Whether you are making a home cooked meal for Valentine’s Day or going out to eat, keep it local! Before you make reservations check out our Idaho Preferred restaurants that use local ingredients on their menu. Find the complete list here. Or, try a new recipe at home that includes local ingredients. Idaho has a variety of proteins available such as beef, pork, lamb and trout. Trout is a great source of protein and low in calories and fat. Try making these Rainbow Trout Fajitas at home. To accompany your fajitas, try a new twist on Spanish sides like Mexican barley or lentils instead of rice, and one of many varieties of dry beans grown in Idaho. Compliment your local homemade meal with some Idaho wine. And, finish the night with a bowl of delicious local ice cream from Farr’s or Cloverleaf Creamery.

Focus your side dishes on ingredients that are heart healthy in honor of February being heart month!
Beans & Lentils
Dried beans and lentils are a great source of plant protein and are available year around. Find Zursun beans and lentils at the Boise Co-op and Whole Foods or contact Zursun directly in Twin Falls, Idaho. Rangen Inc. grows beans in Buhl, Idaho. Learn more about about Rangen Inc. here.
Barley
Idaho is the second largest producer of barley in the nation and many barley foods now carry the American Heart Association’s seal of approval. Barley is great as a side in place of rice, or in soups and stews. Look for Hearty Barley soup made by Kauffman Farms in Filer, Idaho. Order their products here.

Extend the holiday into the weekend and stop by Idaho wineries for special holiday events. Huston Vineyards is hosting a Wine & Chocolate weekend featuring a different sweet treat each day. Click here for details. Ste. Chapelle is also having a wine and chocolate pairing event and will feature live music. Learn more about this event here. Bitner Vineyards will be hosting a wine,cheese and chocolate event featuring Weiser Classic Candy. Find out more details for this event here. Finally, visit Indian Creek Winery for a fun Valentine’s Bazaar with live music, wine tasting and a photo booth. Find out more information here.