Valentines Day is on its way. Instead of going out to celebrate, why not save a few bucks and dine in. Send the kids to a friends house for the evening and enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner at your “Chez Maison”.

Set a pretty table with things you have, or go buy just two inexpensive pretty plates to accent and freshen your own dinnerware. Of course, we think of Valentines Day… in pink, red and white, but mixing some unexpected colors and patterns will add a beautiful and creative touch for that special evening .  It’s great to mix and layer plate styles, patterns and colors. Add a modern square plate, to a round contemporary plate, and top with a traditional, Asian, or cottage style plate. Set those, on a pretty table runner or cloth.   Splurge a little for some real flowers. Grocery store or yard flowers are fine. Add a few special touches to the table like, romantic candles. Make sure you light them for maximum mood. Add to the table, a framed picture of a special day you’ve had together, like your wedding day, a honeymoon picture, or an anniversay photo. Frame it in a heart shaped frame to  reminisce the event together. Don’t forget a little gift of chocolates or a love poem tied with a bow, and set on top of the plates. Also, the mood music. Pick a few songs that were popular, or were “your song” when you were dating, and play them in the background. Ummm, takes you back, huh!  Then, enjoy your meal!  What you do after that is, well, up to you!!

Penny’s short rib recipe looked so good in the previous post, here’s another one you might try.  This one is easy on a budget, easy to make, and tastes and looks elegant for Valentines Day? Enjoy!

Game Hens Marmalade

This is so easy but looks and tastes gourmet!!

2 cornish game hens, thawed, rinsed and dried.

1/2 Tbsp. browning liquid ( kitchen Bouquet, Gravy Master)

Stuffing of your choice (optional)

1/4 cup orange marmalade

1 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp. butter

Make your stuffing ahead of time. Preheat the oven to 375*, grease a baking dish.

Rub the browning liquid all over the hens.

In the microwave, melt marmalade, butter, and worchestershire sauce, about 1 min.,  Stir.

Stuff the hens and place in the baking dish.

Baste 1/2 of the glaze over the hens. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, basting with remaining glaze half way through the baking time. Test with thermometer,  into center of the stuffing, 180*. Garnish with orange slices and mint.

Serve with fresh buttered green beans or asparagus, croissant rolls, and a dinner salad. Bon Appetite!

For dessert, make ahead of time, easy chocolate dipped strawberries, plain or double dipped in nuts. Yumm, bet you don’t eat just one.

Love isn’t measured by how much you spend on someone, but by how much time someone spends with you.

Enjoy your rendezvous!  Happy Valentines Day!!