Don't forget Valentine's Day...

It's not to early to start planing your Valentine's Special day.

Chef Robert's Valentine's Day Gift Ideas Valentine's Day is just around the corner, does your special someone love to cook? Here are just a few ideas.

Lets Start with one of my Favorites...The Classic Bloody Mary, lets put it together.

The Bloody Mary of Love!

• 3-4 oz vegetable juice or tomato juice
• 2 tablespoons tamari (wheat-free naturally brewed soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce like Tabasco
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• 2 tablespoons tamari (naturally brewed soy sauce)
• 1-2 ounce River Baron Vodka Americans premium vodka, to taste http://www.mrdistilling.com/frame/recipes_vodka.shtml
• Olives and Caper berries, for garnish
• Long celery stalks, with leaves, for garnish
• Ice cubes

Drop some ice cubes in a shaker and combine juice, tamari, hot pepper sauce, celery salt and vodka. Shake well. Strain into tall glasses filled with ice cubes. Garnish each glass with caper berries and celery stalks. Enjoy!

OK next up...

Shrimp Scampi and Tomatoes

What's in it?

1 large tomatoe; (4 slices)
2 oz Feta cheese
4-5 sprigs of basil; fresh
4 T. virgin olive oil
Dash cracked pepper
1 lb large fresh shrimp, raw, deveined
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 fresh lime

Let's Put it Together!

Wash and slice tomatoes crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices, 4-5 slices. Arrange the slices on a salad plate. Sprinkle the Feta on top each tomato. Cut fresh basil leaves into strips and top each tomato with basil. Drizzle olive oil over the tops and add a dash of pepper.

Shrimp preparation:

Combine the juice of the lime, oil, garlic, and pepper in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss lightly to coat. Heat the grill or a hot sauté pan until hot. Place the shrimp on the grill or in a pan and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes. Turn the shrimp. Place the shrimp on top of the tomato, basil, and feta cheese. Enjoy!

What about the Main course?

Chef Robert's Salmon Skewers of Love

Salmon is truly a fish for all seasons. It can be prepared in so many tasty ways, and this is one of my favorites. Baked or grilled, the light marinade makes this dish unforgettable. It's easy and quick to prepare, but your friends will think you cooked all day.

What's in it?

2 medium-size fresh salmon filets
2 Tbsp fresh garlic
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp fresh basil
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 red pepper
2 green peppers
1 red onion
1 large Portobello mushroom
4 bamboo skewers

Let's Put it Togather
Skin salmon and cut it into 1-inch pieces. Mix garlic, oil, basil and lemon juice in a bowl. Combine with salmon and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Place skewers in cold water for 10 minutes before building the skewers. (This will keep them from burning.)
Alternate peppers, onions, mushrooms, and salmon on skewers.

Place on a hot grill for 8 to 10 minutes, turning often, or place on a baking sheet in a 375-degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

Nutrition at a Glance (per serving)

Calories 226
Total fat 26.5g
Carbohydrate 9.31g
Protein 40