Valentines Day… Is it roses all the way or Bah Humbug?

Valentines Day …Roses, hearts and flowers and maybe a cuddly toy…

It hasn’t always been like that…There are lots of tales surrounding Valentines Day but no definite actual this is really what happened…

The ancient Romans shall we start there?... The Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia between the 13th and 15th of February…Those Romans and their orgies are legendary the men sacrificed a dog and a goat and then whipped their woman with the hides from those poor animals. It seems the woman themselves were up for a beating and actually stood in line as they believed it would make them fertile…

It didn’t stop there as Emperor Claudius executed two men called Valentine on the 14th February on different years in the 3rd century A.D. The church then made martyrs of the two men…and honoured then with Valentines Day…A day of fertility and love…

Valentine’s day today is not quite so bloody it is more hearts and flowers.

Who still gets taken out on Valentine’s Day??

I never have as my husband has always said you are not my Valentine you are my wife…

Which again if you look at the original meanings he is right…Chalk that one up…I don’t often say that!

When the kids got older they used to nag him until he bought me something…haha…My first gift …A red devil complete with horns…and me so quiet, shy and retiring…haha

Fast forward to modern times and the marketing machine is running full pelt we are in Valentines Week…Yup…

Today is…February 11th…Promise Day…

The Promise day is celebrated for giving a true promise to your partners like you’ll love them and give the very best and satisfying life to partners. All lovers and couples can enjoy the Promise Day giving a true promise to your partner. This day can provide a true and healthy connection in your life.

https://visualhunt.com/re6/4b61dbd7

This so smacks of pure marketing..to which I say…Bah Humbug!

Let’s Eat!

 For everyone who is staying in either because of the weather or just because here are a few suggestions and recipes…

For starters,

if it is chilly where you live or because you love soup then a lovely bowl of tomato soup with heart-shaped croutons is just the thing.

Or do a lovely heart-shaped swirl with some soured cream which would look very pretty.

If you are seafood lovers then a lovely seafood platter is easy to do and looks quite spectacular.

seafood platter

 

Some smoked salmon, a few plump mussels, lovely grilled prawns, soft squid there is so much lovely seafood to choose from just a little of each arranged on a platter with maybe a nice drizzle of seafood sauce or a chilli sauce.

This quick little soy sauce is nice to drizzle …Finely cut a clove of garlic or two and a small piece of chopped fresh ginger, fry in a small pan , stirring to release the flavours add scant tbsp soy sauce and a half to one tbsp honey stirring and cook for 2 mins add a squeeze of lime..just taste and play with the flavours. Then drizzle as pictured…

Main course:

This chicken dish is one we make often and it is quick and easy and served with rice or potatoes and some lightly steamed vegetables it is very nice.

Lemon Chicken with caper sauce.

 

Ingredients:

• 4 Chicken Breasts (skinless)…Two if it is your special meal for two ♥
• 2/4 cloves garlic.
• 1 tbsp capers ( rinsed)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley.
• Half lemon sliced.
• 1/4 cup lemon juice.
• 1/2 pint chicken stock.
• 5 tbsp Olive Oil.
• 2 tbsp Butter.
• Parsley for garnish.

Let’s Cook!

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess flour.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat add 3 tbsp olive oil. When the oil starts to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes.

When the chicken is browned, flip and cook the other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Add another 2 tablespoons olive oil. When oil starts to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in the same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate, set to one side.

Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock, capers and garlic.

Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavour.

Check for seasoning and add lemon slices and parsley.

Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5/10 minutes depending on the size of breasts. Remove chicken to a platter.

Add 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

Serve with boiled rice or potatoes of your choice and steamed broccoli and cauliflower.

Seriously if it is for two just adjust the sauce ingredients slightly and taste…Enjoy!

Valentines Dessert

This is where I am normally too full for anything else but if you fancy a dessert…Then chocolate covered strawberries are very nice…Or just a bowl of fresh strawberries like these ones I picked up at my local market…

fresh strawberriesSimple and delicious as they are or if you have a fondue set then go for it and dip them in chocolate at the table…

 

Or a lovely strawberry mimosa…Just blend 2 cups of strawberries with half a cup of orange juice and then strain through a sieve. Chill.

Pop a strawberry in the bottom of a champagne flute, half fill with the strained strawberries and carefully top up with your favourite champers…Garnish with a fresh strawberry and there you have it… Strawberry Mimosa…

Or using the same strawberry puree to make a lovely Daiquiri… I think will go down very nicely…My preference is a strawberry Mojito…

strawberry mojito

 

Happy Valentine’s Day…

What will you be cooking or does your other half cook???

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week xx

36 thoughts on “Valentines Day… Is it roses all the way or Bah Humbug?”

  1. Pingback: Saturday Snippets…6th February 2020… | Retired? No one told me!

  2. joylennick

    Hi Carol, Although my husband now does the cooking, I often read your great recipes, and he makes the Thai chicken dishes now and then, which are yummy, also the Spanish, garlic-stuffed ones.
    I kept the Valentine card my ‘boy-friend’ sent on the 14th February, 1953 as it bore the words:. “Wot are you doin’ tomorrow?” The 15th February, 1953 was our wedding day….(Like us, it’s now rather ancient!!) Love is all….Hugs xx

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Pingback: CarolCooks2…weekly roundup 9th -15th February 2020… | Retired? No one told me!

  6. Victoria Zigler (@VictoriaZigler)

    We often do have a little treat, and maybe give each other a little something, but we don’t consider it a big deal if we do little or nothing for Valentine’s Day. We do nice things for each other all year, and celebrate our wedding anniversary when that rolls around, which are things that matter more.

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  7. Rachael Stray | https://rachaelstray.com/

    I do love chocolate covered strawberries! Valentine’s Day is just an excuse to buy stuff after a lull following Christmas in my opinion. I’ve bought my husband a card and some treats from M&S that he likes – nothing expensive just a token thing. I think we will share a nice meal at home – the M&S two dine in for £20.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. koolkosherkitchen

    My other half actually likes to cook, Carol, but I don’t let him into my kitchen, other than to take out garbage, because I hate to clean up the entire kitchen after his culinary improvisations.
    I like the idea of the Day of Promises – anything to celebrate, I am game! Strawberry mimosas are terrific, pineapple mimosas are even better, but my mojitos I prefer classic Cuban.
    I love your chicken with capers recipe. I make chicken with lemon and black olives, but this is a total different dimension – great idea! Enjoy your day, dear friend!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Luckily my son who shares the cooking in our house cleans as he goes…I like to celebrate its just all the commercialism which I don’t like ..Chicken with capers is one of our favourite recipes I also love olives with chicken as you say just different dimension for a change….Cheers dear Dolly to a classic Mojito 🙂 xx

      Liked by 1 person

      1. koolkosherkitchen

        Both my sons not only love to cook, but also clean up after themselves (trained well, I should say!). We don’t buy into commercialism; the best cards are e-cards, and the best presents are the ones actually needed, but with an extra touch of surprise. As to red roses, they are the only flowers I love, and I get them every Friday, without fail.
        I am having a Cuba Libre right now – cheers, dear friend!

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  12. petespringerauthor

    Sorry, I’m the sappy, romantic type—I like to take my wife out to dinner on Valentine’s Day. When I gained weight over the years, my wedding ring wouldn’t fit anymore, but now that’ I’ve slimmed back down, it fits comfortably. It has taken me a while to get used to wearing a ring again.

    I’ve never heard of Promise Day. It does seem a bit redundant, especially in such proximity to Valentine’s Day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Pete there a whole week of it promises, hugs, chocolate, propose, kiss, teddy’s……Pound signs….You have one lucky wife then Pete…Enjoy your meal 🙂 xx

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    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Thank you, Robbie..I have both a wedding ring and engagement ring in my jewellery box..not on my fingers…I don’t feel quite so different now…I am just not a fan of all this hype and commercialism… so false…if I recieve chocs and flowers ( very) rare… I know the feeling is meant …I think you know what I mean, Robbie ..Thank you 🙂 xx

      Liked by 1 person

      2. CarolCooks2 Post author

        When my jewelery was stolen my rings were one of the things they missed they were not in with my other jewelery which all sadly went never to be seen again …But I understand that nothing can replace them.

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