Celebrate Love with a Kidney-Healthy Valentine’s Day Dinner

Looking to spice up your Valentine’s Day? Whether you're celebrating with a loved one or treating yourself, these recipes are perfect for a flavorful dinner that won’t sacrifice kidney health.  Read on for a full dinner plan that’s as tasty as it is kind to your kidneys!

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• Watermelon Spritzer
• Chicken Empanadas
• Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema
• Tembleque

This spritzer is a perfect drink for Valentine's Day. With its rich red color, this vibrant drink is as beautiful as it is delicious.

Ingredients

• 4 cups, watermelon, seedless, diced
• 32 oz. lime flavored club soda
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 individual artificial sweetener packets

Directions

• Divide the watermelon into 4 glasses.
• Mash the watermelon.
• Add 1 cup of club soda, ¼ teaspoon almond extract, and 1 packet of Stevia to each glass.
• Stir, add ice, and serve.

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Enjoy a healthier, low-sodium twist on the traditional empanada. After making the dough from scratch, consider shaping the empanadas into heart forms for a fun touch. With the crispy texture from the air fryer and a flavorful chicken filling, these heart-shaped empanadas are sure to be a hit.

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup hot water
• 1 tablespoon oil

For the filling:

• 8 ounces (or ½ pound) chicken
• 1 garlic clove, sliced
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup onion, chopped
• ½ cup bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin

To assemble the empanadas:

• 3 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
• Water

Directions

1. In a deep pot, add water, sliced garlic, bay leaf, and raw chicken. Boil for 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
2. For the dough: In a medium bowl, add hot water, salt, oil, and flour. Stir with a fork to incorporate most of the flour. Then, using clean hands, mix all the flour until you can form a homogeneous dough. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature for 25 minutes.
3. For the filling: Shred the boiled chicken. Cut the onion and bell pepper into cubes. In a pan, add oil, onions, and bell peppers. Sauté for 6-8 minutes over medium heat. Add the chicken and the rest of the seasonings. Mix until all ingredients are combined. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. To make the empanadas: Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a small ball. Place the dough ball on parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough to form a circle about 4 inches in diameter. On one half of the dough, place approximately 1.2 ounces of filling and ½ ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese. Wet the edges of the dough with water and fold in half. Use a fork to seal the edges of the empanadilla. At this point, you can freeze them or cook them in the air fryer.
5. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Cook the empanadillas for 22 minutes or until the surface is golden brown. Enjoy hot.

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Treat your loved one to a flavorful, kidney-friendly taco experience. The crispy roasted cauliflower and creamy cilantro lime crema make it healthy and tasty–the perfect combination for a fun Valentine's Day dinner.

Ingredients

• 8 corn tortillas

Taco filling:

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Cilantro Lime Crema:

• 1/2 cup plain, unsweetened, vegan yogurt
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon of lime zest
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, taco seasoning, paprika, and chili powder.
3. Spread the cauliflower florets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Roast for 25 – 35 minutes, or until tender and browned.
5. While the cauliflower roasts, prepare the cilantro lime crema. In a blender or food processor, combine yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and garlic powder. Blend until smooth and creamy.
6. Warm the tortillas according to package instructions.
7. Spoon roasted cauliflower onto warmed tortillas and serve.

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End your special meal on a sweet note with this light refreshing dessert. Bonus points for serving it in cute, heart-themed ramekins for an extra touch!

Ingredients

• 13½ ounces of unsweetened canned coconut milk
• 10½ ounces water
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• 1/16 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cinnamon to taste

Directions

1. Combine coconut milk and water in a container. Mix well.
2. Add 2 cups of the mixture to a pot. Place the pot over medium-high heat.
3. Add sugar, salt, and vanilla to the pot. Mix well.
4. In the container with the remaining milk, add cornstarch. Mix well. Add the remaining milk with cornstarch to the pot.
5. Reduce to medium heat and continue stirring with a wooden spoon or whisk until it thickens, approximately 6-8 minutes.
6. Remove from the stove.
7. Wet and drain 8 individual molds or a large round mold. They should have a little water to prevent the mixture from sticking.
8. Pour the mixture into the 8 individual molds or the large round mold.
9. Refrigerate for 4 hours.
10. Sprinkle it with cinnamon before serving. Serve the tembleque cold.

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View our kidney superfoods or get more kidney-friendly recipes.

*This content is provided for informational use only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for the medical advice of a healthcare professional.