#4 of inexpensive sweet things to do for Valentine's day week!!

Hope everyone had an amazing Valentine's Day yesterday!!!! As most of you guys know from yesterday's video blog..... I surprised Skip yesterday morning when he woke up to a room full of valentine day balloons!!! It was really sweet! We spent most of the day working.... but later in the day/evening took time to just relax and be sweet to each other, something we do everyday, but it was just somehow different yesterday! I swear holidays make me mushy!! LOL! Skip got me a day of relaxation at a resort here locally called One Ocean. It's a beautiful boutique hotel right on the beach, and the relaxation day includes an ocean view Japanese massage that is suppose to leave you SUPER relaxed..... I'm drooling already!!! LOL! He says he wanted to pamper me because I spend my days pampering everyone else! He is so sweet!

So this morning I thought, why does Valentine week have to end? I can do another unexpected surprise!! So I made his favorite scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, and use the same heart shaped cookie cutter we used for sunday's blog placed the cooked egg in there to mold my eggs into a heart shape! here is what you do!

1.) Make your favorite scrambled egg recipe

2.) Place the heart shaped cookie cutter on the plate you will be eating off of.

3.) place the eggs in the cookie cutter until it fills up, than pack it down with a spatula or spoon.

4.) CAREFULLY remove the cookie cutter and repeat!

5.) Make it extra fun and include bacon!! We used Turkey bacon! Just as yummy and more healthy! ;)

Hope you guys enjoy this one tomorrow with your loved one!!

As always, Peace, Love, and Sparkles!!!! xoxoxo

www.paulinaperez.com

Day #3 of inexpensive things to do for valentine's day!!!!!!

This has got to be THE CUTEST IDEA ever!!!!! I went to Party Land ( but every party store has them) and ordered 2 dozen heart shaped balloons!!! They were 89 cents each so it was about $20 for the bundle. I woke up earlier than usual and filled the room with the balloons on Valentines Day! When my hubby woke up the room was filled with balloons!!! Super fun!!!! Check out the video of the process!!!!! Super cute!!

www.paulinaperez.com

Day #2 of inexpensive things to do for valentine's day!!!!!!

So simple yet so sweet!! I was at Target and at the DOLLAR BIN I saw heart shaped ice trays...... Perfect for Valentine's Day!!!! This one is really easy...... cut up lemon wedges, place them in the ice trays and fill them up with water! Put them in the freezer and BAM!!!! You have yummy lemony heart shaped ice for you to share with your honey! Best part is I get them in THE DOLLAR BIN!!!!!!!! If you want a yummy drink, take a shot of tequilla.... fill the rest of the glass with Fresca, with the lemon ice it makes a yummy refreshing drink!!! Not responsible for what may happen after consuming!!! LOL!!! ENJOY!!!!! ;)

www.Paulinaperez.com

Fun in-expensive way to celebrate valentine's day #1

I LOVE Valentine's Week!!!! It's not really about the expensive gift for me.... but more about the little things we do for each other that makes this week so fun!!! They say I way to a man's heart is through his belly... so... tonight I wanted to make dinner with a fresh raw honey I got last week! (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!) It's not processed, actually straight from the hive! I can make out a floral taste when I eat this honey!! it's amazing! It inspired me for the 1st Day of Valentine week to COOK WITH HONEY FOR MY HONEY! I made a tasty honey and lime Fish that was pretty easy to make, and served it with one of his favorites.... black beans and rice! Then for dessert (while I was still inspired by the honey) I made individual heart shaped baked brie and raspberry with the raw honey drizzled over it! You start to get created with a heart shaped cookie cutter! LOL! It was a yummy success!!!! I am excited to share the recipes with you guys!!!! If your looking for raw honey or want to try the one I bought.... It's called Neptune (for Neptune beach) and their number is 904-246-8628! You will never buy honey from the grocery store ever again! <3

Honey~Lime Fish recipe:

Honey Lime Tilapia
Adapted from How Sweet Eats
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

For the fish and marinade:
4 (4-5oz) tilapia fillets (thawed if frozen)
Juice and zest of 1 lime
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder

For dredging and cooking:
1/2c flour (I tried both white flour and whole wheat pastry flour with good results)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1-2 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:
Assemble marinade by combining lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a gallon-sized zip-top bag or shallow container with a lid. Add fish and marinate in the refrigerator anywhere from 1 hour up to 24 hours*.

When ready to cook, combine flour with salt and pepper on a plate. Remove each fish fillet from the marinade and dredge lightly with the flour on both sides (just a light, light coating).

Heat 1-2 Tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook fillets 2 at a time for 3-4 minutes per side or until opaque and browned (this works best if you don’t disturb the fish much while letting it cook).

Serve with lime wedges or peach salsa.

Serves 4.

*If you want to plan this meal in advance, you can prepare the fish and marinade in a large freezer bag and keep it in the freezer. Move frozen fish and marinade to the refrigerator the morning you plan to serve the fish and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator. It will marinate while it thaws!

BAKED BRIE RECIPE:

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed but still cold

1/2 wedge of brie, cold

1/3 cup raspberry jam (or any flavor you fancy!)

1 large egg, beaten

splash of milk

All-butter, store bought puff pastry usually comes frozen and folded into thirds. We’re going to use these folded thirds to our advantage. Cut the puff pastry into thirds along the creases. Cut each panel into four pieces. They’ll be 2 1/4-inch tall and 3-inches wide. One sheet of puff pastry will yield 12 rectangles. Cut each rectangle in half. You’ll have 24 little rectangles that will create 12 little rectangle pockets.

Combine beaten egg and splash of milk. Brush 12 of the small rectangles with egg wash. If you’d like to make brie bites on sticks, now is the time! Place a popsicle stick halfway up the puff pastry and press in gently. Place a small sliver of brie (rind and all) on top of the egg wash (and stick). Top with about 1/2 teaspoon of raspberry jam. Take another square of puff pastry and press between your fingers to make the rectangle slightly bigger. Place puff pastry on top of the cheese and jam. Use a fork to press the edges together. The egg wash will act as a glue. Make sure to seal the edges well by crimping with the fork.

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place prepared brie bites on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with a touch of coarsely ground sea salt. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Brie bites are best served warm, but are also delicious at room temperature.

Hope you guys share these yummies with someone you love!!! xoxoxo

www.paulinaperez.com

Chicken Soft Tacos

Just had one of the BEST taco dinners of my life! Another successful night of cooking through pinterest! Had to share!!!!!
New Mexican Style Soft Tacos
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds chicken
Salt
3 tablespoons ancho chile powder
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (4 small spoonfuls)
1 ancho chile, coarsely chopped
2 New Mexican chilies, coarsely chopped
4 cups chicken stock
6 sprigs cilantro, plus more chopped, for garnish
12 flour tortillas, warmed
Salsa Verde
Heat oil in a large, deep pan over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and ancho chile powder. Sear, skin-side down, in the oil until golden brown. Turn over and brown on the other side. Remove the chicken to a plate.
Add the onion to the pan and cook until lightly golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Add the chicken back to the pot, add the chiles, stock, and cilantro, and bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low until the chicken easily falls away from the bone, about 40 minutes or more. Remove the chicken from the pot and strain the cooking liquid into a bowl.
When the chicken is cool enough to handle, cut or shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Place the reserved cooking liquid into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the shredded chicken, turn off the heat and let warm, covered.
Divide the warm chicken among the warm tortillas, top with Salsa Verde and chopped cilantro.
OPTIONAL:

Salsa Verde:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion, coarsely chopped
1 jalapeno, coarsely diced
8 tomatillos, husked and coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and jalapeno and cook until soft. Add the tomatillos and cook until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender, add the lime juice, honey, and cilantro, and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. ENJOY!!!
~ www.paulinaperez.com