How to Spice up Valentine's Day on Budget!

We are all on a budget these days and it's no laughing matter when it comes to Valentine's Day! Forget the restaurant and invite your Valentine to dinner at "CHEZ YOUR PLACE" instead! Open the wine and get cooking with your date!

Spice things up and make easy steak tacos! It's only Tuesday and you have plenty of time for shopping!

Tacos for Two!

One Stop Shopping Grocery List
2 Lbs. Skirt steak, chicken, any vegetables, tofu
Grape seed oil
Non Stick Spray
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Cayenne Pepper
Ripe Avocado (soft to touch)
Cilantro
I Head Green or Purple Cabbage
Fresh Salsa
Low fat Cheddar Cheese (or dairy substitute)
Low Fat Sour Cream (or dairy substitute)
6 inch Soft flour tortillas (whole grain, low carb and low fat versions are out there)
Buy a few cupcakes, chocolate or something sweet for dessert as well!
Red Wine (and a bottle of champagne!)
Flowers for her!



Valentine's Day is on a Saturday this year, so you will have plenty of time to prep!

Saturday morning, in a bowl add 3 Tablespoons chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper. Mix well.

Pat steak dry w paper towel and rub spice mixture with your hands on both sides of steak.

Place on plate, cover with foil and put in refrigerator.

Cut head of cabbage in half and cut long slices and store in bag in refrigerator.

Be sure avocado is soft to touch and ripe. If it is still hard to touch, place it in a paper bag asap until you need to slice it.

When Your Valentine Arrives!

Pour that big glass of heart red wine and get cooking!


Heat 1 Tablespoon of canola oil in pan and heat should be medium high.

Let pan heat up for a few minutes. The high heat will sear meat nicely to seal in the juices. Place steak in pan and reduce heat to medium. It will get a bit smoky so be sure the oven fan is on and crack a window or two!

Skirt steak is thin and cooks quickly! Place steak in pan for about 3 or so minutes each side.

Remove from pan and place steak on cutting board. It will continue to cook so let it sit (rest) for about 5 more minutes.

While you let the steak rest, slice avocado and get other toppings organized.

In a new pan on medium low heat, spray w non stick spray and place 2 tortillas in pan. Watch closely and turn over after about a minute. They should begin to brown slightly. You can prep 2 more tortillas at this time if you want to serve 2 per person.

When you flip tortillas on second side, sprinkle with some cheese so it melts and remove from pan.

Slice steak on a diagonal against grain. This cut makes meat more tender to eat!

Build your tacos adding steak first, sour cream, avocado, salsa and then end with the cabbage.

OLE! OLE! The rest as they say will be history!


Let me know how it goes!

XOX
Meal Maven