Recipe of the Week

Trying to be true to what I wrote about yesterday, I have been racking my brain and searching the internet for awesome Valentine's Day ideas that are cheap for my husband and I to do on Saturday. My mom was so wonderful as to offer to watch our 18 month old daughter, so we'll have the evening to ourselves. I think I'm going to make homemade chocolates like the ones described here (maybe!) and make a nice, fancy homemade dinner and dessert. The dinner and dessert are from Food Network. I think I'll try to work some raspberries into the dessert if I can. Maybe chocolate raspberry cheesecake or something, my husband LOVES raspberries!

Shrimp Scampi Linguini by Tyler Florence

1 pound linguini
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 shallots, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves

For the pasta, put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it has come to the boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguini. Stir to make sure the pasta separates; cover. When the water returns to a boil, cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add them to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan; set aside and keep warm. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil and serve immediately.

Bummer. I haven't been able to find any good chocolate raspberry dessert recipes yet. Might just have to wing it! :)

For more frugal Valentine's Day ideas, you can check out the links over at Money Saving Mom here or at the Frugal Friday post at Biblical Womanhood here.