Valentine's Day Dinner

Oops! Its been a while since I've posted. I have been sick of food and cooking! Over three feet of snow over the past week and a half has meant that there has been a lot of cooking going on over here. With everyone at home, breakfast, lunch and dinner all became a production. Pancakes for breakfast, soups for lunch etc etc. I was so excited to go out Friday night with Kevin for Valentine's Day solely because I didn't have to plan it, buy it, make it, or clean up after it!

To make matters worse, on top of tons of eating I haven't been able to run outside since my last post! I've actually learned to accept the treadmill a little more. There are a few treadmills in our neighborhood clubhouse gym, and we belong to a gym as well. At first it was terrible but I've learned how to zone out long enough to force some decent runs. I still can't wait to go outside though... my body is dying for the cold air in my lungs!

I also have not been posting because I mentioned that my camera died a few weeks ago. What's a food post without pictures? We eat with our eyes after all. Kevin surprised me with a new fancy shmancy camera on Valentine's Day! I'm so excited to learn how to use it... this meal was my first attempt! On actual Valentine's Day I made dinner for the people I love! Kevin, Superman, Batman, Kevin's best friend Troy and my sister Laura. This was so EASY! I liked it because it sounded very fancy but was really not the least bit difficult. Perfect for entertaining.

Pan Seared Scallops over Linguini with Tomato Cream Sauce

You will need:

1 inch piece of ginger or 1 tbl of Gourmet Garden ginger (see pictured)

1 cup dry white wine

juice from 1/2 a lime or lemon

2 shallots (or 1 medium onion and 2 garlic cloves) chopped

2 tbl cream cheese (used this instead of the whipping cream - so ignore that)

2 to 3 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces

salt and pepper

a few sprigs of cilantro (2 tablespoons)

In a saucepan bring the white wine, shallots, lime juice and ginger to a boil. Let simmer and reduce for about 5 minutes.

Whisk in the cream cheese and butter. The recipe called for whipping cream but I read some reviews that the sauce was too runny. The cream cheese was just right.

Stir in the tomatoes

and the chopped cilantro

When the sauce is ready pour it over the linguini, toss, set aside and keep warm. Heat 1 tbl olive oil in a sauce pan over medium high heat. Sprinkle the scallops with salt and pepper and sear 2-3 minutes on each side or until cooked through.

Serve scallops atop the linguini mixture

Overall it was very yummy! I would recommend lemon next time instead of lime, because the lime was a tad too tangy for me. I'd also play with the herbs and try swapping out basil for cilantro. Happy Valentine's Day!