Table of contents for February 2024 in Meal-Solve

Dear Readers, Welcome to the February edition of Meal-Solve! With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this month is all about celebrating love and indulging in delicious treats. As we enter the second month of the year, many of us are still working on our New Year's resolutions. Whether you vowed to eat healthier or try new recipes, we have plenty of content to help you stay on track. However, February is also a time to indulge! Treat yourself and your loved ones to decadent desserts and romantic dinners. Our featured recipes this month include: Citrus Rice with roasted cumin seeds; Seafood Boil with Cajun lemon butter sauce; and Chocolate covered strawberries...Yum! Beyond food, we are also highlighting ways to show love to yourself and others. From self-care tips to…

However... the holiday's origins aren't very romantic. Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome during the third century, is the inspiration behind Valentine's Day. St. Valentine lived at a time when many Romans were becoming Christians. Pagan Emperor Claudius II imposed stringent regulations on what Christians could and could not do. Claudius forbade Roman soldiers from marrying because he thought they should be entirely loyal to Rome. St. Valentine started getting married to these soldiers in covert Christian weddings, which is how he got his reputation for emphasising the value of love. Valentine is believed to have been ultimately apprehended and imprisoned for his crimes against Claudius. St. Valentine assisted his fellow inmates and the blind daughter of his jailer while he was incarcerated. According to legend, Valentine…

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES Prep Time:05 Minutes Cook Time:10 Minutes Servings:4 Notes Chocolate-covered strawberries are best when served the day they are made. Store at room temperature until ready to serve. Ingredients 1 Punnet Strawberries (about 1kg) 1 cup semisweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips, divided 1 cup white chocolate chips, divided Sprinkles, chopped pistachios, toasted coconut, and freeze-dried strawberries, for topping Instructions Rinse the strawberries and pat them dry thoroughly Line a baking sheet with parchment paper ▪ Set aside. Place 3/4 cup of semisweet chocolate and 3/4 cup of white chocolate in two separate small microwave-safe bowls ▪ Microwave each bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until the chocolate is mostly melted, 90 seconds total ▪ Add the remaining 1/4 cup semisweet and 1/4 cup white…

All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup = 125 grams = 250 ml1/2 cup = 63 grams = 125 ml1/3 cup = 42 grams = 83 ml1/4 cup = 31 grams = 62 ml1 tablespoon = 8 grams = 15 ml Granulated Sugar: 1 cup = 200 grams = 250 ml1/2 cup = 100 grams = 125 ml1/3 cup = 67 grams = 83 ml1/4 cup = 50 grams = 62 ml1 tablespoon = 12.5 grams = 15 ml Brown Sugar: 1 cup = 220 grams = 250 ml1/2 cup = 110 grams = 125 ml1/3 cup = 73 grams = 83 ml1/4 cup = 55 grams = 62 ml1 tablespoon = 13.75 grams = 15 ml Butter: 1 cup = 227 grams = 250 ml 1/2 cup = 113 grams =…

THREE CHEESE CORN BAKE Preparing 10 Minutes Cooking 25 Minutes Serving 4 Ingredients 3 cloves garlic, chopped3 tbsp butter2 cans whole kernel corn1 tub cream cheese 200g1 cup cheddar cheese1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese1 tbsp coarse salt1/2 tbsp black pepper1/2 cup bread crumbs1 tbsp thyme, chopped1 tbsp rosemary, chopped Instructions • Preheat oven to 180ºC. • Meanwhile, on a stove, in a large sauce pan, sauté the garlic with the butter over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the corn, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and salt and pepper. Heat until the cheese is melted then pour into a baking dish. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs and fresh herbs. Spread bread crumb mixture evenly over…

1. Always wash your hands before and after handling food. 2. Wash fruit & vegetables under cold water before using. 3. Kids must always ask an adult to assist when handling hot content. 4. Handle all sharp objects carefully to avoid cutting yourself. 5. When using a knife, always cut away from yourself. 6. Always turn handles of pots & saucepans inward. 7. Use oven mittens whenever you are handling hot dishes. 8. Always keep food preparation surfaces clean and free of clutter. 9. Wear an apron, roll up your sleeves and tie up long hair. 10. Wipe up any food spills immediately. Keep kitchen clean and neat.…

1. Make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment needed before you start cooking or baking. 2. Use measuring cups and spoons to ensure that you add the right amount of each ingredient. 3. Preheat the oven to the temperature specified in the recipe before you start baking. 4. Stick to the recipe as closely as possible, especially when it comes to baking. Baking is a science, and even small changes can affect the outcome. 5. Use the right equipment for the job, such as a sharp knife for chopping vegetables or a whisk for beating eggs. 6. Keep your workspace clean and organized to avoid cross-contamination and make it easier to work. 7. Taste the food as you cook to adjust the seasoning and make sure it tastes…

SEAFOOD BOIL WITH CAJUN LEMON BUTTER SAUCE Preparing 10 Minutes Cooking 30 Minutes Serving 4-6 Ingredients 2kg prawns2 kg crayfish tails or crab or both (1kg each)800g mussels400g calamari2 corn on the cob cut into 6 slices4 chicken stock cubes4 cups water1kg baby potatoes (optional)1 Tbls Cajun spice1 Tbls fish spice1 Tbls paprika1 Tbls cayenne pepper1 Tsp black pepper1 to 2 tsp crushed chillies1 Tsp chillie powder1 Tsp garlic powder Instruction • In a large pot, add water, stock and spices. • Bring to a boil. Add corn and cook until soft. • If using baby potatoes, add at this point. • Cook until soft. • Add all shell fish and boil for 5 to 6 minutes. • Do not overcook as shellfish cooks quickly. • Remove pot from heat,…