Healthy Hollywood: Fab Food Friday – Valentine’s Celebrations for Strong, Sexy Singles Like Jennifer Aniston!

Single on Valentine’s Day? Don’t despair! It’s not just a night for cuddly (aka annoying) couples. Celebrate!

Being single is fantastic – you’ve got the freedom to do what you want, flirt with whom you want, and feast on the foods you want!

Plus, you’re in pretty good company. Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Swift, Sienna Miller, and Sandra Bullock are all gorgeous and single. And, I bet they’re not home alone eating a pint of ice cream and tearing up over their single status.

Gather up your single pals and celebrate your girl power. Throw a Single Girls dinner party! “Invite your best friends over, slap on your favorite playlist, and catch up over a cocoa-inspired menu,” suggests Nadia G., host of Cooking Channel’s “Bitchin’ Kitchen.” “Remember Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about romantic love, it’s also about love the love you feel for you friends…and for chocolate.” Thanks Nadia – those are words to remember and live by!

Nadia G. serves up 3 simple suggestions for a successful ‘Single & Happy’ Dinner Bash.

1. Set The Mood:
Having all your single girl friends in one room is a fab opportunity to gossip, vent, and have a coupla laughs. As for a ‘no complaining’ rule, c‘mon, I come from an Italian family, complaining is a basic right. So the only rule is to have a blast! Well that, and no romantic comedies. Ew.

2. Party Games:
One of my favorite games is ‘Drinking.’ If you like variety, try cutting up card stock and challenge your girlfriends to an Anti-Valentine’s poem contest. Or have a clothing swap, tell your girls to bring Bitchin’ clothes and accessories that they don’t wear anymore and trade goodies. Who needs a man when you’ve got Manolos?

3. Plenty of Chocolate:
Start the evening off with some Chocolate-Mint-tinis. Serve up a main grilled filet mignon drizzled with a chocolate balsamic reduction, and a candied pecan and strawberry salad on the side. Have a cheese plate with crostini, prosciutto bites, and honey. And for dessert: chocolate-nougat fondue with fresh fruit and salty pretzels.

Here’s Nadia G.’s recipe for the main course. Serves 2 – but (of course) adjust to # of guests you’re feeding!

Filet Mignon with Chocolate Balsamic Reduction (serves 2 – adjust according to # of guests)

Ingredients:
2 x 1” thick filet mignon steaks, aged angus
6 tablespoons aged balsamic (minimum 7 years old)
1 teaspoon dark chocolate, finely grated
6 tablespoons maple syrup
Fleur de sel
Freshly cracked pepper
Olive oil

Directions:
Filet Mignon: Bring steaks to room temperature. Massage both sides with Fleur de Sel & freshly cracked pepper. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add the steaks to the hot pan. Sear the steaks for 2 minutes on each side. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the steaks for another 2 minutes per side. Tent the cooked steaks in aluminum foil and let them rest for 10 minutes.

Balsamic reduction: Heat a small pot on medium; add the 6 tablespoons of aged balsamic and 6 tablespoons of maple syrup. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, until consistency is syrupy and coats the spoon. Add 1-2 tablespoons of finely-grated, semi-sweet dark chocolate. Stir to melt for another minute, remove from heat. Serve immediately, this stuff gets gummy.
Slap the grilled filet mignon on a plate. Drizzle with Chocolate-Balsamic reduction, and serve with love… or french fries. Whatever.

Who says food is the key to a man’s heart? Must have been a guy! ‘Cuz nothing perks up a girl’s night better than excellent food. For more recipes and sassy party tips, check out Nadia G.’s cookbooks or jump to www.bitchinlifestyle.tv.

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Make Surprise Appearance At Madonna's Oscars After-Party