We know you’ve seen the Valentine’s Day decor at the stores the day after Christmas, so we can boast about being later than stores on this one. If you remember last year, we gave stay-at-home dinner ideas from our friends from the Arkansas TV original production “Cooking on the Wild Side.” We’re bringing it back this year with a few new recipes from our “Cooking on the Wild Side” friends to try this year instead of going to an expensive dinner.
Each Saturday at 2:30 p.m., “Cooking on the Wild Side” brings back Phyllis Speer and John Philpot with mouth-watering recipes and endearing banter from the original “Arkansas Outdoors” series.
Wild Duck and Rice
Duck season just wrapped up in Arkansas, so we know you or someone you know has some ducks that you can use for a dish that won’t leave you feeling like a sack of potatoes. We know this one takes a while, but this year, Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday, so don’t be afraid to make your Valentine’s Day special at home.
- 2 ducks
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 sticks of margarine
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups of water
- Coarsely chopped red pepper
- 3 cups cooked rice
Salt duck well inside and out. Melt margarine in a large Dutch oven and saute ducks well. Add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. With ducks, breast up, cover with chopped garlic and ½ cup of coarsely ground red pepper. Turn down to a simmer and cook for 3 hours, adding water as needed. When ducks are done, drain stock to remove red pepper and pour over cooked rice.
Bar-B-Q Venison Roast
Maybe you’re in the mood for some barbecue this Valentine’s Day? This entree is packed with flavors that will taste like you haven’t seen snow and ice for two straight weeks. This is one of those meals that you cook slow and low, so take that time to tell your significant other how much you love and appreciate them!
- 1 (5 to 6 lb.) venison roast
- ½ cup Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ tsp. sage
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp. celery salt
- ½ tsp. Tabasco
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- 2 tbsp. liquid smoke
Place the meat in a Dutch oven. Mix in a saucepan the remaining ingredients until the sugar melts. Use half of the sauce under and over roast. Cover and bake 4.5 hours at 275 degrees. Use the remaining sauce over the roast when done.
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Why bake once, when you can bake twice? This has everything you love about baked potatoes, but in a form that you can put together, stick in the oven and get ready for a great Valentine’s Day that you and your date will surely love.
- 6 medium unpeeled potatoes, baked
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 1 lb. sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3 cups sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, chopped
Cut baked potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place half in a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the salt, pepper and bacon. Top with half of the sour cream and cheese. Repeat layers. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with onions.
Chocolate Cherry Cake
Is there a better dessert combination for Valentine’s Day than red fruit and chocolate? We know chocolate strawberries usually get a lot of love on Valentine’s Day, but if you’re looking to switch things up, this chocolate cherry cake is sure to follow up these great meals with a nice end to your dinner.
- 1 box devil’s food cake mix
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 (6 oz.) package chocolate chips
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. almond flavoring
Icing:
- 1 stick of margarine
- 3 ½ tbsp. cocoa
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- 1 box powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Do not use a mixer. Beat two eggs, then add all remaining ingredients except chocolate chips. Put into a lightly floured and greased 13x9x2-inch pan. Put chocolate chips on top of the cake. Push them down into the top of the cake, but don’t cover them with cake mix. Bake at 250 degrees for about 40 to 45 minutes. To make icing, warm margarine in a saucepan until melted; remove from heat and add the remaining ingredients. Pour over the warm cake.
People Chow
We have heard of puppy chow, but never people chow. And, to be honest, at this point, we’re not sure either one sounds better than the other, but if you want a delicious snack that you can eat snuggled up on the couch with your significant other watching Arkansas TV, then this easy dessert will be right up your alley!
- 1 box Chex cereal
- 1 bag of chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ stick butter
- Powdered sugar
Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Add to Chex cereal; mix well and then pour on powdered sugar until coated. Put on wax paper and let cool.
How to Watch
For more delicious recipes, catch episodes of “Cooking on the Wild Side” Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. See the complete schedule at myarpbs.org/schedule.