Jedi Chef Travels: VDay treats

SomeofusloveValentine’s Day, thrilled at the prospect of spending an entire day celebrating it. Others feel like the popular version of love hasbeencommercialized and confused. Regardless of how you feel about Valentine’s Day, the “holiday of love” is one of the most popular traditions in global culture.

Throughout the history of Valentine’s Day, people have used the holiday as an excuse to celebrate romantic love and passion. These days, it’s also a time to celebrate platonic love, with everyone from elementaryaged children to the elderly sharing valentines.

Roses, chocolates, and evenjewelryarecommongifts alongwithcardsandpoemsof love, but the romantic dinner is the most widely given gift. Ifyouchoosetostayhomeand spoil that someone special, here is a fun idea sure to be a hit.

Honey garlic glazed salmon, with green bean almondine and a chocolate covered strawberry brownie.

Honey garlic glazed salmon Ingredients 1/3 cup honey 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided.

Salmon fillets patted dry with a paper towel.

Add a pinch of Kosher salt Add a pinch of black pepper, freshly ground.

3 clove garlic, minced. 1lemon,slicedintorounds. add parsley, freshly chopped, for garnish.

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, lemon juice and red pepper flakes.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat two tablespoons of oil. When oil is hot but not smoking, add salmon skin-side up and season with salt and pepper. Cook salmon until deeply golden, approximately six minutes, then flip over and addtheremainingtablespoon of oil.

Add garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, approximately one minute. Add the honey mixture and sliced lemons and cook until sauce is reduced by about 1/3. Baste salmon with the sauce.

Garnish with sliced lemon and parsley to serve.

Green bean almondine Ingredients 1 lbs. fresh green beans 1 ½ oz.slivered almonds. 2 tablespoons butter 2 cloves garlic, minced, or more to taste. salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Instructions

Place beans into a microwave-safe casserole dish with enough water to cover the bottom. Microwave on high power until almost tender,8to10minutes.Drain in a colander and refresh under cold running water to keep the nice green color.

Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add almonds and cook until just starting to turn golden, about 5 minutes, watching closely to not burn. Take pan off heat and add butter to melt. Return to heat and add garlic. Mix in green beans, season with salt and pepper, and continue to stir until heated through, 5 to 7 minutes.

Chocolate covered strawberry brownie Ingredients

1 box brownie mix, plus ingredients called for on box. 1 1/2 cup halved strawberries.

2 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° and line an 8”-x-8” pan with parchment paper.

Make brownies: Prepare brownie batter according to package instructions. Pour batter into prepared pan and bakeuntilatoothpickinserted into the middle comes out with only a few moist crumbs, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan, then top with strawberries.

To make the ganache: Place chocolate chips in a medium, heatproof bowl and set aside. Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. When bubbles begin to break the surface around the edges of the pan, turn off the heat. Pour the hot cream over chocolate chips. Let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk constantly until the sauce is smooth. Pour over the strawberry layer.

Refrigerate brownies until the ganache has set, about 15 minutes. Slice into squares and serve cold.