All over the world, Valentine’s Day is a festive time for cards, flowers, and romantic dinners to celebrate the people who are closest to our hearts.
This year, how about you try something unique to celebrate this special day without breaking the bank! Simplest acts are the most meaningful and personal, and here are some suggestions with a twist to show your loved ones how much you truly care.
Read a special poem. Give them a gift that’s more memorable such as a poem that expresses how you feel about them. Write it in a beautiful piece of paper, find your special place, then read it to them!
Give love by giving back. Be altruistic and go on a date by volunteering in an advocacy that both of you feel strongly about. By giving back, you form special memories with your loved one that you can look back on fondly.
Go on a romantic stroll with your special someone. Make it unique by taking them to a meaningful place for the both of you, such as where you first met; or a museum because you think your love is a work of art.
A well-thought out gift. Express your love through gift ideas uniquely tailored for them such as a cookbook for the aspiring kitchen wizard, or a gym membership for the health buff.
Romantic dinner at home. Put a smile in your valentine’s face with a simple yet mouth-watering home-cooked meal in the comfort of your own home.
But before you begin preparing your culinary masterpiece, make sure that you have all the right ingredients starting with the right cooking oil for a truly heart healthy meal!
Whether you’re sautéing, baking, or frying, remember that it’s best to use oil that contains phytosterols like Golden Fiesta Premium Oils. They’re rich in phytosterols which help reduce cholesterol levels by as much as 15%. The word “phytosterol” may be unfamiliar but you’ve probably been eating food with them your whole life. A diet rich in phytosterols is a great way to reduce your risk of heart disease. (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-are-phytosterols/).
Here are some delicious heart healthy recipe ideas for your Valentine’s Day dinner. They’re very easy to prepare, you can even cook them with your loved ones for more bonding moments!
1. Bangus in Pinoy Chimichurri Sauce
- 2 pc (400 g) boneless bangus belly
- 1 tsp calamansi juice
- 1 pack (8 g) Wow Sarap All-in-One Seasoning Granules
- 1/3 cup Golden Fiesta Canola Oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tsp chopped ginger strips
- 1/2 tsp Jufran Hot Sauce
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1/4 cup sliced leeks (green and white parts)
- ¼ cup malunggay leaves
- 1 Tbsp Datu Puti Vinegar
PROCEDURE
1 Season bangus with calamansi and Wow Sarap Seasoning. Heat Golden Fiesta Canola Oil. Fry bangus until light brown. Set aside.
2 Combine garlic, ginger and Jufran Hot Sauce in a bowl. Mix well.
3 Add leeks, malunggay, and Datu Puti Vinegar . Mix well. Let stand for 1 hour in the refrigerator. Pour over bangus.
2. Level Up Calamares
- ½ kg squid, cleaned and remove ink sac, cut into rings
- 1 Tbsp Silver Swan Cane Vinegar
- 1 egg white
- ½ pack (4 g) Wow Sarap All-in-One Seasoning Granules
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp Golden Fiesta Big Crunch Breading Mix
- 1 cup Golden Fiesta Corn Oil
- 1/2 cup chopped leeks
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- ½ cup Jufran Sweet Chili Sauce
- UFC Ground Pepper and UFC Iodized Salt (to taste)
PROCEDURE
1 Mix squid with Silver Swan Vinegar and egg white. Season with Wow Sarap Seasoning. Set aside.
2 Mix cornstarch with UFC Breading Mix. Roll squid in mixture then deep- fry in Golden Fiesta Corn Oil until golden brown. Set aside.
3 In a pan, heat 3 tbsp of used Golden Fiesta Corn Oil. Sauté garlic, ginger and leeks.
4 Add UFC Sweet Chili Sauce. Season with UFC Salt and UFC Pepper to taste, Cover and simmer for 2 minutes. Toss with fried squid.
3. Tofu Chicken Sauté
- 400 g chicken breast meat (fillet), cut into small cubes
- 1 Tbsp Datu Puti Soy Sauce
- ¼ tsp UFC Ground Pepper
- 1 cup Golden Fiesta Soya Oil
- ¼ tsp UFC Iodized Salt
- 350 g (4pc) tokwa, cut into small cubes
- 3 Tbsp Golden Fiesta Big Crunch Breading Mix
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
- 1 large (75 g) onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 stalk celery, sliced
- 1 can (400 g) UFC Young Corn Cuts, drained
SAUCE
- 3-4 Tbsp Datu Puti Oyster Sauce
- ¼ cup Jufran Sweet Chili Sauce
- ¼ cup water
PROCEDURE
1 Season chicken with Datu Puti Soy Sauce and UFC Ground Pepper. Set aside.
2 Heat Golden Fiesta Soya Oil in pan. Season tofu with UFC Salt and sprinkle with 1 tbsp of Golden Fiesta Big Crunch Breading Mix. Fry until golden brown. Set aside.
3 Sprinkle chicken with remaining Golden Fiesta Big Crunch Breading Mix. Fry in the same pan until golden brown. Set aside.
4 Retain only 2 tbsp of oil in pan. Sauté garlic and onion. Add remaining vegetables. Sauté for 2 minutes.
5 Add sauce ingredients. Let simmer for 2 minutes. Add chicken and tofu. Stir and serve.
