Friday, February 10, 2012

Happy VD! (Valentine's Day)... (from February's edition of The Source)


Happy VD! (Valentine's Day)...
Valentine's Day is arriving fast, are you prepared? Do you want to have a romantic dinner but are a little short of cash? What is the solution? Cook something!!!!

Cook? Who me???? Yeah you! Trust me a romantic dinner at home with candlelight and soft music can be a very powerful aphrodisiac (if there is such a thing)!

Yes, I am serious, not only can you earn serious brownie points, but you can save some cash by staying in and making it a night to remember.

What can I cook? Well that depends on you... do you have a signature dish? Do you have a regional style that you can improvise with (Italian, Chinese, etc.)? I would recommend something light and flavorful, because honestly you do not want to put your date into a food coma, if you get my meaning... wink, wink, nudge, nudge...

Here are a couple of ideas to get you started, but you could always search the internet or ask a friend for suggestions.

Spinach strawberry salad
8 ounces fresh torn spinach or baby spinach
1 1/2 to 2 cups cleaned and sliced strawberries


Dressing
1/4 cup Canola oil or other salad oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon strawberry preserves
Pinch of salt and pepper

Preparation:
Toss spinach with sliced strawberries.
Microwave strawberry preserves for 15-20 seconds and combine with remaining dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid; shake until well blended.
When ready to serve, drizzle dressing over the salad and toss lightly.

Simple Roast Chicken (from Real Simple)
1 onion, sliced
1 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken, giblets removed
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 pounds new potatoes, halved

Preparation:
Heat oven to 450° F. Place the onion in a large roasting pan. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Tuck the wings under the chicken and place it on top of the onion. Rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Scatter the potatoes around the chicken, drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of oil, and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Roast, tossing the potatoes once, until a thermometer inserted into a thigh registers 165°F, 50 to 60 minutes. Let the chicken rest at least 15 minutes before carving. Serve with the potatoes and onions. http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/simple-roast-chicken-10000001141403/index.html

For dessert, you can use your imagination! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Now go cook something for someone you love. Trace
See this and other recipes at www.cookingwithtrace.com  or email me at cookingwithtrace@gmail.com


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