Valentine’sMenu

brought to you by THRiVE! Magazine

Article by Sandra Arcadipane

It seems every holiday on the calendarhas been exploited by marketers and retailers forthe sake of making a profit. There are cards andgifts for every occasion from Christmas down toColumbus Day! I started to get critical of this but

then began to wonder if a celebration of love was real-ly so bad, even if businesses use it to sell you things you

don’t necessarily need. To tell you the truth, I love anyoccasion where I get to have a celebration and give a giftto my fabulous husband. You can turn this holiday into a true celebration of love for your significant other.

THRiVE! is here to help the many Western New Yorkersthat are plagued with the often times difficult task offinding something fun, romantic and unique to do on Valentine’s Day, and yet something that doesn’trequire large chunks of cash. Our menu below willgive you some great ideas of how to craft a day or

evening that your loved one will never forget. Justmix and match ideas for the beginning of your date,

which we will call “Starters”, the middle of your dateor “The Main Course” and the end of your date or

“Dessert”. Let the memory making begin.

STARTERS1. Make your own pottery at a local pottery studio such as

Lov’N Clay in the Village of Williamsville or at VillageClay Your Way in the Village of Orchard Park

2. Write down 10 to 20 questions to ask each other that you’vealways wanted to know. For example, favorite superherogrowing up or what their greatest memory as a child is.

3. Send your significant other on a treasure hunt. Start off bygiving your significant other a clue that will take them ona short trip to see a friend, that friend will have a little giftwith the next clue attached to it which will take them toanother person who will give them another gift and a clue…all leading up to where you are at for dinner with the biggift. You can make it whatever you want but it certainlywill be really fun and exciting.

4. You or your significant other can gather some of your favoritephotographs together and pay a visit to your local craft storeand pick out a scrap book and some scrap booking stickersor stamps. Take it home and put the scrapbook together.

5. For the sports lovers check out the Niagara Climbing Centerfor some great indoor climbing fun in North Tonawanda.

6. Take a dance lesson together. Arthur Murray dance studios inAmherst offers private and group lessons. This is a really funway to spend some time with your significant other that isprobably very different from what you normally do butromantic. It is sure to be something that you never forget.

MAIN COURSE1. Make a romantic, candlelit dinner

together at home. Decorate the table withrose petals, floating candles and chocolatesand use your fine china. If you have a fireplace,lay a blanket next to that with a warm firegoing. Make your significant other’s favoritedish or try something new and fancy.

2. Have an exquisite and romantic meal atMother’s Restaurant in Buffalo or at AsaRansom House in Clarence.

3. Forget fun in the sun and have some fun in thesnow. Go sledding at Chestnut Ridge Park. Bringa thermos of hot chocolate, a camera, and bundleup. This may even be the type of date to turn into adouble date because they’re opening their TobogganRuns again. This will be a night you’ll never forget.

4. Purchase a Valentine’s Day Package from Salvatore’sGarden Place Hotel. One Night Getaway. For $139you can get One night accommodations in an elegantlyappointed King Guest Room, Breakfast In The Garden,and Dinner for Two from Salvatore’s Italian GardensSpecial Dinner for Two Menu

5. If you’re on a budget, a great restaurant to go to for anextraordinary meal is Pano’s on Elmwood. At Pano’s youcan get Lobster Tail and Filet Mignon for $19.99!

6. Take a drive down to Ellicottville and enjoy skiing on Holiday Valley’s 56 slopes. You can spend your afternoon skiing and indulge in a slope side dinner at Founder’s Restaurant.

DESSERT1. The Chocolate Bar in Buffalo has world class desserts

to tantalize your taste buds. They also sell novelty itemssuch as chocolate lip balm, soap and baby powder thatcould make great gifts for your significant other.

2. Spot Coffee is a great way to end your evening. Have a hot cup of coffee or cappuccino with one of theirhomemade desserts and spend some time just relaxingwith your significant other while you share your goalsand dreams for the next year.

3. Rent a movie! Whether or not you are on a budget, rentinga movie is always a fun, romantic, and relaxing way tospend your evening. Grab a couple movies, some popcorn,Champaign, and a dessert from Butterwood Desserts onMain St. in the Village of Williamsville. Curl up on thecouch with a warm blanket and you’re all set.

4. For you married couples out there give each other a massage.5. Read a romantic short story or poems together. You can

buy a book from your local bookstore like Benders ChristianSupply, or just take out a book from the library.

6. Play a board game together over dessert. Board games arealways great because they lead to good conversation and keepyou involved with each other. They’re a lot of fun and free!

Picking out a gift for Valentine’s Day could be just as difficultor more than figuring out the date! Here are some great giftideas for all budgets big and small.

FREE1. Give your significant other a coupon book full of things you

will do for them like, giving a massage, doing the laundry,giving them a day out while you take care of the kids. Findsomething they love and put it in.

2. Write your significant other a poem or love letter.3. Clean the house.4. Bake them cookies or a fun dessert.5. Write a love story about the two of you.

GIFTS UNDER $50.001. MP3 Player2. Digital Photo Frame

3. Cologne/Perfume4. Study/Message Bible5. Gift Certificate for a Manicure or Pedicure

GIFTS UNDER$100.001. New Dress2. DiamondEarrings3. IPhone

DockingStation

4. Chipping andDriving Matfor golf

5. Leather Journal

GIFTSUNDER $250.001. Watch2. GPS navigation system3. Iphone4. Wii5. Diamond necklace and earrings

Braciuola1-1/2 pound lean top round beef cut into thin

pieces and pounded1 clove garlic cut in half1/3 cup fresh grated romano cheeseProsciutto1/3 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon pepper1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley2 tablespoons olive oil1 pound can tomatoes2 tablespoons tomato paste

Rub each piece of beef with the garlic halves.Mix salt and pepper into the cheese andspread cheese onto each piece of beef. Thenspread parsley and prosciutto over the cheese.Roll up beef starting at the small end andsecure with a toothpick or tie with string.Sauté in olive oil. Meanwhile simmer tomatoesin tomato paste for a few minutes adding 1/2 cup of water or more if desired toimprove consistency of sauce. Transfer beefrolls to a casserole dish and pour sauce overtop. Bake at 350 degree oven for 1 to 2hours, until tender when poked with a fork.Let cool 5 minutes then slice. Serve withpasta and pour sauce over both.

Asparagus Tips With Prosciutto24 Asparagus Tips8 long thin slices of prosciutto1/2 cup melted butter3 tablespoons of grated romano cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Boil asparagusabout 10 minutes or until tender and drainwell. Wrap 3 asparagus tips in each slice ofprosciutto and fasten with toothpick. Placeon a greased baking dish and sprinkle withbutter and cheese. Bake 5 minutes and pourremaining butter on top.

French Fried OnionsAllow one onion per serving. Cut onion into 1/4 inch slices. Completely cover in amixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 milk and letstand 30 minutes. Drain onions and dry.Dredge onions through flour seasoned withsalt and pepper. Fry in oil.

Shrimp Newburg6 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons flour1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup light cream1 cup milk4 slightly beaten egg yolks1 lb shelled cooked shrimp1/4 cup dry sherry2 teaspoons lemon juicePastry shells or toast cupsPaprika

In a skillet melt the butter. Blend in flour andsalt. Stir in cream and milk. Cook, stirringconstantly until the sauce thickens and bubbles.Reduce heat. Stir small amount of sauce intoegg yolks and then combine with sauce inskillet and cook until blended, stirring constantly for about 1 minute. Add shrimp,sherry, and lemon juice and continue to cook until all heated through. Serve in pastryshells or toast cups and sprinkle with paprika.To make toast cups, simply take 4 slice of whitebread and trim the crust off. Press intoungreased muffin tin and brush with meltedbutter. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 min.

Now enjoy your

Valentine’s Day and don’t sweat the planning.

Have fun creating your

date!

The Perfect Appetizers, Created by You. RECIPES BY MARY CIPOLLA