A Naturally Sweet Valentine's Day, 6 Lovely Recipes
Feb 13, 2025

Skillet Chicken with Strawberry-Balsamic Barbecue Sauce
Warm up your Valentine’s night with this cozy and romantic skillet chicken! Juicy strawberries and tangy balsamic create the perfect balance of sweet and savory, making this dish both effortless and elegant. A simple yet impressive way to celebrate love!
- 2 Tbsp. avocado oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 tsp. Redmond Real Salt Sea Salt
- 2 Tbsp. vegan or grass-fed butter
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup Primal Kitchen Barbecue Sauce
- 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
- 1 Tbsp. coconut sugar
- 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. Pri Manuka Honey
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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In large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add chicken and salt and sear to brown chicken on both sides. As soon as no pink is left, remove from pan and set aside.
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In same pan, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, about 1 minute.
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Stir in strawberries, barbecue sauce, garlic salt, coconut sugar, vinegar and honey. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1 minute.
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Place chicken back in pan and bake 12-15 minutes, until thermometer inserted reads 165 degrees F.

Rose Petal Jam – A Taste of Romance
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
1-1/2 cups apple juice
2 cups wild rose petals or 2/3 cup dried rose petals
1 cup PRI Manuka Honey
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/8 tsp. Redmond Real Salt
1 tsp. pectin
- In medium saucepan, combine apple juice and roses and simmer gently 10 minutes, uncovered.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in honey to dissolve. Add lemon juice and salt and simmer 10 minutes over low heat.
- Add pectin, stirring constantly until dissolved to prevent clumping. Simmer gently 15 minutes. (Note: Jam will begin to get firm and will firm up more as it sets.)
- Place into jam jars or airtight lidded jar. Store 2 months in refrigerator, or freeze in freezer-safe container.

Salted Caramel Brownie Parfait Jars – Because Chocolate is a Love Language
1 pkg. Simple Mills Almond Flour Brownie Mix
½ cup Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil with Buttery Flavor
2 pasture-raised eggs
3 Tbsp. water
1 ripe avocado
1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
2-1/2 Tbsp. coconut cream
1/4 cup SunButter Organic Sunflower Butter
1 Tbsp. cacao powder
4 Tbsp. maple syrup monk fruit or honey
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 cup Hu Dark Chocolate Gems or chocolate chips
- Make brownies according to package instructions. Cut into squares that fit jar, bowl or cup used for serving.
- In high-speed blender, add all ingredients for mousse. Blend until whipped and completely smooth
- In jar, parfait cup or bowl, place brownie. Add about 1/4 cup mousse on top. Repeat for six parfaits. (Note: Use larger jars, bowls or cups for three larger servings.)
- Melt chocolate gems or chips. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon into each jar.
- Finish by grating chocolate bar over each.
- Serve immediately.

Cashew-Coconut Cream & Kiwi Chocolate Tarts – A Fresh, Light, and Elegant Treat
If you’re looking for something beautiful and refreshing to serve, these Cashew-Coconut Cream & Kiwi Chocolate Tarts are the perfect choice. The chocolatey, crisp crust pairs so well with the silky, citrusy cashew-coconut filling, and the fresh kiwi on top makes it extra special.
2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Paleo Flour
3 Tbsp. organic cacao powder
2 Tbsp. vegan butter
1/4 cup organic maple syrup
1/2 tsp. Redmond Real Salt Sea Salt
1/2 tsp. organic vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. water
1/4 cup lemon juice about 1 large lemon
1-1/2 cups organic cashews soaked in water 4 hours to soften
6 Tbsp. maple syrup
6 Tbsp. Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil
2 Tbsp. shredded organic coconut
1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. Redmond Real Salt Sea Salt
1/4 cup shredded coconut
2 kiwi fruits peeled and sliced
Mint to garnish
- In mixing bowl, combine all crust ingredients and mix well and form onto ball
- Grease 6 4-inch tart pans. Break off pieces from dough and press and form into tart pan to create crust.
- In high-speed blender, add all ingredients for cashew-coconut filling. Blend until smooth.
- Pour cream into tart crusts.
- Sprinkle each tart with shredded coconut, and garnish with slices of kiwi and fresh mint leaves. Refrigerate 3 hours or freeze 1 hour prior to serving. (Note 1/4 - 1/2 of a tart is one serving.)
- Store in refrigerator.

Gluten-Free Lamington Cake With Berry Filling
Celebrate love with a Valentine’s twist on the classic Australian Lamington! This gluten-free treat features fluffy sponge cake, rich chocolate, and shredded coconut, plus a sweet layer of homemade berry jam for a romantic touch.
- 1-1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1 /2 Tbsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 4 organic large eggs room temperature
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk or other dairy-free milk
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups raspberries or strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. water
- 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1-1/2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper.
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In mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, tapioca flour, coconut flour, baking powder and salt.
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In another bowl, beat eggs and coconut sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add coconut milk, melted coconut oil and vanilla extract; mix well.
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Gradually fold in dry flour mixture until just combined.
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Pour into prepared pan and bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
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Let cake cool completely before slicing in half horizontally.
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In small saucepan over medium heat, combine raspberries, coconut sugar, maple syrup, lemon juice and water. Simmer 5-7 minutes, mashing berries as they break down. Stir in chia seeds and let jam thicken 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
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Carefully slice cooled cake in half horizontally.
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Spread jam evenly over one half, then place other half on top. Freeze cake 30 minutes for ease of coating.
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In small saucepan over low heat, whisk together all coating ingredients until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
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Slice chilled cake into squares. Add shredded coconut to shallow bowl or plate. Use fork or dipping tool to dip each square into melted chocolate mixture and then roll them in coconut, coating entire square. Place Lamingtons on wire rack or parchment-lined tray and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to set fully.
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Refrigerate in airtight container up to 5 days. Freeze up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Sweet Strawberry Chocolate Tart
Is there a dessert more perfect than a rich tart brimming with dark chocolate ganache and topped with plump strawberries? Only one that’s made with better-for-you ingredients! The gluten-free crust for this beauty comes together with vegan butter, cacao and coconut sugar. The chocolate filling is mixed with wholesome ingredients like coconut cream, maple syrup and Redmond salt. Sweet and juicy strawberries add brightness to the dark chocolate for a match made in heaven.
- 2-1/4 cups strawberries some halved, some left whole
- 1 bar HU Simple Dark Chocolate Bar
- 1-1/3 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour
- 3 Tbsp. cacao powder
- 1/4 tsp. Redmond Real Salt Ancient Kosher Sea Salt
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup vegan butter
- 2 Tbsp. Nutiva Organic Buttery Coconut Oil
- 1/2 tsp. Vnlla Extract Co. Madagascar Vanilla
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp. ice water
- 1 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup plant-based milk
- 10 oz. dark chocolate
- 2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease tart pan with butter.
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In mixing bowl, mix together crust ingredients until well combined and dough forms. (Note: Use hands if needed.)
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Evenly press dough into pan, taking time and care to mold it into a crust as perfectly as possible. Bake 15 minutes, after which point, turn oven down to 325 degrees F. (Note: Crust is not meant to be finished in this step and will be baked again.)
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In saucepan over medium-low heat, heat coconut cream and milk until slightly simmering.
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Add chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Add coconut sugar, maple syrup and sea salt and whisk until well incorporated. Whisk in eggs until filling is completely smooth.
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Pour filling into tart shell and bake at 325 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes until filling is set. (Note: If any bubbles or cracks form on surface, take out immediately as these indicate that tart is beginning to be over-baked.)
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Arrange strawberries on top to finish.
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In double boiler or saucepan, melt chocolate bar and drizzle over top of tart. (Note: Tart is best served at room temperature on day it is made.)

These recipes were originally published on my Vitacost blog, where you can purchase all the ingredients at a discounted price. Visit Vitacost.com to shop.
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