Food

Valentine’s Day with Kids and Recipes For Romance

February 9, 2014 - By Paula

Onc

e kids arrive, Valentine’s Day romance takes on a whole new meaning. Making plans to schedule a babysitter, at least around here, can mean weeks, sometimes months of trying to find compatible schedules. Is it me, or are babysitters busier than they ever used to be? I haven’t been able to get our high school babysitter ever since she started high school. So essentially I have been without one for six months or more. And don’t even get me started on the cost of a night out.

So what do you do? How do you keep the romance with kids? Well, simple affordable and nutritious products like Olivieri spinach and cannelloni, or their limited time heart shaped pasta can help. This year, we made a pesto spinach and cheese with feta and garlic bread. The whole family enjoyed that which is a nice thing when a meal satisfies everyone.

Spinach and cheese pesto:

Start with 2-3 packages of spinach and cheese cannelloni.

One package of pesto Olive oil Feta cheese Garlic bread

Drizzle olive oil in glass casserole dish. Add cannelloni. Cook according to instructions. I suggest drizzling a bit of pesto on top of the noodles before you cook them or they will dry out and stick to bottom. Pull out of the oven about 5 minutes before it is supposed to be finished (20 minutes in) and add the remainder of your pesto. Bake for at least 3-5 more minutes. Remove from oven, plate the noodles and sauce and sprinkle feta cheese liberally on top. Serve with salad and some heart shaped garlic bread. Enjoy!!

I asked my 12-year-old what things they’d like to do to add to a Valentine’s dinner.

Five things school aged children can help with on Valentine’s Day

This is what my youngest said:

(Actually I think this recipe is so simple my 12-year-old could cook it.)

1. Set the table up fancy with a pretty table cloth like at the restaurant.

2. Cut some garlic bread with cookie cutters into heart shapes.

3. Make some fun Valentine’s with each family member’s names on them and fold in half as if they are place cards.

4. Set the mood. Find a CD – Payton suggested Michael Buble and put it on for dinner time.

5. Make a tasty healthy salad to serve with the meal.

Then do the dishes and clean up afterwards. (I might have snuck that one in there, but it’s a nice idea.)

Olivieri Pasta has some other great ideas of romantic recipes to share here.

Right now Olivieri is running a #Recipes4Romance contest. You can win a spa retreat! I want in on that. Enter here: http://www.winwitholivieri.com or http://www.gagnezavecolivieri.ca

If you enjoy Olivieri you should follow them here:
- Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Olivieri
- Twitter account http://twitter.com/OlivieriPasta
- Pinterest: http://www.Pinterest.com/OlivieriPasta
- Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/OlivieriPasta

This post was written for Olivieri Pasta and as such was compensated. My opinion is all my own.

Paula

Canadian Mom of two, traveller, fitness junkie, skier, influencer marketing expert, and keeper of the sanity.

6 Comments on “Valentine’s Day with Kids and Recipes For Romance”

Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel says:

February 10, 2014 at 2:30 am

Love the tips for your children to help out! Love the recipe – looks easy and delicious. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Jennifer Van Huss says:

February 10, 2014 at 2:55 am

That meal sounds delicious! Something easy to make with the kids, but really celebrates the season with love!
Monica says:

February 10, 2014 at 12:56 pm

This sounds delicious and the perfect Valentine’s Day meal. I may just try this for my family , they would love it!
BIGDADDY says:

February 10, 2014 at 1:20 pm

My wife Wendy would love this!
Milk and Coco in the City! says:

February 10, 2014 at 2:46 pm

My fav tip would have to be: Set the mood! Super cute. What an easy but yummy recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon Brickell says:

February 12, 2014 at 7:14 am

Anything with feta is a hit in our family! And great ideas for getting the kids involved!