Red is a Valentine meal

It was almost Valentine's Day, and Charlie Brown was sure this would be the year someone would give him a valentine. He was waiting patiently by his mailbox for the valentines to arrive when Lucy approached.
"What are you doing Charlie Brown?" she asked.
"I'm waiting for valentines!" Charlie declared.
"Oh, well, good luck," Lucy offered sarcastically.  
"Thank you," Charlie Brown said as Lucy started to walk away.  
Lucy looked back over her shoulder and said, "You'll need it!"
Charlie Brown grimaced. "You didn't have to say that," he yelled back.
Charlie Brown opened the mailbox and peered inside, hoping top find countless valentines, maybe even one. Reaching into the mailbox and feeling around, Charlie Brown finally accepted that it was empty.
Be My Valentine  by Charles Schultz
Just in case you need something to do while waiting for countless valentines to arrive in your mailbox here are some red main meal recipes for your consideration.

Raspberry Glazed Chicken

recipe adapted from Smuckers.com

Cook's note: This is a healthy dish and calories can be reduced by using sugar-free raspberry preserves

Ingredients:

• 2 TB. olive oil divided
• 1 LB.boneless skinless chicken breasts cut lengthwise into strips or 4 boneless chicken beast halves
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
• 1/2 tsp. garlic (from a jar)
• 3/4 cup chicken broth (low sodium and fat free) 
• 2 TB. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. fresh Rosemary or 1/2 tsp. dried Rosemary
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/3 cup Red Raspberry Preserves
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 tsp. cornstarch 

Directions:

• In a large fry pan heat 1 TB olive oil and sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper
• Cook chicken in skillet 14-18 minutes until browned and internal temperature reaches 165
• Remove chicken to platter to keep warm
• Heat remaining tablespoon, add garlic cook 15 seconds, stirring constantly.
• Measure out chicken broth and whisk in cornstarch
• Add to skillet and add in vinegar and spices
• Simmer 3 minutes till slightly thickened and stir in preserves

To serve spoon sauce over chicken and sprinkle with raspberries 

  Wild Salmon Fillets with Strawberry and Tomato Salsa

recipe adapted from Annie-eats.com

Cook's note: This is a heart healthy recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• juice of half a lemon
• salt-pepper
• 1/2 TB. butter

Salsa

• 1 pint strawberries, hulled and diced
• 1 cup chopped grape tomatoes
• 4 scallions diced or red onion
• 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil 
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 TB. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. lemon juice 
• 1/4 tsp. olive oil
• drizzle of honey

optional 1/2 cup corn (drained) or diced cucumbers

cilantro or chili pepper flakes

Directions:

• Line a baking sheet with foil folding edges up to contain any spills
• Place fillets on sheet and squeeze lemon juice over and add butter 
• Cook 15-20 minutes @ 375 and let salmon rest after removal from oven

Salsa

• While salmon is cooking prepare salsa 
• Stir and cover salsa refrigerate at least 30 minutes   

Beef Fillets with Strawberry Sauce

recipe adapted from recipe4living.com

Ingredients:

• 4 beef fillets
• 1 tsp. superfine sugar 
• 1 cup diced strawberries plus extra for garnish
• 2 tsp. peppercorns
• juice from one small lemon
• 1-1/3 cup beef broth (low sodium-fat free)
• 2 TB. butter
• 1 TB. olive oil 
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 2 TB. good quality red wine such as Pinot Noir or Burgundy

Directions:

• Grill meat add salt/pepper
• While meat is grilling prepare sauce
• In a skillet toast peppercorns and add beef broth and butter
• Boil till liquid is reduced by half
• Mix cornstarch with wine, lemon juice, sugar and cut up strawberries
• Add to beef stock mixture and cook on low till thickened
• Add in strawberries and spoon over cooked fillets