We all know how monotonous Valentine can get. And you can eat only so many wings. The recipes below have been adapted with a dorm environment in mind. In fact, each recipe only requires a few items from the grocy store; the rest can be found in Vals.

With that in mind, our first meal is in honor of the Jewish High Holy Days, which begin tonight. The following menu incorporates traditional foods: fish, pomegranate, honey and apples. If you are not a big fish fan, chicken works equally well.

Shopping list:

2 lbs. salmon fillet or chicken breast.

Bag mixed greens (plain lettuce or spinach from Vals, if you prefer).

8 oz. bleu cheese crumbles.

1 pomegranate.

8 oz. walnuts, chopped.

Bag microwavable rice, any variety.

Challah bread, optional.

Total: Approximately $25 at Stop & Shop.

Valentine list:

½ cup + 1 tablespoon honey (about 1 half-full travel coffee cup).

½ cup soy sauce.

1/4 cup Onion.

3 tablespoons olive oil (1 ½ ounces, or a full shot glass).

1/3 cup orange juice.

1 lemon wedge.

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.

4 apples.

1 cup brown sugar.

½ cup butter.

½ cup wheat germ.

Cinnamon.

Vanilla ice cream.

Salt and pepper. Consider getting a box of coarse ground pepper and coarse kosher salt-you won't believe the difference it makes in taste.

Equipment:

1 large bowl or tupperware.

2 gallon size ziplock bags.

1 plate.

Forman grill.

Microwave.

Preparation:

Fish: Mix ½ cup honey, ½ cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup chopped onion, a couple dashes of pepper and 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Pour all but ½ cup into a ziplock bag. Add the salmon and marinate for an hour or more. Grill on a Foreman grill for about eight minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. Pour reserved glaze over cooked salmon. Serve over prepared microwave rice.

Salad: In a large bowl mix with a fork: 1/3 cup orange juice, the juice of a wedge of lemon, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey and a dash of salt and pepper. Add the mixed greens, 2 sliced apples, the seeds from 1 pomegranate, walnuts and bleu cheese. Mix well.

"Baked" Apple: Slice two apples and layer on a plate. In a ziplock bag mix ½ cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup wheat germ, 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Smush it around until it forms little clumps. Sprinkle over the apples. Microwave for 3 ½ minutes or until soft. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Add some Challah and you've got yourself a meal!

Serves 4-6.