Valentine’s Day Menu – Recipes for Romance

Mariel here. In honor of Cupid’s Big Day, SpringPadIt.com (a free online organizational tool) asked us to assemble our warmest, fuzziest, most delectable “Recipes for Romance”…and we thought we’d share our menu with you. Naturally I’m biased, but the below dishes just happen to represent a hit-parade of my all-time faves, and if someone happened to take it upon himself to whip up one or two, I’d melt like a pocket full of chocolate. In fact, I even put a little star next to my own personal preference for each category, just in case someone – eh hem – is looking for ideas.

And, if you’re heading out for dinner but would like to bake a quick and easy V-Day treat (that’s also super cheap, i.e. $0.99 for a batch of 12), check out my mom’s Linzer Tart recipe.

Appeteasers:
*Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup
Crabcakes with Jalapeno Aioli

The Main Event:
Roasted Chicken with Figs, Wild Rice and Sweet Onions
Herb and Honey Marinated Sirloin
Braised Lamb Shanks with Fresh Herbs
Risotto with Shrimp and Zucchini
*Japanese Miso Cod

Saucy Sides:
Roasted Beets with Pears & Feta
*Wild Rice Salad with Montrachet
Roasted Asparagus with Sesame Seeds

On a Sweet Note:
Chocolate Gateau with Almonds
*Cheesecake with Raspberry Puree
Chocolate Mint Brownies