Romantic Meal for a Special Someone

Would you like to impress that special someone? Who could resist loving you just a little bit more for the gift of a meal prepared with your own hands? Dim the lights and put on the music. Set the table and pour the wine. Whether for your partner of twenty years or for someone new in your life, a romantic dinner shows is timeless. You don’t need to be an amazing chef to make the evening happen. This meal can be done in an hour.

Just for the two of you… Caramelized chicken and rice pilaf, with tender green beans and baby carrots. And for dessert, chocolate mousse with raspberries. Sound complicated? It’s not!

Go ahead, give it a try. Make memories. What have you got to win? A heart maybe :)

STEPS to make a Romantic Meal for a Special Someone

1. Make the Dessert. Put in the fridge
2. Make the Rice Pilaf. Set aside
3. Make the Chicken Thighs. Set aside. (Put in the fridge if more than 1 hour.)
4. To serve, warm the Chicken and Rice for 20 minutes in the oven at 375F, until hot but not dried out.
5. Cook Green Beans and Carrots when you remove chicken from the oven.
6. Plate the rice, chicken, and veggies. Light the candles and enjoy your evening!

Serves 2. Prep time 10 minutes. Cooking time approx. 20 minutes.

Ingredients – Rice Pilaf

1 tbsp Olive Oil

1 c Rice

1/2 c Onion, chopped small

1/2 c Red Pepper, chopped small

1/4 tsp Salt

Water

Method – Rice Pilaf

1. Pour olive oil into a medium saucepan. Warm over medium heat for 1 minute. Add all other ingredients. Sauté for 3 minutes, scraping any rice away from the bottom of the pot.
2. Pour in amount of water specified on the rice package and cover. (Water varies according to the type of rice you choose.) Turn heat to high and bring to a boil, approx 3 minutes. When water starts to bubble, immediately turn heat to medium-low. Cook for amount of time specified on the rice package.
3. Quickly fluff the rice as soon as it is cooked and fragrant. Replace the lid and set aside.

Recipe from Bon Appetit on Epicurious

Serves 2. Prep Time 10 minutes. Cooking time 27 minutes.

Ingredients – Caramelized Chicken Thighs

6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 2 1/4 pounds / 1 kg)

1 tbsp Cooking Oil (High smoke point above 450F, such as Grape Seed Oil or Avocado Oil)

Salt & Pepper

Method – Caramelized Chicken Thighs

1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a 12″ cast-iron or heavy nonstick skillet over high heat 1-2 minutes until hot but not smoking. Nestle chicken in skillet, skin side down, and cook 2 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium-high; continue cooking skin side down, occasionally rearranging chicken thighs and rotating pan to evenly distribute heat, until fat renders and skin is golden brown, about 12 minutes.
4. Transfer skillet to oven and cook 13 more minutes. Flip chicken; continue cooking until skin crisps and meat is cooked through, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate; let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Serves 2. Prep Time 5 minutes. Cooking time 3 minutes.

Ingredients – Tender Green Beans & Baby Carrots

3 oz (90 g) Tender Green Beans (French green beans are best in the winter.)

3 oz (90 g) Baby Carrots or Julienned Carrots

1/2 c Water1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Method – Tender Green Beans & Baby Carrots

1. Bring water to full boil in medium pot with lid on. Add beans and carrots to the pot. Cover and cook for 4 minutes. (Veggies will be tender crisp and brighty coloured. They will continue to cook a little after you remove them from the heat. Most of the water will be gone. Pour off any remaining water.)
2. Immediately remove steaming hot veggies from the stove. Spoon olive oil over and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss again.

Recipe adapted from Christine at COOKtheSTORY

Serves 2. Prep Time 10 minutes

Ingredients – Easy Chocolate Mousse with Raspberries

1/2 cup Greek Yogurt, plain and unsweetened (I use 0% fat but higher fat is okay. Buy a good brand that is mild and creamy, like Liberté.)

2 tbsp Cocoa Powder

3 tbsp Brown Sugar

1/2 tsp Vanilla

1/2 tsp Rum (Optional)

2 squares Dark Chocolate, chopped fine

1 c fresh Raspberries (Other berries can be substituted.)

Method – Easy Chocolate Mousse with Raspberries

1. Combine all ingredients except chocolate and raspberries in medium-sized bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy.
2. Spoon into bowls. Sprinkle with chopped chocolate. Serve fresh raspberries with the mousse.