Leslie Dabney, The Vineyard Mom, shares dinner and dessert recipes you can make with your Valentine or for your Valentine!
Creamy Scallops and Roasted Bell Peppers with Spaghetti
1 lb spaghetti pasta
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 lb of scallops
¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves of garlic, minced
¼ cup roasted bell peppers, drained and finely chopped
2 teaspoons lemon zest
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 ¼ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoon fresh parsley,
Chopped Parmesan cheese for serving
Cook spaghetti according to package directions for al dente.
Drain.
Meanwhile, heat a large skillet on high heat with extra virgin olive oil.
Season scallops with salt and pepper.
Add scallops to the skillet in a single layer.
Let the scallops sear for 1-2 minutes.
Turn and sear for another 1-2 minutes.
Add butter, garlic, roasted red bell peppers and lemon zest to the pan.
Saute for 1 minute.
Pour in cream, lemon lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of parsley.
Add cooked drained pasta to the pan and simmer in the sauce with the scallops for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and garnish with Parmesan cheese and the remainder of the chopped parsley.
Serve immediately.
Pair with a Pino noir or a Chardonnay, depending on your mood for red or white.
Tiramisu Dip
16 ounces of Mascarpone cheese, softened
2 tablespoons of confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, plus some for garnish
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1 pint of heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Lady finger cookies for dipping
In a bowl, beat the softened Mascarpone cheese, 2 tbsp of confectioners sugar, cocoa powder and instant espresso until smooth.
With a hand mixer, whip the cream with the remaining confectioners sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
Fold almost all of the whipping cream into the cheese mixture.
Leave a little of the whipping cream for topping.
Divide the tiramisu dip into small glasses and top with a dollop of the whipping cream.
Sprinkle with some cocoa for garnish. Serve with lady fingers or your favorite cookie for dipping.
Recipes courtesy of: Leslie Dabny, The Vineyard Mom @thevineyardmomliving.
