Chocolates, Red Wine and Broccoli Raab

Trust me on this one nothing says I love you like chocolates and red wine and garlicky broccoli raab. Not not all together of course but when paired separately they are perfect. Chocolates and red wine are the classic and perfect match while red wine and broccoli raab creates a masterpiece of flavor.  The bitter broccoli raab paired with the peppery taste of the red wine and a dash of spicy garlic keeps anyone coming back for more.

It is too easy to make this dish and it will make your Valentine's heart, and tummy, flutter with happiness and since you will both be eating together the garlic breath will cancel itself out - trust me on that too!

So grab some simple ingredients, 2 bottles of red wine and a quality box of chocolates and enjoy the evening with the person (or people) you love the most and remember use love as the first ingredient...Happy Valentine's Day!

Red Roni, Red Roni, Red Wine Roni

***Roasted broccoli raab 
16 oz. short cut pasta
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
Salt/pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions 
(for a little color add a healthy splash of wine to the cooking water for a purple tinged pasta) 
Meanwhile in a small pan heat the olive oil and red pepper flakes
Season with salt/pepper
Cook on high for 5-8 minutes on high heat
Add wine and cook on high
Strain hot seeds and toss with pasta and broccoli raab

Top with grated Parmesan cheese 

***Roasted Broccoli Raab 

2 Large Heads Broccoli Raab 

8 Cloves of Garlic (sliced thin)

Salt/Pepper 

Olive Oil 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees 

Rinse and dry the top of the broccoli raab 

Carefully cut the broccoli raab above the twist tie and discard the bottom stems 

Separate the broccoli raab evenly among two non-stick cookie sheets

Sprinkle the garlic over the two pans of broccoli raab 

Season with salt/pepper 

Coat with olive oil and toss with your hands 

Place in oven for 15 minutes 

Remove from oven and re-season with a pinch of salt and toss 

Have A Heart...

February is a month filled with lots of action...


The Superbowl - which by the way was a great Giants victory;


Groundhog Day - which could have been skipped in New Jersey this year since winter has not even started yet;


Pet Dental Health Month - my greyhounds are going for a cleaning in two weeks; and


So many other bizarre -Library Lovers Month and National Care About Your Indoor Air Month - and not so bizarre celebrations to include Valentine's Day, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Black History Month.


With all of this celebrating it is easy to forget that February is also American Heart Month and heart disease is the Number 1 killer of women.  That's right we are not taking care of the ticker.  Stress, nutrition, smoking, as well as other factors all lead to heart disease.  Small changes can make a big impact on your heart so follow this link http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG, get some great information and take heart in knowing that there is plenty of information available to you to prevent heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure and many more unpleasant heart related aliments.


From my heart to yours celebrate February in a heart healthy way. Be kind to your heart and celebrate National Nutella Day (which is February 5), Elmo's Birthday (February 3) relive our nations history, and invite some friends over to celebrate national embroidery and termite month!


Heart Healthy Cod...

1 lb. Cod Fish
Salt/Pepper
1 Can Artichoke Hearts (drained and quartered)
4 Large Roasted Red Peppers (sliced)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil


Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line a cookie sheet with tin foil
Place cod on tin foil and season both sides with salt/pepper
Evenly top with artichokes hearts then with roasted peppers
Drizzle with oil
Bake for 15- 20 minutes or until the cod is opaque and flaky
Remove from oven, cool for a few minutes and slice into 4 equal pieces
Enjoy!