Quick & Easy Galentine’s Day Lunch Recipes

Valentine’s Day might be around the corner, but for us single gals, it’s all about celebrating friendship, women power and the rock stars we truly are. And what better way to ring in the celebration than with a fun Galentine’s Day lunch with all your besties.

Now before you settle for your usual eating spot, why not kick it up a notch (it is a special occasion) by whipping up a delicious lunch for you and your gals instead. We have put together four fantastic recipes, from light shrimp and veggie lettuce wraps to refreshing sparkling ice teas that are the perfect on the go lunches for your BFFs. So keep reading to find out step by step instructions on how you can recreate these delicious Galentine’s Day themed lunches.

RECIPE: BUILD YOUR OWN LETTUCE WRAPS

These flavor-filled lettuce wraps are the perfect light meal sure to satisfy everyone

Shrimp & Pineapple Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ to 2 cups of medium raw shrimp
• ¼ cup to ½ cup of Trader Joe’s Island Soyaki Sauce
• ½ cup of pineapple cubes
• ½ cup of riced cauliflower
• 8 to 10 butter lettuce leaves

Direction:

In a ziplock bag, add the shrimp, Island Soyaki sauce and pineapple cubes. Seal the bag and shake until all combined. Leave it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Pour the shrimp and pineapple (with the sauce) in a large pan and cook for 6 to 8 mins. Add the riced cauliflower and cook for another 2 to 3  minutes or until fully cooked.

Turn off the heat and set aside.

Veggie & Pineapple Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of cooked mixed vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions)
• ¼ cup to ½ cup of Trader Joe’s Island Soyaki Sauce
• ½ cup of pineapple cubes
• ½ cup of riced cauliflower
• 8 to 10 butter lettuce leaves

Directions:

In a ziplock bag, add the veggies, Island Soyaki sauce and pineapple cubes. Seal the bag and shake until everything is well combined. Leave it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Pour the veggies and pineapple (with the sauce) in a large pan and cook for 4 to 6 mins. Add the riced cauliflower and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until fully cooked.

Turn off the heat and set aside.

How to Assemble the Lettuce Wraps:

To create these Do it Yourself lettuce wraps, carefully roll two butter lettuces and put them inside the Valentine’s Day-themed treat boxes.

Next scoop some of the filling into cupcake liners.  Set the liners on top of each butter lettuce-filled treat boxes.

And that’s it!

RECIPE: Sweet Potato Chips

Enjoy these thin, crispy sweet potato chips served with a tzatziki cucumber dip

Ingredients:

• 2 sweet potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1-2 cups of coconut oil or vegetable oil for frying
• Tzatziki Creamy Garlic Cucumber Dip

Directions:

Start by peeling, washing and drying your sweet potatoes. Next, slice the sweet potatoes into rounds, making sure they’re as thin as possible. We recommend using a mandoline slicer for ease, but a sharp knife can do the job just as well.

Heat coconut ( or vegetable) oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the sweet potato rounds in batches for about 4-5 minutes. Don’t forget to flip the chips every minute or two to get an even frying.

Remove the chips from the oil, and drain them on a plate lined with paper towels. Let them cool. Serve with TJ’s Tzatziki Creamy Garlic Cucumber Dip.

For the festive touch, fill small Chinese takeout containers with these delicious sweet potato chips. Scoop 1 to 2 tbsp of the Tzatziki dip in mini cupcake liners and put them on top of the containers.

And enjoy!

RECIPE: Sparkling Ice Tea

Quench the thirst with this refreshing sparkling drink

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of unsweetened tea
• 1 Sparkling Martinelli Cider (25.4 fl oz)
• ¼ cup of water
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• Slices of tangerine (or oranges)
• Ice

Directions:

Start by making a small syrup. In a small pot, add the water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and add the brown sugar. Stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. Turn off heat and set aside.

Time to make the sparkling ice tea

Take a large bowl and add the unsweetened tea, sparkling cider, syrup and ice. Stir until all combined. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Add more ice if needed. You can also make these alcoholic by simply adding your favorite rum or whiskey to the tea.

Pour sparkling ice tea in small mason jars with a lid for on the go.

RECIPE: Cookie Butter & Coconut Dipped Biscottis

Dress up an italian classic with these delights dipped in creamy cookie butter and coconut flakes

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter (or peanut butter)
• ¼ cup of coconut flakes
• 8 almond biscotti

Directions:

Line a baking sheet with wax paper.

Melt the cookie butter over a double broiler until completely melted. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Dip each end of the biscotti into the melted cookie butter and then dip them into a bowl of coconut flakes. Tap off any excess and set each dipped biscotti on the wax paper.

Allow to set for at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Once they’re done, simply package them by twos in cute Valentine’s Day-themed goodie bags.