A 3-Course Valentine’s Day Meal that’s Truly Good for the Heart

There is a lot of hype around Valentine’s Day. Guys, I’m going to throw you a bone here, you have it rough. Many of us ladies expect you to plan something romantic, original and surprising. That’s a lot of pressure! And, if you’re the kind that likes to go out and chip away at Washingtonian’s Top 100 list or the DC Eater Heatmap, chances are you’re looking at elusive reservations and pricey checks.

In lieu of all the production and planning, dare I suggest you…eat at home? A homemade meal enjoyed in the comfort of your own home might just be the most unique and thoughtful gastronomic gesture of all. Better yet, you’ll be healthier, richer and experience way more intimacy than if you were squished into banquette seating with hoards of other couples out on the town.

To help get those culinary creative juices flowing, here are three of my favorite heart-healthy and delicious recipes perfect for a party of two “prix fixe menu”.

 

Starter: Plum, Kale and Feta Salad

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Heart-healthy ingredient: Kale. Kale is rich in lutein, a compound recently linked to preventing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

 

Main: Apple Pecan Butter Salmon, Sriracha-Maple Brussels Sprouts and Roasted Rosemary Potatoes 

Salmon-Fillets

Heart-healthy ingredient: Salmon. Salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which decrease LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and reduce inflammation in blood vessels.

 

Dessert: Gluten Free Strawberry Balsamic Tart

Gluten Free Strawberry Balsamic Tart

Heart-healthy ingredient: Strawberry. Strawberries contain heart-healthy essentials fiber, potassium and antioxidants, and are naturally fat, sodium and cholesterol-free.

 

3 Simple, Healthy Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Dinner

My favorite meals involve simple foods whose delicious flavors speak for themselves. When you select fresh, seasonal produce you don’t need to get fancy with your seasoning and technique in order to make an amazing meal. These three recipes are easy to make and tasty to eat. Each features at least one superfood, including rosemary, Brussels sprouts and salmon.

Rosemary is a flavorful herb often used when cooking chicken and pork. It’s truly a superspice as it has been linked to stimulating the immune system, increasing circulation and improving digestion. These health benefits come from rosemary’s high nutrient density (vitamins A and C, several B vitamins and dietary fiber). Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory compounds and has been shown to increase the blood flow to the head and brain, which may enhance concentration. 

Brussels sprouts are all the rage (and have been for the past few years) on the foodie scene. Beyond their culinary fame lies an incredible nutrition resume. Brussels sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable, a categorization that puts them in the good company of broccoli and cabbage. This superfood is a prime source of fat-soluble vitamins A, K and E, most of the B complex of vitamins, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, calcium, manganese and selenium.

Salmon is a yummy, fatty fish loaded with potassium, selenium and vitamin B12. More notably, however, it’s an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which are crucial for healthy brain function. One 3.5 oz serving contains about 230 calories and 25g of protein. The USDA recommends that all men and women over the age of 19 should get at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (or 0.37 grams per pound). This number goes up for more active individuals but the formula provides a good baseline.

 

Onto the recipes…

Simply Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

What You’ll Need:

  • 3 cups small white or fingerling potatoes
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 2-3 Tbs fresh rosemary
  • 3 Tbs olive oil
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Them:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Wash potatoes and halve lengthwise. Skin onion and cut into big chunks (eighths or even quarters).
  3. In large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh rosemary (de-stemmed and roughly chopped) with potatoes and red onion. Toss until evenly coated.
  4. Spread into a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Roast for 35-40 min or until a fork goes in and out easily, but they aren’t mushy.

Simply Roasted Sriracha-Maple Brussels Sprouts

What You’ll Need:

  • 3 cups Brussels sprouts
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 2 whole scallions
  • 2 Tbs Sriracha
  • 1 Tbs real maple syrup
  • 3 Tbs olive oil
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Them:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Trim and halve Brussels sprouts. Skin onion and cut into big chunks (eighths or even quarters)–hopefully you already did this when you prepped the potatoes.
  3. In a large bowl, combine scallions (thinly sliced), Sriracha, maple syrup, olive oil and salt and pepper. Mix. Add Brussels sprouts and onions and toss until evenly coated.
  4. Spread into a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Roast for 35-40 min or until the Brussels sprout leaves turn a dark golden brown (almost burnt but not quite) and are easily pierced with a fork.

 

Simply Baked Apple Pecan Butter Salmon

What You’ll Need:

  • 12-oz thickly cut, fresh wild-caught salmon
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 Tbs apple pecan butter (plain apple butter or a homemade jam would work as well)
  • Juice of 1/2 fresh lemon
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

  1. Preheat oven to 450 F.
  2. Place the salmon in an oven-safe pan, skin side down.
  3. Rub with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, spread a thin layer of apple pecan butter on top and squeeze the juice of half a lemon on top.
  4. Bake for 15-20 min (time will vary depending on thickness), then remove from heat and let sit for 5 min before serving.