February: Romantic food and stories

Our February chefs:
Melanie Munns, Kathy Drake, Destry Hardy, and Kim Haggarton

Well done ladies - I LOVED the theme, I LOVED the food, I LOVED the conversation, I LOVED the matching RED and PINK and WHITE, and I LOVED that you all posed for me by the fireplace without any complaints! (Shame on those who left early and aren't in the picture!)

Our Gourmet Group!

The menu was delicious and festive! Recipes will be joining the pictures shortly. Enjoy drooling over the pictures until then! I'm so glad we do this so often! What a fun treat it is to spend such a nice evening with all of you.

One of our assignments, besides dressing in Red (or a festive Valentine color) was to come prepared to share a best/worst Valentine's Day story. So I never actually shared a story... I'm not sure it falls into either category of best or worst, just... a story. (I'll make it quick)

MY VALENTINE STORY: During the Olympics of 2002 when we had a month break from college, 5 friends and I piled into a minivan and drove to Disneyland for 5 days. Our first day at Disneyland happened to be Valentine's Day. Six people: three boys, three girls - you do the math. Mindy was smitten with Jason, and Adam was smitten with the Heidi, so that left me and Bryan... I didn't even KNOW Bryan, and so I proclaimed on this very momentous Valentine's Day in the most magical romantic place on Earth that Mickey Mouse was indeed my Valentine, and yes, my one true love. As we skipped down Main Street I vowed I could have no other Valentine and I think Bryan got the hint (he was later sick for most of the vacation and stayed at the hotel - oh dear), and to prove my devotion, we stood in line for close to TWO hours in Toon Town to get a picture with Mickey in his house. I told Mickey (who by the way is more often than not played by a girl), that he was my true love. I kissed him on the cheek and was allowed to get more than one picture with him. After this experience, I realize I no longer date outside of my species, and fell in love with my Dave. Sometimes when Dave and I go to Disneyland, I think I should visit Mickey and let him know we can only be just friends, but I haven't had the guts to tell him it's over... ah, young love!



On to the food!

Sugar Kissed Almond Salad

2 heads red leaf lettuce, washed, dried and chilled (do this early so the greens will be completely dry and chilled)

1/2 Bermuda onion, sliced into thin rings
11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained
6 Tbsp. white sugar
8 oz. sliced almonds

Orange Dressing:
1 tsp. grated orangepel
1 cup Canola oil
2/3 cup fresh orange juice
4 Tbsp. sugar
4 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tbsp. Good Seasons Dry Italian Dressing Mix

Mix into an emulsion in the blender, this keeps the ingredients from separating.

Do not dress the salad until immediately prior to serving.

Wash and gently, but completely, dry and cover lettuce. Place in refrigerator to chill. Prepare next 3 ingredients, cover and chill. Put sugar in small skillet. Heat on medium heat until sugar starts to dissolve. Add sliced almonds and continue to heat until sugar is dissolved and almonds are coated. Be careful not to burn almonds as nuts quickly brown. Pour out onto aluminum foil and spread out. Just before serving, tear lettuce into small pieces and add onion, oranges and almonds. Unless salad is to be served right away, it is best to dress portions separately.

Serves 8-10 people.



Cupid's Love Potion

Raspberry Sherbet
Frozen Pink lemonade (mix per can directions)
Lemon Lime Drink
Straws (optional)

Place small scoop of sherbet into cup. Add equal parts of lemonade and lemon lime drink to fill remainder of cup. Insert straw and slurp away!

(Warning: Potion has been known to cause shortness of breath, dizziness, increase in heart rate, and love sickness!).




Homemade Bread

From start to finish in 1 hour.



Roma(ntic) Mostcolli

1 12 oz box or bag Mostacolli or Penne noodles
5 oz fresh asiago cheese (approx. 7 oz.) grated
28 oz. Italian stewed tomatoes (diced)
1 small carton fresh basil (chopped)
4 Tbsp. olive oil
3 Tbsp. fresh garlic
1 1/2 tsp. chicken bullion

Use big pot. Pour in oil, add garlic and cook on medium high until it simmers. Add Bullion, basil, chicken and tomatoes. Cook until warm. Cook pasta and add to pot just before serving. Add cheese last. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.


Valentine's Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter
2 1/2 cups flour
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tarter

Mix all together in Kitchen Aid or Bosh, if it sticks to hand add more flour. Chill covered 2-3 hours. Roll into balls or roll out flat with rolling pin and use cookie cutters.
Bake at 375 F for 7-8 minutes.

FROSTING:
3 cups powdered sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp. milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Drop of almond extract (optional)
Food coloring of choice

Frost cookies when cooled, then add sprinkles, candy hearts, or anything you'd like.


Chocolate Lover's Mint Brownies

BROWNIES

Bette Crocker fudge brownie mix - follow directions on package.
Bake in greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
DO NOT OVERBAKE!
Let brownies cool completely. (You can also use a 'from scratch' fudge brownie recipe if desired).

MINT FROSTING

4 Tbsp. butter, softened
2 Tbsp. evaporated milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
2 drops green or pink food coloring

Mix all ingredients for frosting and spread on cooled brownies. Refrigerate 1 hour.

GLAZE TOPPING

6 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine butter and chocolate chips in top of double broiler; add vanilla and blend thoroughly. Pour gently over pink or green frosting and spread by tipping pan.
Refrigerate.