Happy Valentine’s Day! Today I’ve rounded up everything you need to celebrate the official day of love at home with a festive and nutritious twist.
Valentine’s Day charcuterie board
First, let’s kick things off by building the ultimate healthier Valentine’s Day Charcuterie board. Start with an array of crunchy veggies like radishes and rainbow carrots and nutritious red and pink fruits like apples and raspberries. Then add whole grains like crackers and …chocolate! The Endangered Species Valentine’s Day Bars come in 3 delicious flavors: 55% dark chocolate and oatmilk and 72% dark chocolate in tart raspberries and vibrant cherries. At Endangered Species, chocolate is their love language. not only do they make great tasting chocolate but they pair it with good cause by donating 10% of Annual Net Profits back to Wildlife Conservation. Find the Endangered Species Valentines day bars NOW for a limited time at your local Publix and online at ChocolateBar.com.
For dipping, whip up the ultimate pink hummus made with a secret ingredient… beets! Beets are a nutritional powerhouse and contain beneficial plant compounds that studies suggest may support heart health, blood pressure, circulation and endurance. Love Beets are cooked, peeled, and ready to eat for ultimate convenience, in a variety of cuts and sizes. Enjoy them hot or cold in a variety of dishes including sandwiches, salads and and desserts. Find them at locally at Whole Foods Market and Publix. For this recipe, simply blend up the following ingredients in a food processor: 1 package of Love Beets Organic Cooked Beets, 1 can of chickpeas, the juice of one lemon, 2 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp tahini, ¼ cup of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
The final essential addition to a valentine’s charcuterie board is cheese of course! Gayo Azul Gouda is a versatile mild and creamy cheese, excellent in wedge format on a cheeseboard. A very approachable cheese for cheese lovers and anyone new to buying specialty cheese. You can find the range of Gayo Azul Dutch cheeses including Edam, Swiss, Queso Blanco, and Cotija at your local grocery store – just look for the Famous Blue Rooster logo!
Valentine’s Day Winter Salad
Next, make sure you have a delicious winter salad to accompany your Valentines day spread at home. In a large bowl, toss together 1 bag of mixed greens, package of love beets perfectly pickled sliced beets, 1 sliced fuji apple, , 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, 1/4 cup roasted pecan halves, 1/4 cup cotija cheese and toss with Walden Farms Balsamic Vinaigrette. Dressings can easily make or break a healthy salad since they are often high in added sugar and fat. Walden Farms offers over 20 delicious calorie-free, salad dressings free from artificial flavors and made with culinary-inspired blends of herbs and spices and the finest vinegars. They are a great way to add flavor to your favorite salad without calories, carbs or fat. You can find Walden farms salad dressings your local retailer or purchase online at Waldenfarms.com.
5-ingredient caramel apple bark
Finally it’s not valentines day without dessert – I’ve saved the best for last with five ingredient caramel apple bark perfect for sweet and salty lovers. Made with the one of the top fifteen most popular apple varieties in the US: Fuji Apples by Yes! Apples which are super sweet, juicy and crisp. Simply melt 3 Endangered Species oat milk dark chocolate bars, spread in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and top with pretzels. Warm ¼ cup of cashew butter and ½ cup of maple syrup in a small saucepan on the stovetop and stir in 3 diced Yes! Apples fuji apples. Pour mixture over pretzels, transfer to the freezer and freeze until set, about 1 hour. Yes! Apples is a woman-owned, sustainably driven business that works with family farms all over the state to grow the best tasting, highest quality apples. Everything they do at Yes! apples from the growers they partner with to the land they cultivate–is driven by their commitment to grow the highest-quality product for families and the community.`
