Early on in a relationship it's not difficult to sweep your significant other off his or her feet with the simplest of acts. A box of chocolates, a bouquet of flowers, a text message, a playlist, a romantic stare across a crowded room. However, as you move on into the normalcy of everyday life it gets harder and harder to rekindle that passion that was once so abound. It seems every year into a relationship it's that much more challenging to make Valentine's Day meaningful.
As the undisputed most romantic man in Canada (I swear, I couldn't make this crap up) I'm going to let you in on my suggestions for a never-fail romantic Valentine's Day dinner for two:
Valentine's Day dinner doesn't have to be difficult or stressful—make it fun and playful. You'll be amazed how great it feels to relax, unwind and fall back in love, one meal at a time.
Is there anything better than going through your day knowing dinner is taken care of and cooking in the slow cooker? I add the hot sauce in as a garnish so it's not too spicy for the kids but I can ratchet up the heat for the adults. A delicious and filling appetizer or main that's ready for dinner whenever you are—what more can you ask for from a recipe?
Try and find an avocado that's just ripe, a bit of firmness helps it stand up to the soup. It's creamy texture next to the crunchy tortilla strips works just perfectly. If you love set it and forget it recipes like this one, check out my Slow Cooker Orange Glazed Chicken Wings.
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Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup with Chicken & Avocado
Serves: 6 to 8
Ingredients:
1 can tomato sauce (398 ml)
1 onion, sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
8 cups chicken stock
2 boneless chicken breasts, cubed
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 avocado, diced
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, for garnish
2 teaspoons clinatro, chopped, for garnish
1 teaspoon red hot sauce, for garnish
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 corn tortillas
Preparation:
Add soup ingredients to slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
When soup is nearly done cut the tortillas in half and then to thin strips. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook tortilla strips a handful at a time, until browned, about 3 minutes. Remove with tongs and place on paper towel to drain.
Serve soup in bowls, garnish with tortilla strips, lime juice, cilantro and hot sauce to taste.
Any recipe that has me toss all the ingredients into one pot and then gets devoured by my kids is an instant winner. These chicken wings are so simple to make and their sweet and tangy sauce will certainly win your crew over as well. My kids like their wings a bit crispy, so I'll usually toss them in a roasting pan under the broiler for 15 minutes before serving—but they're just as delicious right out of the pot.
The slow cooker in our house gets its share of a workout during the winter months, and it's important to keep in mind that there are plenty of great things you can do with it other than soups and stews. Reminiscent of honey garlic wings with a citric Asian twist, try these wings alongside Honey Garlic Ribs, stir-fried vegetables and rice to serve up your own homemade feast.
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Slow Cooker Orange Glazed Chicken Wings
Serves: 4 to 6
Ingredients:
3 lbs chicken wings
1 jar orange marmalade (500ml)
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 green onions, sliced
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tespoons Frank's Red Hot sauce
Preparation:
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