This year we are going to enjoy a romantic date-night before Valentines and spend a fun evening together as a family on Valentine’s Day.  We love our babies and wouldn’t have a day dedicated to LOVE any other way.  The day will be packed full of love, as it will be just a typical Saturday of course!  Although, my boys will think they want their Saturday ritual which includes a stop at a favorite local restaurant for their bbq ribs to-go after an afternoon of football with Dad, however Mom has something else in mind….

Mom’s Berry Heart Healthy 
Valentines Dinner Menu

{Honestly, it is one of our family favorites around here, and not a single one of them will turn up their nose to dinner, and well, I impress myself every time I make it at home.  It is simple, easy, and looks + tastes fancy.}

Baked Salmon + Buttered Garlic Beans + Mashed Potatoes

with a Berry Vinaigrette Salad

>>> Strawberry Brownie Trifle <<<

I love to cook and I love simple recipes. When I look for recipes that inspire me to cook I look for 8 or less ingredients.  The goal is lots of flavor, simple real ingredients + simple easy to follow steps.  

This is a meal that can be prepped quickly and easily for any busy mom.  And you can easily make it extra V-Day special by setting the table and using the “nice” dishes and maybe skip the sippies!  And if your sweetie forgets to bring you flowers, pick them up for yourself at the market, why not?!  {Although I hope you do get flowers!}

Salad ::

Baby Spinach

Fresh Berries {Mix it up or just use your favorite berry!}

Raw Almonds {Chopped}

Berry Vinaigrette ::  makes about 3/4 cup

1/4 cup of oil

2-3  large strawberries

small handful of raspberries

a little bit of sea salt

2 to 3 tbs. apple cider vinegar

1 to 2 tbs. honey

3 tbs.  water

a little bit of dried or fresh basil 

Simply make a bed of spinach, sprinkle berries, chop almonds and sprinkle on top!

For the vinaigrette simply place all ingredients into a blender and give it a whirl!  

Baked Salmon :: 

I have a simple no-fuss cooking method for the salmon, or any fish of your choice, that takes only a few minutes to prep.  

Select a piece of salmon to feed your crowd 

Simply rub with oil, we like to use coconut oil, both the top and bottom

Place the filet with skin side on baking sheet

Add seasons  {Our seasonings of choice are :: old bay, sea salt, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper}

Add a few thin slices of lemon on top

If the filet is less than a 1/2″, 30 mins at 350 degrees should be perfect.  Add 5-10 mins. if filet is on the thicker side!  

You will know when the fish is done when it is no longer translucent and flakes with a fork! 

Buttered Garlic Beans ::

Sauteed 2-3 cloves of minced garlic in 2 tbs. of butter in a pan

Add washed fresh green beans and sauteed for about 10 mins. 

Sprinkle crushed almonds on top!  

Mashed Potatoes :: 

I don’t have any secrets here, I follow the same recipe my parents have used forever!  Peel, chop + boil potatoes for 30 mins., drain water, add 2 tbs. butter and a few tbs. of milk, season with salt + pepper, and mash it UP!  

I am looking at trying this healthy recipe!  Garlic Cauliflower Mash (Fake Mashed Potatoes)

Or making regular mashed potatoes in the crock pot and trying this recipe!  Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

For the LOVE of strawberries!  

A Simple Strawberry Brownie Trifle ::

Pull out a pretty trifle dish or any glass bowl and make a crowd pleasing dessert!  

Bake brownies according to directions 

Let brownies completely cool and slice into little cubes  about 3/4″

Sprinkle a layer of brownies on bottom of dish

Follow with a layer of cool whip

Followed by a layer of sliced fresh strawberries

Repeat!  

Finish the top with crushed almonds or pecans!

The evening will be full of LOVE, great food and board games!  Maybe we will finish it off with a cozy snuggle on the sofa watching a movie.  An evening surrounded by my boys sounds like perfection to me!  

Here is a snap-shot from Valentines 2014!  Oh, the shenanigans! 

XOXOX Happy Valentines Day!!  >>>>>