A dream 5 course meal
Tomorrow, this moment and 10 years from now are never a guarantee. Every day is a simple miracle, because you exist--- and with this existence you are rewarded with the freedom to bask in the elegance that this life offers. With that said, bust out your cloth napkins; clean off the dining room table, use the china and prepare to create a 5 course, healthy, cheap, easy meal. Gather with those you love, or spice things up with your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day. Life is too short to eat every meal in front of the TV, or use paper towels as napkins. Do something different, have a new mini-adventure, and simply live it up.
Here are some simple instructions to create a world-class dinner:
Menu
1st Anjou Pears and crumbled blue cheese with balsamic vinegar dressing
2nd Steamed Artichokes or assorted steamed veggies
3rd Home-made Macaroni and cheese or whole roasted chicken
4th Salad greens with light Italian dressing
5th Heath Bar and Hershey Chocolate Frozen Ice Cream Pie
Shopping List (4 portions)
*check your cupboards before you head to the market. You may already have some of these items.
3 Anjou Pears
5oz Blue Cheese- pre-crumbled or block
Bottle of balsamic vinegar dressing—a good one is Annie's Naturals Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette--Click here for details
2 Large Artichokes or an assortment of season veggies
Garlic
Olive oil
1 bad of mixed greens
Carrots
Italian dressing—a good one is Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix-- Click here for details
Gram crackers
4 Heath bars
1 pint of chocolate ice cream
1 pint coffee ice cream
Kahlua or Irish cream
Can of whipping cream
Hershey syrup
If you’re making the Mac & cheese:
1 bag/1 lb of Shell or Macaroni dried pasta
Milk
Flour
Butter (sticks)
3c or 8 oz Cheddar cheese
Nutmeg
Breadcrumbs
If you’re making the chicken:
Whole- chicken—found in the deli section. I would recommend getting it @ Whole Foods
Fresh Thyme and/or Rosemary
Lemon
Now remember, the fun of having a dinner like this is to take your time. Get everything prepared beforehand, and just keep an eye on the clock. Pour wine, take breathers and enjoy each other’s conversation….this is no marathon. Here are a few tips for this meal:
-Put artichokes/veggies in as soon as you begin to plate the 1st course. (Artichoke will take 40-60 minutes)
-10 minutes before you serve the artichokes/veggies, put in the mac&cheese.
-If you’re making the chicken, put it in as soon as your guest arrive, or 1 hour 45 minutes until course # 3.
-Make ice cream pie the day before.
1st Course Instructions:
Anjou Pears and crumbled blue cheese with balsamic vinegar dressing
- Clean and slice pears. Place small side plates in freezer before serving--- the plate will keep the food cold and shows you went out of your way....thoughtful. Crumble blue cheese over pears and drizzle dressing.
- Side note: Serving fruit as the 1st course or on an empty stomach is helpful in digestion. It’s best for your body and will be digested more easily.
2nd Course Instructions:
Steamed Artichokes or assorted steamed veggies
- Steamed Artichokes—Click here
- Steamed veggies—Clean and cut
o Place raw veggies on baking sheet.
o Coat with olive oil, fresh garlic and pepper. NO SALT yet.
o Bake on 350 for 30min
o Check veggies for tenderness—they may take up to 45minutes.
o When finished, remove from oven; add salt and portion out on small side plates.
3rd Course Instructions:
Home-made Macaroni & Cheese or whole roasted chicken
Home-made Macaroni & Cheese (this can be made earlier in the day):
- Heat oven to 350
- Cook pasta normally, leaving it in between ‘a bit on the hard side’ and al dente.
- In the meantime, heat 4 cups of milk on the stove.
- In a separate pot, melt 6 T of butter.
- After butter is melted, slowly stir/wisk in ½ c of flour
- Slowly begin to stir/wisk in hot milk —making a roux
- Simmer mixture for 2 minutes.
- Turn heat off and add the following ingredients:
o 4c or 12oz Greyer cheese
o 3c or 8 oz Cheddar cheese
o ½tsp Nutmeg
o ½ tsp or more Pepper
o Salt- use your taste judgment
- When all ingredients are mixed together, pour in cooked pasta.
- Pour mixture into 12X8 non-stick/glass baking dish.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes.
Baked Chicken:
-Heat oven to 325
-Place chicken in baking dish
-Rub with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
-Squeeze ½ of a lemon on the outside of the chicken.
-Stuff the rest inside the chicken, with the thyme and garlic cloves.
-Rub additional crushed fresh garlic on the outside of the chicken.
-Bake for 1 hour and 30minutes. Plan for 1 hour and 45 minutes total (It will need time to cool)
4th Course Instructions:
Salad greens with light Italian dressing
- Clean, peel and cut carrots. Place small side plates in freezer before serving.
- Portion salad greens & carrots on the cold plates. Drizzle with Italian dressing.
- Side note: It is best to serve a small salad at the end of the meal. It also helps with digestion and is a nice compliment to your stomach filling up.
5th Course Instructions:
Heath Bar and Hershey Chocolate Frozen Ice Cream Pie
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