Valentines Day

One of the ways I  like to show my love for others is through cooking( I’ve heard said ..What better way to a man’s heart then through his stomach)

For the past 10 years, since we started a family. Pan and I stay in for valentines. We feed the kids early and put them to bed then at 8-830.   We dress up,  I mean the whole shebang, dress, heels , make-up etc.. and sit down to a 4 course homemade meal with candles and wine.

I try to come up with something new every year( I did make pumpkin ravioli twice). I like to have a starter, a main course, a side  and a dessert. I’m still working on what I’ll make this year.  Here are some recipes from last year. Enjoy! Xo

Corn soup with Pesto

Roasted fennel and watercress salad with Heartbeats

Kale and rapini  Bruchetta, Seared tempeh with mustard sauce and baked squash over rice

Corn Soup

1 lg onion, diced

1-2 cloves of garlic, minced (optional)

2 sticks of celery, diced

3 cups of corn kernels

1 small green pepper,diced (optional)

1tbsp of corn oil

21/2 cups vegetable stock

11/2 cups plain soy milk or rice milk

pinch of sage

1/2tsp sea salt

Heat oil in a soup pan on medium heat, saute onion,garlic,celery and pepper until onion is soft. Add stock, corn and sage. Turn heat to low and simmer for 25 min . Pour in soy/rice milk and add the sea salt cook for 5 more minutes and serve. This soup can be blended smooth for a more creamy texture. Serve with croutons or a dollop of homemade pesto mmm

Seared Tempeh With Mustard Sauce

Sesame oil

1pkg tempeh, sliced in long this pieces

2tsp Dijon mustard

2tsp rice syrup

1 tsp ume vinegar

Heat oil in a cast iron frying pan Until hot. Add tempeh and brown 1-2 min on each side, set aside on a napkin. Mix together mustard,rice syrup and vinegar in a bowl  and spoon over tempeh. Serve with sliced green onion or parsley on top.

Optional marinade for tempeh

1tbsp shoyu

2tbsp water

1tsp ginger juice or 1tsp apple juice (for added spicy or sweet)

mix together and pour over tempeh let soak for 10-15 min before frying