Potato Salad with a Harissa-Style Dressing

Potato salads are popular year spherical. This harissa-style potato salad is one so as to especially enchantment to spice lovers. If you already know you may be eating with fellow spice fiends and family over the holidays, or simply want to shake up the potluck or beautify your meals any time of yr, then this salad if just the thing. It fills out any number of dinners, and as it is African in starting place, it does work especially properly whilst served as a part of an African themed meal.

Harissa is a staple condiment that is extensively utilized in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines and sincerely a staple factor in many pantries around the world. As it is simple to make and continues in a well-sealed jar for lots months, I pick the home made variations, such as the only featured right here on Lisa's Kitchen. The major functions of harissa are hot chilies, fragrant spices, sometimes garlic and bell peppers. Olive oil poured over pinnacle of the harissa in a nicely-sealed jar has a reasonably long shelf life.

For this salad, you don't want to have harissa on hand even though due to the fact you're making up simply the proper amount for the salad. If you do occur to have harissa on hand, you may use that as opposed to making up your personal pepper paste, however I located making it up right away for this salad delivered a nice refreshing contact with minimal effort.

This salad may be organized ahead of time and ignored to serve at room temperature. In reality, letting it sit permits the flavors a risk to combo. If you do use your very own harissa, how tons you operate relies upon on warm your harissa is. I could advocate approximately half of tablespoon - you may also need to add some teaspoons of lime juice to the quantity of pre-made harissa you make a decision to apply.

Other potato salads to revel in from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Indian-Style Potato and Pea Salad with Tamarind and Chat Masala

Skillet Potato Salad with Fresh Basil and Cilantro

Herbed Potato and Green Bean Salad with Olives

Creamy Potato Salad with Cashew Dressing and Fresh Basil

Deiss Kitchenware Giveaway

It's been some time considering the fact that I've presented my readers a thank you with a giveaway. This time, in collaboration with Deiss Kitchenware, I am doing a vacation giveaway. Deiss Kitchenware had been kind enough to provide me a few samples to attempt for myself, and high-quality of thinking about my readers, a hazard so as to try some of their quality offerings to your very own kitchen.

A properly pro cook dinner is often a nicely stocked cook, and if you're like me, similarly to lots of staple meals and cookware, I appear to have an overstuffed drawer with all kinds of kitchen gadgets and utensils. Here is your risk to update your used kitchenware with these vibrant new ones. And in case you don't have already got those objects, I've absolute confidence you will locate them beneficial, reliable and of the best high-quality.

This is what my readers may have a hazard to win:

Deiss ART 5-Piece Nylon Utensil Set, a Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater and Deiss ART Silicone Collapsible Funnel Set - Rounded & Squared Foldable Funnels

Three winners will win all three of these handsome offerings, so long as they reside in Canada or the US. Keep reading to see how to enter.

As an avid cook that values a quality product, I can personally attest that Deiss makes very reliable and durable kitchen helpers that are of professional quality but very reasonably priced. In particular, I already own the Deiss lemon zester and cheese grater, a firm grip vegetable peeler and also an apple corer and slicer set. Solidly made, they do the job like a charm. When I acquired these items a few years back, I tossed my not-so-great equivalents away, pretty much right away!

I think the one I was most satisfied with was the zester and grater, and as one of the offerings for this giveaway is this fantastic tool, I'm glad to say you'll be impressed by its efficiency in getting the job done. It is sharp, but it comes with a cover so that you don't cut yourself if you happen to be digging around the drawer to fetch it. It's also a breeze to clean. Before I had the Deiss zester and grater, I had pretty much given up on getting one that actually worked, but for a very reasonable price, this one changed my whole view of this tool. Of course, I have larger cheese graters, but those are basically useless for getting that fine zest, and the Deiss cheese grater is compact, so no need to pull out the more cumbersome graters or tools. Much the same can be said of the Deiss apple corer and cutter and their razor sharp vegetable peeler too. With firm grip handles, the cook is in control of the tools, the stainless steal blades ensure that the tools will remain sharp for years, and they are dishwasher safe too.

I'm looking forward to receiving the Deiss funnel set and the utensil set too. If they are anything like the other Deiss products I have had the pleasure to use, then I know I won't be disappointed and I welcome the opportunity to replace the ones I currently use. The funnel set is a space saver, and if you happen to have hooks or a utensil jar on your counter, then the utensil set would fit right in and would be conveniently accessible. The utensil set does not contain toxins and is safe for cooking. Otherwise, into the drawer they go, and any older plastic or battered ones can be tossed right into the bin.

Without further ado, to take part in the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment here and tell me what your favorite kitchen gadget is. What is the gadget or utensil you find absolutely indispensable and could not imagine being without? It does not have to be one of the ones I am offering here. Please also visit and like Deiss Official and Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen on Facebook. Deiss also has an Instagram page. The contest is open to residents of Canada and the US. Along with your comment, I also need you to leave contact info, meaning your email address if you are not a blogger or if your blog doesn't happen to have contact information associated with it. This is important, otherwise I will have no way of contacting the winners.

The contest runs from today, December 18th, and will run until January 2nd, 2019. After the closing date, I will do a random draw and three lucky winners will each receive the three prizes that I am offering here. A special thanks to Deiss Kitchenware for giving me this opportunity.

Merry Christmas from Lisa's Kitchen and good luck.

Dark Chocolate Beetroot Fudge {Vegan}

Indulgent treats are famous throughout the iciness months and maximum especially in December, however it's no longer just due to the holiday season however additionally due to the fact we often preference a treat to pick out us up all through the cold and gloomy months of wintry weather. And, as far as I am worried, goodies like fudge are actually delicious any time of 12 months, particularly whilst they're smooth to make and preserve nicely.

If you revel in a few nuts to your fudge, then you may certainly need to do this one. Finely chopped walnuts upload a pleasing crunchy comparison to the wealthy and moist fudge this is sweetened with succulent medjool dates. The taste of beet is nearly imperceptible, however their addition does add a hint of sweetness and moistness. It's as a substitute like a wealthy fudgy brownie, with out the addition of flour.

Essentially no-bake, handiest the beet must be cooked beforehand of time, both by way of roasting within the oven or boiling till fork tender. The chocolate is also melted in a small saucepan and then delivered into the food processor. This recipe is straightforward to put together and the only barely time-consuming factors are reducing the nuts finely, pitting and kind of cutting the dates, and having the endurance to gently melt the chocolate over low warmth so it does now not burn. The fudge is stored in the fridge or freezer, and will closing for a very good while, specifically if you make a decision to freeze it.

The best aspect approximately this kind of sweet that I I normally have reachable is that they're selfmade, pretty regularly uncooked, pleasurable and basically properly for you too, supplied the urge to over-indulge is resisted. A few small nibbles of this rich fudge is all that is in reality needed to fulfill even the fiercest longing for chocolate.

More decadent but wholesome fudge recipes to experience from Lisa's Kitchen:

Raw Peanut and Coconut Butter Fudge

Cocoa Nut Butter No-Bake Fudge

No-Bake Coconut Oil Fudge

Raw Peanut Butter Fudge

No-Bake Peanut Butter and Cocoa Fudge

Tahini Freezer Fudge Vegan

Miso Sesame Shortbread Cookies

I can honestly say that these must be the first-class shortbread cookies I have ever tasted. And they are made with miso too! If that sounds sudden, the miso provides most effective a hint of saltiness that really enhances the wonder of the maple syrup-sweetened shortbread. Light, flaky and buttery, sesame seeds at the outdoor of the cookies add a pleasing comparison and a bit delightful sesame flavor too.

An introduced bonus is that those shortbread cookies are smooth to make too. They're made sheet-fashion, which means which you press the dough down onto a prepared baking sheet and cut into rectangular shapes, pushing them barely apart, however the cookies will nevertheless be baked intently together.

Although the recipe is straightforward, it's now not pretty so smooth to stop oneself from over-indulging. But they do keep nicely within the refrigerator for a great week or so in a protected container, and they freeze nicely too.

Other shortbread recipes to experience from Lisa's Kitchen:

Italian Lemon Cornmeal Shortbread

Peanut Butter and Blueberry Shortbread Bars

Spicy White Cheddar Shortbread Crackers

Savory Coriander, Black Pepper and Cheese Shortbread

Rosemary Parmesan Shortbread

Jalape?O Cheddar Shortbread

Mung Beans in a Creamy Tomato Coconut Milk Sauce

Sweet and creamy inexperienced mung beans prepare dinner up quick and pair properly with such a lot of one of a kind spices that they always make for an clean, nourishing and tasty midweek dinner. So long as your beans haven't been sitting around for months in your pantry, they sincerely best require three to 4 hours soaking time, rather than an overnight soak. Despite the longish list of elements, this dish of earthy mung beans simmered in a tangy spiced tomato, coconut milk and tamarind sauce comes together in very little time and has an array of scrumptious flavors that would make it a celeb on any event. It is truly a welcome exchange after some of the rich and filling meals enjoyed over the vacation season.

Other mung bean recipes to enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Spicy Mung Beans with Chilies and Fresh Lime Juice

Mung Bean and Tamarind Dal

Mung Beans with Fresh Mustard Greens

Mussoorie Mung Beans and Winter Vegetables

Classic Mulligatawny Soup

Mulligatawny, meaning literally pepper water, is an English creation and essentially based totally on South Indian rasam. Rasams are brothy soups that usually characteristic tamarind and chilies, and although there is not clearly a definitive model of Mulligatawny soup, my preference has constantly been the ones greater intently prompted via South Indian cuisine. There are very many distinctive preparations which have advanced over the years. Usually pretty brothy, there also are creamy variations and ones that are not quite so warm or highly spiced.

I call this one a classic because it's miles loosely based on recollections of one of the first vegetarian Mulligatawny soups I ever tried, and that become at a local Indian restaurant within the town I reside in. It changed into free of bird broth, and therefore a possible option for vegetarians. It also most intently resembled a classic rasam. Basically, I wanted to recreate my initial leisure of a brothy and chili-infused instruction. I realize that once hit with chills or sniffles, this Mulligatawny constantly regarded just like the soup to go to. After many years of making my very own Mulligatawny, I hit the jackpot with this one. And my exceptional friend Basil has been watching for me to create just the soup he so fondly remembers, and together with his eager nod and exclamations of approval, I'm quite satisfied that I did certainly finally acquire the end result I was searching out.

Sweet and bitter tamarind melds superbly with masses of warmth from sparkling chilies, a few tartness from tomato, and a few texture with only a hint of creaminess from break up urad beans. The brothy detail is just want I become seeking out, and it's easy to make and well perfect to play around with ? To make it warmer, upload greater chilies, or fewer for a mellower experience. It is excellent in case you make the soup the day earlier than helping allow the flavors a danger to mixture collectively for a harmonious taste enjoy. May be served as a starter soup or as a part of the principle meal.

I served this because the first course for my Christmas vegetarian meal, which was followed through a savory samosa potpie and for dessert, a raspberry and blackberry dark chocolate truffle tart with a teff crust.

Other highly spiced soups to revel in from Lisa's Kitchen:

Tomato Tamarind Soup (Rasam)

Spicy Lentil Rasam

Spicy Yellow Lentil Soup

Curried Indian Vegetable Soup

On the top of the reading stack: Kolyma Stories

Portobello Mushroom "Steaks"

Succulent and flavorful mushrooms are an excellent way to fulfill a yearning for earthy mushrooms. Baked within the oven for more or less 30 minutes in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar marinade with aromatic seeds, herbs and spices, those mushrooms are filling sufficient to exhibit because the middle piece of a meal while served with other grilled or cooked veggies, and possibly a light soup at the facet. Though I have not eaten meat for over 25 years - sure, that consists of fish too - those are decidedly meaty in texture and I even used a steak knife to reduce them into bite-sized pieces. An actually pleasurable eating revel in for those of us who honestly can not get sufficient mushrooms and also you without a doubt do not need to be a vegetarian to experience them.

Other mushroom recipes to enjoy from Lisa's Kitchen:

Herbed Marinated Mushrooms

Portobello Quinoa Stuffed "Sandwich"

Stuffed Mushrooms with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Goat Cheese and Olives

Portobellos Stuffed with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

No-Bake Almond Butter Cookies

When a yearning for a cookie hits, I find that there are truely no feasible or tasty alternatives available apart from making my very own, or having some selfmade ones on hand. It's nearly impossible to effectively buy simply one cookie, aside from a very sugary one from a local coffee prevent ? In any other case, the choice seems to be to buy an entire bag on the grocery save, once more of commonly inferior first-class and honestly over-priced if now not. I don't want a whole bag of cookies that I might not in reality revel in, nor a 1/2 dozen or greater from the grocery shop bakery. Thankfully, with a touch planning beforehand, I could make up a reasonably sized batch on the way to maintain nicely within the fridge and, in lots of cases, may be saved within the freezer.

These almond oatmeal cookies are just one example, and one in every of my new favorites, due to the fact they do not even require any baking time and they're so accurate for you that you may even enjoy one for breakfast. Just excellent healthy rolled oats stirred on the range pinnacle into a pot of coconut oil and delicious almond butter sweetened with natural maple syrup and flavored with cinnamon, then pressed into cookie shapes and refrigerated. If you preferred chewy fresh baked oatmeal cookies as a child or as an person, you'll love these cookies as they have got plenty the same taste however stay chewy for as long as you preserve them in the fridge ? For up to 3 weeks without dropping their freshness and appeal. And ingesting this kind of non-baked cookies is a far better alternative than shop-bought oatmeal cookies and if playing for breakfast, a much more healthy preference than a bowl of boxed, sugary nuked cereal.

Other no-bake treats from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Raw Peanut Butter Cookies

Oat and Peanut Butter Energy Nibbles

Cherry Nut Bars

Nut Bars with Dark Chocolate Chunks

No-Bake Trail Mix Energy Bites

No-Bake Blueberry Bars

Amazing Lentil Energy Bites

Protein bites are an first rate and delicious way to begin your day and also are very reachable to have around when a little wanted pick-me-up snack is needed at any point for the duration of the day. I continually try and make sure some chunk-size protein snacks are accessible. I've made dozens of various such snacks over the years, and I will continually be making new ones. They have become an important home made staple.

And searching for new thoughts, what higher way to without a doubt ensure that you are getting a boost of protein for your snacks than to feature lentils, that's the specifically particular element of those attractive little energy bites. Earthy lentils not most effective add protein, however they're mixed with oats, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds and almond butter ? All plentiful resources of protein themselves ? To make a bite that's really loaded with proteins, textures and tastes.

Dried shredded coconut, darkish chocolate and a bit maple syrup add even more taste to these remarkable electricity bites. Each bite is a medley of flavors and textures ? Earthy, nutty, chocolatey and candy however now not overly so ? And delightfully gentle, chewy and crunchy. Eating simply one will rarely do because they're so delicious, but they're very filling too. And like so many vegan protein snacks, they may be without a doubt easy to make with only measuring gear, a bowl, a blending spoon and your hands ? No need for the food processor for this recipe.

This recipe comes from The High-Protein Vegan Cookbook: 125+ Hearty Plant-Based Recipes , a new plant-based cookbook from Ginny Kay McMeans — author, photographer and blogger behind Vegan in the Freezer — that features recipes high in protein. Shortly before Christmas I received a copy for possible review on my blog, and I didn't realize that I was hungry at the time until I opened the book and started rifling through the pages.

As a vegetarian, and I expect even greater so for vegans who comply with a strictly plant-based eating regimen, likely the maximum frequently asked question after "simply what DO you devour?" is "just in which DO you get your protein from?" ? As if vegetarians and vegans only ate leafy inexperienced salads and greens. In fact, I've lengthy known that many plant foods are an wonderful supply of protein, including nuts, seeds, legumes and quinoa. But I admit that it wasn't a lesson I knew thoroughly after I first have become a vegetarian, and it is an essential vital lesson to study even extra so for folks who are starting out on a vegan weight loss plan.

The trick for vegans or even for those who just want to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet is to use a variety of these plant proteins throughout the day to make sure that you are getting all of the nine essential amino acids that don't always appear in every plant protein by itself. Nut butters, for example, are always a quick and easy high protein go-to for me during the day, in addition to the legume and grain based dinners I make. And it doesn't hurt to combine these plant proteins with fruits, vegetables and seasonings into delicious and interesting creations, which is exactly what Ginny Kay McMeans does in The High-Protein Vegan Cookbook: 125+ Hearty Plant-Based Recipes .

This new cookbook is split into six chapters for consuming tantalizing and excessive protein plant-based totally foods at some point of the day. "Power-Up Appetizers" gets your party going and your appetites dancing with recipes which includes Lentil Balls in Sweet and Spicy Red Sauce, Tempeh Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms and Chickpea Salad Crostini. "Breakfast Power" will have you ever starting your day with energizing Buckwheat Coconut Porridge, Savory Quinoa Breakfast Cups or possibly Lemon Strawberry Protein Muffins. One should not forget "Lunch Bowls, Chilies and Sandwiches" and your mid-day meal could be particularly fun with a few Portobello Mushroom Gyros, possibly a Chopped Chickpea Salad Veggie Bowl or a Touch of the Tropic Rice Bowl. "Portable Snacks" like those extremely good lentil strength bites, Tropical Lemon Protein Bites and Chocolate Cake Munch Cookies will preserve you energized every time you experience like a lift, and "Protein-Packed Dinners" will entire your busy day with thoughts like Chickpea Tortilla Fajita Stacks, Three-Layer Tacos with Kale Salad and Superpower Stuffed Poblano Peppers. There's also a bankruptcy on making your very own seitan and using it to make Steamed Seitan Smoky Nuggets, or if you please, Steamed Seitan Chipotle Links ? The recipes on this bankruptcy may be utilized in a number of the other recipes in the book.

I'm searching forward to trying a number of the creative and tempting recipes from this adorable cookbook. A unique way to Ginny for arranging a duplicate to be despatched to me.

Notes approximately the recipe:

The recipe known as for lentils but did now not specify what kind to apply. Based at the commands, I decided that inexperienced lentils could paintings great due to the fact they are brief to prepare dinner and I thought that the feel would paintings well with the electricity bites and so that they did. For the chocolate, I used a satisfactory dark chocolate from a bar that I cut into portions as I didn't have any chocolate chips handy. I used easy almond butter, however chunky almond butter might also be a first-class alternative. Depending how huge you make each bite, you may become with 30 to 32 bites approximately 1-inch in diameter, as I did, in place of the 36 indicated within the unique recipe.

The dough got here together quite properly, so the proportions have been just fine as turned into the taste, but it changed into considerably sticky and stuck to my arms and for this reason a piece messy. To make the aggregate less complicated to form into small balls, the subsequent time I make these bites I assume I will stir in extra hemp seeds, upload a few cacao powder, maybe some finely chopped dried fruit, inclusive of apricots or cherries, and possibly add a wee bit greater chocolate. I might additionally use old-fashioned oats as opposed to short-prepare dinner oats. A tablespoon or two of coconut flour could also be a attention. Overall, I cherished the recipe and no adjustments are required. My pointers regarding these delights are definitely the reflections of a cook dinner and baker that enjoys fussing round inside the kitchen and trying new creations.

Other vegan protein snack thoughts you will enjoy:

Raw Peanut Butter Chocolate Nut Squares

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Raw Pistachio Cashew Halva

Raw Nut and Seed Chocolate Chunk Mint Energy Balls

Oat and Peanut Butter Energy Nibbles

Gujarati Dal (Khatti Meethi Dal)

I've been cooking Indian creations for years. My pursuits in Indian food fortunately coincided with my transition to a vegetarian food regimen many years in the past. As the primary staple of a vegetarian Indian eating regimen are legumes, protein is rarely a difficulty. Continued research and revel in has opened up an entire new culinary international to me that become closed till I became a young grownup and started out to find out and refine my palate.

My earliest creation to Indian cooking got here from books and studies, and over the years I've discovered dishes which are famous in numerous areas in India. In addition to books, the internet has for the reason that additionally come to be a useful useful resource, and I've discovered a wonderful range of strategies and versions on issues from depended on web sites and set up Indian cooks.

I also like to discover, and every dish I make is stimulated by using what I want to taste and what I even have learned goes well together, the ingredients, flavors and textures that first-class supplement each other and paintings collectively as an adhesive complete. Spices are the key to my cooking, and that does not mean a dish must be fiery warm either. What I discover more different approximately Indian cuisine is the range of various strategies and the complex textures and tastes similarly to the incredibly simplicity and easy preparation of such a lot of dishes that I served over time.

Many of the dishes that I have been playing in particular are encouraged from the western country of Gujarat. Most Gujarati recipes have a complex flavor, with a subtle spicy and delicate stability of sweet and sour flavors. Tamarind is regularly used for the sour element, though lemon juice is an alternative, and for sweetness, jaggery is most often used though I even have located coconut sugar works pretty well too. This precise version is also onion and garlic loose.

Khatti (tangy or bitter) meethi (candy) dal is a really perfect dish for those who are partial to a myriad of complexity of flavors and textures. Made with toor dal, the liquid thing can without problems be adjusted to achieve a thicker or thinner consistency to suit your alternatives. Gujarati dal is normally as a substitute soupy, however if you need a thicker model this is really fine too and in this example, my decided preference.

Serve with basmati rice and / or your preferred Indian flat breads consisting of roti or naan for an entire and enjoyable meal. I served the dal alongside a short version of mushroom pulao with tamarind and a facet of warm and sour Indian pickles. If I had more time, I would have gladly made some flat breads to supplement my meal even in addition.

Other dal dishes to experience from Lisa's Kitchen:

Urad Dal with Toor Dal and Spinach and Parsley

Madras-Style Red Lentil Soup

Spicy Urad Dal with Tomato and Fennel Seeds

Spicy Yellow Lentil Tomato Soup

Tarka Dal With Tomato and Spices

Valentine's Day Ideas for your Sweet

Valentine's Day is not something that I trouble a lot with myself even though I do have a completely special person in my existence. I display and tell my husband every and each day how a great deal I love him and fee him, and I absolutely do not savour events that make humans feel compelled to sprint off to the store to buy things that are not clearly wished, including overpriced roses and treats, or spend an excess of money at highly-priced and crowded restaurants. My husband is very lucky to get special food and treats on a everyday foundation as part of my meals running a blog task and simply due to the fact I like to offer suitable nourishing food. And he loves to deal with me too, all year round.

But Valentine's Day is an excuse for lots human beings to prepare unique meals for his or her sweethearts, and in case you're searching out ideas you may need to attempt a number of these vegetarian recipes a good way to without a doubt illustrate your ardour on your honey. From breakfast to dinner proper thru to tempting treats and desserts, there's no shortage of possibility to make this a unique day to your most cherished one.

You will discover many greater thoughts to celebrate any event through surfing thru the recipes that I even have shared with readers which include a few nourishing and delicious aspect-dishes to go together with your food. Though this listing of recommendations became written for the ones in thoughts who enjoy Valentine's Day, I become additionally thinking about creations for any unique occasion or for no reason in particular besides for wanting to have a lovable meal along with some delights to treat your family.

So allow's begin with some rather decadent chocolates and cakes!

Valentine's Day Treats & Desserts

This Raspberry and Blackberry Dark Chocolate Truffle Tart with a Teff Crust is both beautiful and easy to make. Filled with luscious dark chocolate and a layer of berry spread, and topped with a scattering of tart fresh raspberries, this tart is a centerpiece that will enchant your sweetheart.

If there are two words that describe Valentine's Day desserts, they are "chocolate" and "cake". This Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Filling and Ganache is moist, rich and delicious and not-too-sweet eggless and dairy-free layered chocolate cake with chocolate filling and ganache — a treat for your sweetheart and you.

This Chocolate Chili Cake is just like what it sounds — chocolatey with a hint of heat from chili powder. Serve it with fresh raspberries for a plate that looks just like it belongs on the Valentine's Day table.

Not chocolate this time, but this Greek Sesame Tahini Cake with Spelt and Mixed Dried Fruits will absolutely enchant your sweetheart. Moist with a myriad of flavors from dried fruits, vanilla, lemon juice, tahini and sesame seeds, this Greek-inspired vegan cake is easy to make and is a perfect dessert on a special day.

I've spoiled my own husband on more than one occasion with this Olive Oil Almond Cake — he and I love it every time. So simple but delicious and none-too-sweet, this is one for almond lovers.

With fresh pineapple and cherries and a combination of spelt and quinoa flours, you could call this a "grown-up" version of the classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake — making it entirely appropriate for grown-up occasions like your special day with your sweetheart. It''s just as good as you remember it.

This is a all-time favorite, a rich, moist, flavorful and not-too-sweet Guinness Gingerbread Cake made with Guinness stout beer and fresh ginger.

This Blueberry Ricotta Cheesecake is a winner and a very special way to say I love you. If your sweetie likes cheesecake, you must try this recipe.

Speaking of cheesecake, it's always a favorite and so I offer up this Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Mixed Berries that will earn you lots of hugs. One of my favorites.

And while we're speaking of goat cheese, pie may not be everyone's idea of a typical Valentine's Day dessert, but I've never met a man who won't eat pie any day of the year. So if it's a special occasion like Valentine's Day, treat him to this elegant Blueberry Goat Cheese Pie that's more than just a cut above the basic blueberry pie.

This Lemon Sponge Pudding for Two is so pretty to look at and so sure to please the palate of your honey. A perfect dessert for two. Romance = elegance.

There is nothing more pleasing than a combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Your sweetheart will be craving these homemade Peanut Butter Cups for months after tasting them.

My husband calls a piece of this Tahini Freezer Fudge the "best piece of chocolate" he's ever had. So if you're like so many of us who think chocolate must be had at Valentine's Day, the love of your life will love you for this chocolate.

Of course, if you want the beautifully nutty flavor of tahini without the chocolate in your fudge, this No-Bake Tahini Fudge is smooth, creamy and delicious. Best of all, it's only got three ingredients, giving you plenty of time to give to your loved one.

If you really want to spice things up, try these unique Cayenne Peanut Butter Cookies. I know my husband thought that these were some of the best cookies he has ever eaten.

Valentine's Day Breakfast Ideas

Almost like having dessert for breakfast, this Baked German Apple Pancake (known as Apfelpfannkuchen) is a soft, sweet baked soufflé-like baked apple pancake with the inviting homey aromas of brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg — in fact, it is just as wonderful for dessert as it is for breakfast.

More apples in a rustic breakfast cake, this delicious Apple-Oatmeal Breakfast Streusel Cake has a sweet crunchy streusel topping, and the fragrance of ground cinnamon and apples will start your Valentine's Day with warm feelings.

If you're planning for a Valentine's Day of delicious and decadent foods, then a great start would be these Apricot Rum Fritters. Just as good as they sound, rum-soaked apricots are rolled in a spiced batter and fried into warm, sweet and crispy fritters that are just extraordinary and will set the stage for wonderful flavor experiences throughout the day.

Light and chewy Pumpkin Gingerbread Waffles with a dark and rich molasses and gingerbread taste, these are a wonderful treat to share between the two of you on a special day, and the aroma is simply heavenly.

One of the tastiest breakfasts I have ever enjoyed with my sweetheart, if you enjoy some spice in your life, be sure to consider trying Indian-Style Baked Eggs Florentine.

A frittata makes for a filling and attractive breakfast on a day where you want to spend a little time spoiling your sweetheart. This Jalapeño Frittata is just the thing for couples who like a little heat in their breakfast, and it's lovely too.

If you and your loved one enjoy eggs and cheese as much as I and mine do, then this Greek Feta and Olive Frittata will be sure to impress both of you. Feta and olives are a perfect couple too.

And if you want a lovely Greek egg dish to start your day but without taking as much time and trouble, this four-egg Greek Omelette with spinach, tomatoes, olives and Feta cheese is a simple, colorful and delicious breakfast for two.

I can't think of a better way to start the day than with this Eye-Opening Blueberry French Toast. Warming and filling, it can be prepared the night before and popped into the oven in the morning.

A little less traditional as far as French toast goes, but this egg-free Indian-Style Masala French Toast made with Indian spices is wonderfully fragrant and a lovely way to start a lovely day.

These Baked Strawberry Pancakes are especially easy to make and a real delight for a very special breakfast.

If you're planning to start your Valentine's Day with a leisurely breakfast cooked with love and care, this Turkish Barley and Apricot Porridge — or Anooshavoor — is a sweet, creamy and wonderfully fragrant barley and dried apricot porridge that is spiced with cardamom and cooked slowly in a risotto style.

For an extra jolt in the morning, these Jalapeño Breakfast Burritos are a must. Healthy and filling and you just know that if your sweetheart likes some heat, he will be asking for more.

Here is a good alternative for those who wish to enjoy a vegan breakfast with their mate. Give these Tempeh-Miso Breakfast Patties a try.

Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas

Sharing a meal of heavenly, rich and smoky vegan Mushroom Spaghetti Bolognese under candlelight is about as romantic a dinner as you and your loved one can enjoy.

This Vegetarian Mushroom Bourguignon is ideal for serving to your sweetheart if he shares a passion for plump mushrooms simmered in a rich, thick and delicious red wine sauce.

Everyone loves risottos, don't they? This Mushroom Risotto is a rich, earthy, creamy and perfect risotto to savor over dinner for two.

Italian may or may not be the most romantic cuisine there is — I think it is — but it is always delicious and a delight to share with your loved one. Ricotta Gnudi are tender, creamy ricotta cheese pasta dumplings that are served with a rich, vibrant and zesty homemade tomato sauce.

Among so many Italian classics, lasagna has always been a special favorite. Rich and delicious, this Brussels Sprouts Lasagna is filled with mushrooms, cheese and sliced balsamic Brussels sprouts for an elegant and unique Valentine's Day dinner.

A less well known but tantalizingly beautiful and delicious Italian dish suitable for romantic dinners is this Roasted Eggplant Involtini, a vegan version of classic Italian "little bundle" food featuring savory roasted eggplant and tomatoes rolled into slices of fried eggplant and served with tomato sauce.

Something I always order when having a romantic dinner at an Italian restaurant are arancini — I just adore those little balls of mushroom risotto and cheese fried up into extraordinary savory bites. If you're spending Valentine's Day at home, you can so easily recreate this rich and delicious experience with your sweetheart by making your own Baked Mushroom Arancini — just as delicious, creamy and cheesy.

In my house, a homemade bruschetta is so beautiful to look at and so delicious to eat that it can't help but be something to share with your most loved one. This Olive and Goat Cheese Bruschetta features toasted Italian garlic bread smothered with a colorful and delicious array of mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, soft goat cheese and fresh herbs.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Herbed Cannellini and Artichokes with Fennel and Parsley Salad is a perfect dinner for two — tender roasted golden orange butternut squash mixed with a baked casserole of creamy cannellini beans, delicate artichokes, sweet cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs, and served with a fresh crunchy and slightly tart fennel and parsley salad.

Sweet roasted squash is such a colorful and seasonally appropriate food around which to center your dinner on Valentine's Day, especially if its roasted with onions and served with a rich, creamy and tangy tahini and lemon dressing and tossed with za'atar and fried pine nuts in this Roasted Squash with Tahini and Za'atar

For a spicy and delicious romantic dinner, this Gujarati Dal is a tantalizing way to share your love.

This Spinach and Potato Curry (or Saag Aloo) is technically a side dish, but it is my most popular recipe and is so delicious that it will instantly make you popular with your own sweetheart.