Treat your special someone to a Valentine’s Day gift of a home-cooked meal. To help, we are featuring two flavorful recipes — salmon with an interesting Asian flair and beef in a savory sauce. Dessert caters to chocolate lovers with a decadent chocolate torte. Happy Valentine’s Day!

SALMON WITH ‘CHINESE PESTO’

2 pounds salmon fillet
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
1/4 cup minced green onions
1/4 cup minced Chinese parsley (cilantro), optional
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Rinse salmon and pat dry; remove any small bones. Place on large sheet of heavy foil.

In small bowl, combine remaining ingredients; rub mixture into salmon. Wrap fillet in foil and seal.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until salmon is opaque at center. Carefully open foil envelope to allow steam to escape. Serves 6.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 370 calories, 27 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 90 mg cholesterol, 125 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 30 g protein

SHORT RIBS DELIGHT

3 pounds beef short ribs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetable oil
1/4 cup ketchup
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice
1-1/2 tablespoons wine or liquor
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1-1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Season meat with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large sauce pot or Dutch oven. Brown ribs; drain excess oil.

Mix remaining ingredients and pour over short ribs. Cover, bring to boil, then simmer until tender (60 to 90 minutes), stirring occasionally. Serves 6.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving (not including salt to taste that assumes 3 tablespoons oil for browning short ribs): 300 calories, 17 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 55 mg cholesterol, 1,000 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 16 g sugar, 19 g protein

CHOCOLATE CHIP TORTE

2 egg yolks
5 tablespoons sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla, divided
2 egg whites, beaten stiff
1/2 cup coarsely chipped semisweet chocolate
1 cup cream, whipped
Graham cracker crust in 8-inch round cake pan

Beat egg yolks and add 2 1/2 tablespoons of the sugar, salt and milk. Cook until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Add gelatin softened in cold water and 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Chill until partially set.

Add remaining sugar to egg whites and fold into gelatin mixture. Fold in chocolate. Pour into graham cracker crust and chill in refrigerator until firm.

Add rest of vanilla to whipped cream and spread over filling. Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips. Serves 6.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 500 calories, 32 g fat, 15 g saturated fat, 125 mg cholesterol, 400 mg sodium, 50 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 37 g sugar, 7 g protein

——

For more Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes visit www.heco.com.