Valentine Day is For Food Lovers, Valentine Dinner

Valentine Day has traditionally been a day reserved for lovers. What better way show your love than a great tasting meal made from, native grown food items like pork chops from Iowa, Apples from Washington and beets from Minnesota. Who other than your grandmother, would you ask for a recipe? Who else but the American icon, Betty Crocker? This meal is a delight to the palate and eye, the sweet and sour beets dressed in their beautiful valentine red compliment the white meat from the Iowa Chop topped with the wonderful spicy cinnamon flavor of the apples. Since chocolate is considered to be food for the heart, later on treat your Valentine to a glass of California wine and Americas favorite “Best Chocolate Cake Ever” Iowa Chops and Apples 1 medium unpeeled cooking apple, sliced 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 Iowa Chops about ¼ lb each Pre heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place apples in a 1-½ quart casserole. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon Oil an 8-10 inch skillet and heat over medium heat 1-2 minutes. Cool pork in hot skillet about 5 minutes per side, until lightly browned. Place Pork in a single layer on top of apples, cover and bake about 45 minutes or until pork is slightly pink near the center and apples are tender. Be careful not to overcook the pork it will become dry and tough. While the apples and pork are cooking prepare your beets. You may use fresh or canned beets. German Beets 10 medium *raw beets or 2 15 oz cans, sliced (*Wash raw beets leave root and 2 inches of top attached. Cover with water add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to preserve color, salt if desired and bring to a boil, cook until tender, 45-50 minutes) 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons sugar 1-teaspoon salt 1/8-teaspoon pepper 1 1/3 cup water (using canned beets reserve liquid and add water to make 1 1/3 cups) ½ cup white vinegar Slice beets; mix cornstarch, sugar, salt and pepper in a 3- quart saucepan. Gradually stir in water and vinegar. Cook stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil 1 minute. Stir in beets and cook until hot. Plate up by placing Chop in center of plate, top with 1/5 the apples and dust with a bit more cinnamon, use a lettuce leaf to cradle the beets, Light the candles, pour the wine and enjoy.