Here’s the third idea :idea: for a special Valentine’s Day meal that you can prepare at home for that special someone. Get your creative juices going & cook your own Valentine dinner. This combo uses fruits as salad, beef tenderloin for main dish, chocolate chip tart for dessert, & a special Valentine juice.

Pink Frozen Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

* 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 quart strawberry ice cream, softened
* 1/2 cup miracle whip
* 2 cans (17 oz size) fruit cocktail, drained
* 1/3 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

Combine cream cheese, ice cream & salad dressing, mixing until well blended. Fold in fruit & nuts. Pour into 9-inch square  pan.

Freeze until firm. Chill until serving.

Valentine`s Day Beef Tenderloin with Green Peppercorn-Brandy Sauce for Two

Ingredients:

* 2 (8 oz. ea) beef tenderloins
* salt & pepper
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 3 tablespoons chopped shallots
* 1 Tbl. green peppercorns
* 1 cup beef broth
* 1 tablespoon wholegrain Dijon mustard
* 2 tablespoons heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons brandy
* 2 tablespoons chopped chives for garnish

Directions:

Salt & pepper beef on both sides. Heat butter in medium skillet on medium heat. Add beef; cook 5 min; turn, cook another 5 min. Remove to platter; tent with foil to keep warm. In same skillet, add shallots & peppercorns. Cook 2 min. or until soft. Add broth, mustard, cream & brandy. Cook 5 min. or until reduced to 1/2. Place beef on serving plates. There is more. Top with sauce, garnish with chopped chives.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Tarts for Two

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup frozen whipped topping — thawed
* 2 large bakery-style chocolate chip cookies
* 2 kiwi fruit — peeled & sliced
* 2 strawberries — sliced
* 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
* 1/2 teaspoon vegetable shortening

Directions:

Spread 1/4 cup whipped topping over each cookie. Arrange kiwi fruit slices around the outer edge of cookies over whipped topping, then place strawberry slices in the centers.

In a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips & shortening over low heat, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over tarts & serve immediately.

Cherries Valentine

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 cup cherries — pitted
* 2 medium peaches — halved & pitted
* 2 medium oranges — juiced
* OR
* 1/2 cup orange juice
* 4 orange wedges
* 4 cherries with stems

Directions:

Place cherries & peaches in a blender with orange juice. Blend at medium speed until creamy. Pour mixture into custard glasses.

Top each glass with an orange wedge & a whole cherry. Serve immediately. Otherwise, store in the fridge with each custard glass tightly covered. Will keep for 3 to 5 days.

If you like these ideas, look out for the next meal combo for your special Valentine dinner. Also look out for earlier combo recipes with seafood & chicken as main dishes.

Valentine’s day

Noraini Maskuri has professional training in bakery, enjoys cooking & experimenting with recipes. She own a cookery site, to receive free Valentine Recipe eCookbook , please visit : http://www.mycookery.com/blog/