Painting the Roses (and Pancakes) Red!

Maybe some of you experienced this, as I did, when you were a child... It was a simple, but fun little touch that my mom added to holidays to help make them special. But why does the fun have to end when you're a adult? Why can't we have a little fun with food coloring too? Now I know, usually I'm all about staying away from processed/added colorings, flavors and such, but it's ok to have a little room to wiggle  around your food standards during the holidays, no?

So your Valentine idea for today is to have a pink and red meal (or day of meals, or heck, one meal each day for a week!). You might have to think outside the box a little, but it will be a fun memory for sure.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started. Of course, you can accomplish even more red/pink food with a dash of food coloring!:

Breakfast:

*Pink/Strawberry milk

*Strawberry muffins

*Strawberry pancakes

*Strawberry Shortcakes

*Biscuits with berry jam

*Strawberry, raspberry, or wild berry yogurt (and parfaits)

*Strawberry donuts

Lunch:

*Ham sandwiches

*Red grapes

*Terra chips (beet)

*Red bean tortilla chips

*Roasted red pepper and feta dip w/ pitas

*Red apple slices

*Sundried tomato wrap

*Tomato soup

*Red pepper strips

Dinner:

*Red beans and rice

*Pasta with tomatoes, red peppers, cheese, garlic, evoo, etc.

*Spaghetti

*Beets

*Red lettuce salad

*Spinach w/ strawberries, pecans, and Gorgonzola or feta cheese

*Red wine

Dessert:

*Red velvet cake (of course!)

*Strawberry pie

*Red jello parfait

*Strawberry ice cream

*Strawberry mousse

*Cheesecake with any red topping or swirl (cherry, raspberry,etc.)

Hopefully this list got your gears turning on how to plan a meal (or week) full of red and pink! You can also get out the heart-shaped cookie cutters and go to town cutting out sandwiches, jello jigglers, biscuits, ham and cheese slices, pieces of cake, etc.  So have fun with the colors of love, and don't forget to take pictures! Be sure and come back here to let me know about your post if you document your red and pink extravaganza - I'd love to see it!