Valentines dinner at home. #MondayMunchie #eatingin #awriterslife

This month I had planned on doing  Sweets for sweethearts but we haven’t been doing those many sweets lately.February is still winter and many of us have had really cold or even snowy weather. Even here in the Midsouth its been very cold.  My hubby and I don’t celebrate valentines day. I worked as a jewelry department manager or nearly twenty years and got my fill of the commercialism and people stretching bucks, nearly in tears of how to get their special one something and still pay bills. Or go all out for that one to bring it back yelling at me because it’s in the words “A cheap fake” You name it I have probably seen or heard it. Don’t get me wrong there were sweet ones as well and I loved coming up with unique ways to help someone propose. I don’t believe we have to exchange expensive gifts to show someone we love them. Don’t get me wrong…I won’t turn down a box of chocolate LOL!

This week’s Munchie Monday I thought I would do a Valentine dinner at home. Restaurants are crowded, or expensive, or maybe you have a family to feed. Here is one of my favorite meals I  like to make the hubby and it’s easily adjustable to any size.

Cajun chicken in a parmesan sauce.  with Fettucine. Garlic toast, zesty salad and strawberry poke cake for dessert.

Cajun chicken with parmesan sauce

2 chicken breasts (or one per person

Cajun seasoning ( I like  McCormick and Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning)

1/2 box sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms

Rince and pat chicken, Season each side with seasoning and bake at 350 for 20 minutes until done ( thicker pieces will take longer)  Put mushrooms in a small dish and bake as well you can put in a teaspoon of butter if you wish.

While chicken is baking Boil water and cook Fettucine or whatever pasta you choose according to directions.

Sauce (This is a lower carb gluten-free sauce since there is no reaux  If you want it lighter use  the reduced fat cheeses)  if feeding more than four double  the recipe

4 oz cream cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

! tsp onion powder

1 tsp Garlic powder

sal t& Pepper

1/4 cup evaporated milk

2 TBS butter

In a saucepan on low heat melt butter cheeses in milk and seasonings until smooth and creamy whisking constantly add cooked mushrooms if using them.

extra parmesan cheese for garnish

To plate, Put a serving of Pasta slice and fan a chicken breast over that then top with sauce.

Restaurant style salad

2 romaine hearts (depending on how much salad you need One will feed two nicely)

2 cups of mixed baby greens or spinach.

1 sliced red onion or sweet onion

6 small multi-colored peppers or one colored pepper sliced thin

4 pepperoncini peppers optional

!/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved.

Wash produce and pat dry. ear greens into a large serving bowl add other veggies and toss

Dress with your favorite bottle caesar dressing or try this one.

Copycat Olive Garden salad dressing recipe…There are actually 5 recipes here. The Olive garden and Apple Vinaigrette I have tried and loved.

Serve with garlic breadstick or garlic bread.

For dessert, I decided to make a strawberry poke cake.  here is the recipe

If you want to make the recipe fancier you can use shrimp or scallops instead f the chicken or even thinly sliced steak that I stir fry instead of bake. If you’re doing this for  your sweetie, use pretty dishes lights some candles and HAPPY VALENTINE’S  DAY

Do you go out for Valentine’s day or prefer a romantic meal at home? Whats your favorite romantic meal?