Valentine's Day is not just about steak!!

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, I mistakenly thought that Valentine's Day was all about a steak dinner with all of the trimmings.  A dozen roses and a nice bottle of bubbly just added to the romance running through my mind.  Now I am definitely not opposed to all of those lovely things, but.... there are a lot of other ways to celebrate the day.

For one thing table decorations don't have to be elaborate or expensive.  How about using some red candy, red hots, maybe?  Add a plain white candle and a simple clear glass vase.  Fill the vase about halfway with the candy and place the candle firmly in the vase.  There is a very simple centerpiece.  You could add a few votive candles and sprinkle some message hearts or other inexpensive Valentine candy around all of it on the table.  Add some plain white napkins tied up with a bit of red ribbon and you have a very festive looking table.  This is an inexpensive décor, it is lots of fun reading those message candies and you even have an edible centerpiece.

The next item is planning the menu.  I always want to cook and serve in the same dish whenever it is possible.  A CorningWare baking dish is always a good serving dish, clean up is easy and it cooks things evenly.  I like serving stuffed Cornish Game Hens for a very simple and elegant menu.  Chicken breasts could always be used as a good substitution.

Stuffed Cornish Game Hens

• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 2 medium zucchini, shredded
• 3 slices bread, cubed
• 1 egg
• ½ cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 2 Cornish game hens, thawed
• Salt and pepper to taste

1.       To prepare stuffing; melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add zucchini and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add bread, egg, cheese and seasonings. Blend completely.

2.       Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the game hens. Stuff the cavities of the hens. Place in 9x13 CorningWare baking dish and bake for 45 minutes until fork tender.

This is a very tasty dish and only needs a crusty French bread and a salad to complete the meal.

Slice the French bread, wrap it in foil and put it in the oven for the last 5 or 10 minutes of the baking time for the hens.

A complimentary green salad might be baby greens and spinach tossed with some roasted pecans and dried cranberries. Toss with your favorite dressing.

Of course my favorite dessert with this meal would be chocolate dipped strawberries.

Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day.

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