What are some recipes and meals that one could make for Valentine's Day?

Looking for new thoughts on preparing an intimate Valentines Day dinner? Valentine's Day is all about the mood and atmosphere so begin by picking out your favorite music. Then consider the atmosphere you can create. Candles can do wonders and a few strategically placed red light bulbs will soften the light and add to the mood. The added bonus is that a woman's face softens in the pink hues of the red light bulb. Think of where you want to host your dinner. Are you sit at the table people or will putting a tablecloth over the coffee table and sitting on the carpeted (or pillow if no carpet) floor be more your style? By considering other places within your home to serve dinner you start by putting your companion a little off balance thus spicing up the night right away.

Starting with a romantic drink. Wine or a fruity drink is preferable, for example:

Passion Fruit Mimosa:

1 cup chilled Champagne and 1/2 cup chilled passion fruit juice

Pour equal amounts of Champagne in two wine flutes. Top off

each with the juice.

Valentine's Day is about romance and love so why not go with foods that are all eaten with your fingers. Put strawberries in your flutes, these can be picked out with your fingers. As an appetizer, plate of red pears and a soft cheese (Edam or Monterey Jack) with crackers.

Another option: Brie and Mango Quesadillas - 1 medium red onion, sliced thin; 2 Tbsp Olive oil; 1-6" wheel of brie cheese; 1 ripe mango peeled, seeded & chopped into small cubes; flour tortillas Heat oil and cook onion until soft. Remove outer layer from brie cheese. Crumble cheese in a bowl and add the mango, chilies and cooked onions and mix. Place 3 Tbsps of brie mix in center of one tortilla round. Place another on top and cook Quesadilla on both sides until lightly browned on each side. Cut like a pizza and serve.

Dinner - easy Salmon:

Mix together 2 Tbsp Olive oil; 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp grated ginger or ginger spice; 2 Tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp minced garlic; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp paprika & 2 salmon steaks.

Mix ingredients, add salmon and let stand (at room temp) for 20 minutes. Put salmon on sheet of tin foil, turn up edges and spoon a little extra sauce over top. Cover with another sheet of tin foil and fold up the edges. Place on the bbq grill for approximately 10 minutes or in the oven at 350 degrees Farenheit for 15 minutes. Salmon should be cooked through and flakey.

Serve with steamed asparagus and wild rice.

Dessert can be something as easy as sliced fruit and whipped cream. Another option is a flourless chocolate cake or perhaps

Moscato Wine cookies: 1/2lb butter at room temp; 1/2 cup sugar; 2.5 cups flour; 1/3 cup Moscato wine.

Blend sugar and butter until well whipped. Add wine and beat for approximately 3 minutes. Add flour until just mixed together. Drop by tsp onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees Farenheit for 13 minutes. Remove from oven, wait 2 minutes and then sprinkle with confectioner's (powdered) sugar. Serve with the remaining Moscato wine.