colada into a cup.
- Repeat with the strawberry daiquiri.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the glass is full.
- Serve and enjoy!
(Pine) Apple of my Eye
This bubbly drink combines sweet pineapple juice with zesty lime and smooth coconut. With this delightful combo of flavors, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 6 oz pineapple juice
- ½ can of lemon lime soda (about 6 oz)
- ½ lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon coconut cream
Instructions:
- Juice ½ of a lime
- Mix all ingredients together in a cup and top with ice.
- Enjoy!
Brie to My Heart- Baked Brie
If you’re looking for an explosion of flavors, this baked brie is for you. It combines the sharpness of the cheese with sweet raspberry jam, spicy hot honey, and crunchy pecans for the perfect bite.
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients:
- 8 ounce wheel brie cheese
- ¼ cup raspberry jam or preservative
- ¼ cup roasted pecans
- Hot honey, to drizzle
- 1 loaf of french bread
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray
- Using a small paring knife, cut a heart shape in the top of the brie wheel. Carefully cut out the center of the heart to form a shallow well on top of the wheel.
- Spoon the raspberry jam into the heart, being careful to keep the edges neat
- Using a bread knife, slice the french bread into even pieces
- Place the brie onto the baking sheet and surround it with the pieces of bread. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the brie is soft. Be careful not to melt the cheese.
- While the brie is baking, chop the pecans into small pieces
- Remove from the oven and carefully transport the brie onto a serving plate
- Drizzle with hot honey and sprinkle with pecans
- Surround the brie with the bread slices or place them on a separate plate.
- Slice and enjoy!
Pizza My Heart- Pizza Chips with Marinara
These crispy, baked tortilla chips are topped with a delicious blend of herbs and melted cheese for an exciting twist on classic pizza. Served with warm marinara for dipping, this savory snack is sure to be a hit.
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 4 large tortillas
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup mozzarella or parmesan
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasoning:
- 1/2 tablespoon basil
- 1/2 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with tin foil
- Using a pair of clean kitchen scissors or a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut the tortillas into heart shaped chips
- Place into a bowl and evenly coat the chips with olive oil
- Place the chips in a single layer on the baking sheet
- Sprinkle with seasoning and cheese
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the chips are crisp. Be careful to avoid burning the cheese.
- Serve chips with a bowl of warm marinara sauce and enjoy!
Be My Valentine Chicken Pasta
You’ve probably heard of the famous ‘Marry Me Chicken’ that’s taken the internet by storm, but let me introduce you to my version—‘Be My Valentine’ Chicken Pasta. I’ve made this dish countless times for friends, family, and significant others, and every single time, it’s been a hit. Without fail, they rave about it and beg me to make it again.
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients:
Pasta:
- 1 medium sized yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 8 slices of bacon, cut into small pieces
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 16 oz heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 pound pasta of your choice
- ⅔ cup pasta water (for the sauce)
Chicken:
- 2 lb chicken breast, even flatted and sliced into approximately 6 servings
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 2-3 cups seasoned panko breadcrumbs
Seasonings:
- Basil
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked Paprika
Instructions for the chicken:
- Set out 2 medium sized plates and a bowl- these will be for dredging the chicken
- In the bowl, crack 2 eggs and beat with a fork. Season with salt and pepper
- On one of the plates, spread the flour out evenly. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika and stir
- On the other plate, evenly spread out the seasoned bread crumbs
- Dip each chicken breast in flour, followed by egg washed and finished with bread crumbs.
- Set aside and repeat step 6 until all chicken breasts are coated
- Bring a pan to medium heat and lightly coat the bottom of the pan with olive oil, enough to cover the entire pan
- Place 2-3 chicken breasts in the pan at a time, being careful not to let them overlap and crowd the pan
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Make sure that there is no pink in the center.
- Slice into strips to place on top of a serving of pasta
Instructions for the pasta:
- In a large pot on medium heat, cook the pieces of bacon until crispy. Then remove the bacon from the pot, but leave the grease.
- Using the bacon grease, cook the diced onion and garlic until the onion is tender and translucent.
- While the onions are cooking, bring a medium sized pot of water to a rolling boil and add your pasta. Cook pasta according to instructions on the packaging
- Once the onions are translucent, add in the tomato paste and bacon. Stir for approximately 30 seconds
- Add the heavy whipping cream and stir until completely combined and smooth. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes
- Reduce the pot to low heat.
- Add the balsamic vinegar and all seasonings listed above. Taste as you go to avoid over seasoning.
- Once the pasta is done, set aside ⅔ cup of pasta water before draining
- Add the pasta water to the sauce and stir until combined, this will thin out the sauce a bit
- Stir in ¾ of the parmesan cheese, saving the rest to sprinkle on top of each serving.
- Mix the drained pasta with the sauce.
- Plate the pasta with a sliced chicken breast on top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
I Love you Berry Much- 5 Ingredient Mini Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shortcakes
These bite-sized treats are the perfect dessert to end the night. They’re light, fluffy, sweet and best of all, so easy to make.
Ingredients:
- Pound cake loaf, cut into 8 slices
- 2.5 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Cool Whip, 8 ounce container
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Wash and slice strawberries
- Using a small paring knife, cup strawberries slices into heart shapes
- Transfer to a bowl and add 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Cover and shake the bowl, ensuring that the strawberries are evenly coated with sugar
- Refrigerate for one hour
- Using a small cookie cutter or paring knife, cut 8 heart shapes out of the pound cake. Set aside excess
To assemble:
- On one of the slices of pound cake, spread a spoonful of Cool Whip
- Place several slices strawberries on top
- Using a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 30-second increments, stirring between each
- Drizzle chocolate on top of each shortcake, serve and enjoy!
