Super Bowl & Valentine's Day Ideas

I've had a crazy month  week-- from being sick with a winter cold to dealing with a broken water heater, a flat tire that needed repair and needing new brakes on my car.  Somehow I managed to twist my body in the wrong way, which required a visit to my chiropractor. On top of that, I did something funky to my ankle, during a water aerobics class, and I'm limping a little bit.   The dust is settling, and I'm on the mend-- and it's all good.   I have some new recipes to post, but -- as you can see-- I have run out of time. Instead, I've decided to post a few recipes that are some of my husband's favorite meals. Maybe I can inspire someone to make a special Valentine's Day dinner for your loved one-- and that includes a spouse, family member or great friend.

Valentine's Day holds a very special place in my heart.  My husband proposed to me on Valentine's Day 2005, after dating for more than a year-- and we were married almost a year later.  Yes, he's a very romantic guy and I am a very lucky woman. Do I hear an "awwwwwwww"?   In truth, I prefer to not go out on Valentine's Day.  I don't particularly care for the hustle and bustle and price-inflated Valentine's special menus.  Instead, I like to make a special dinner for just the two of us-- at home.  There is a catch though-- I collect a rain check for us to enjoy a romantic dinner after February 14th.  You bet! 

Filet of Beef Au Poivre is a dinner I posted about 1 1/2 years ago (my, how time flies).  The Cognac-Cream sauce was easy to make, and so delicious.  So far, this is the dinner I'll most likely prepare since Valentine's Day falls on a week night.  How can anyone go wrong with roasted asparagus served on the side? The cost of making this dinner is a fraction of what we'd pay at a nice restaurant.  The only downside is having to do the cleanup-- but, my husband is always willing to help out. 

Chicken-Fried Steak isn't as fancy a dinner- but I can tell you that my husband loves this deep-fried steak.  The crust (dipped in buttermilk and seasoned flour) has a nice crunch to it, and the gravy is manly meal that pleases him very well, indeed.  Served with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans (rather than broccoli), he would be a very happy husband. 

Last year, I made this Coeur a la Creme dessert for my sweetheart.  We both enjoyed the silky texture of this cream cheese and heavy whipped cream dessert.  These two rich dairy products are whipped together with heavy cream, with the added brightness of lemon zest.  A Raspberry-Chambord Coulis Sauce is very easy to make.  It's such a light dessert and the bright red of the dessert sauce says "Happy Valentine's Day". I'm making this again, since it was a success (and so easy to do).

But, before Valentine's Day, we have our Super Bowl Sunday munchies to think about.  Guacamole is a given, of course.  There are a few recipes that I will be making, so I thought I'd share them with you.

 Shredded Pork Taquitos-- I love these!  I sear and roast a pork butt roast and then cook this in a pressure cooker with a Chili Verde Sauce. I've made my own chili verde sauce, but Trader Joe's sells a great bottled one. Why not take a short-cut.  This can be cooked in a Dutch Oven, nice and slow or in a slow-cooker, too.

I miss our summer tomatoes, so that I can make fresh Pico De Gallo.  However, this easy restaurant-style salsa is very easy to make.  I'll be whipping up a big batch for Super Bowl.  

We keep things simple on Super Bowl Sunday.   Of course, I'll make my Chili Con Carne (with pinto beans and ground beef, thank you very much).  I'll do my best to write down measurements and to take photos, since I've never posted the recipe.  

I have a few recipes to share with you in the coming week.   Hopefully, I'll have a much lighter work week ahead.   I think Murphy's Law has hit me enough times, that the coming week should be smoother sailing. I'll be back!

I'm curious-- do you have any special dishes you like to make for either Super Bowl or Valentine's Day?