Romantic Meals

As many of you are already aware, Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. Romantic meals are always appreciated... be it home cooked or dined out. Incorporating red and pink into a delectable meal can be a fun challenge to make the meal even more memorable. A light, yet flavorful appetizer that may be served for Valentine's day includes picked watermelon, lemon-marinated crab, seared scallops, avocado/mango/red bell pepper salsa, reduced balsamic vinaigrette, caviar/salmon roe and edible flowers. In order to pickle the watermelon, bring one cup of water to a boil. Add 2 Tbsp sugar and 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar. Remove from the heat when it reaches a boil and placed cubed watermelon (about 2 inch by 2 inch cube cut watermelon. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes. In the meantime, finely dice avocado, red bell pepper and mango... season with almond oil (or olive oil), lemon juice, sea salt, pinch of cayenne pepper and freshly chopped cilantro. Toss the already cooked crab with lemon juice, sea salt and chopped cilantro. May optionally warm in saute pan with butter. Sear scallops in butter (only season with sea salt and light dusting of cayenne pepper). In terms of plating, drizzle reduced balsamic vinaigrette on white plate, then place watermelon atop sauce. Spoon salsa around watermelon, then place seared scallop atop watermelon, with crab atop the scallop. Top with fresh caviar/salmon roe and edible flower to make the dish even more romantic. Take the time to how your love by going the extra mile in terms of presentation... it will be well worth it! 

Love y'all!! ♥