Monday, February 13, 2006

Cooking for Sweetheart


I don't have a whole lot of time to blather on about Valentine's Day today so I'll just post what we'll be having tomorrow. I know, how unromantic! Mommyhood comes first though and today is a delay due to snow and that sort of cuts out my usual blogging time. C'est la vie!

No Ready, Set, Cook tomorrow since most of you will be out to dinner or cooking something pre-planned. Tune in next week for our usual game.

Whatever you do, kiss your love (or think of them if you can't do that) and have a wonderful day!

Anne's Red Chicken
Printable Recipe


1 whole chicken 3-5 lbs
1 T salt
1 T paprika
1 t chili powder
1 t ground cumin
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground ginger
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/2 t curry powder
1/4 t ground allspice
2 T sugar
1 T minced onion
3-4 cloves garlic-minced

Mix all spices, garlic and onion together. Rub all over chicken and place in a sealed plastic bag and refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Remove chicken from bag and roast, covered, at 350° for 1 hour.
Uncover and continue roasting for 1/2 hour longer or until well
browned and crispy.

Let rest for 15 minutes before carving.

I serve this whole at the table and we shred it and serve it on freshly made whole wheat tortillas and top with a sauce like Hoisin or ginger/soy.

For Valentine's Day though, you can serve it carved as usual with these side dishes;

Red Baby Bliss potatoes, steamed or roasted with herbs and minced garlic. We like rosemary and thyme.

Whole green beans steamed with lemon and sea salt.

Whole wheat rolls, tucked in at the top to resemble hearts and served with;

Raspberry Butter
Printable Recipe


1/2 c. raspberry preserves (no seeds)
2 T. honey
1 c. butter

Mix all well and chill.

Mound in a pretty dish and let sit at room temperature until soft enough to spread.



You can add a salad if you wish but I think this is enough considering dessert WILL be served on Valentine's Day!

My very favorite chocolate dessert is this one. It's pretty much a flourless chocolate cake except for the baking time, which is what makes it so mousse-like.


Chocolate Mousse Torte
Chocolate Mousse Torte


Chocolate Mousse Torte
Makes One 8-inch cake
Printable Recipe

Melt together:

1 lb semi sweet chocolate - chopped
1/2 cup butter

Allow to cool for 20-30 min.

Blend together:

5 egg yolks
1 Tablespoon  flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon hot water

Add chocolate to egg mixture and blend until smooth.
Beat until stiff:

5 egg whites

Fold egg whites into chocolate/egg yolk mixture.
Do NOT over beat!

Pour into a greased 8-inch springform pan and bake 425 degrees F for 14 min.

Serve right side up.
This will be soft in the center when it comes out of the oven, but will set up as it cools. When done correctly the center is nearly like fudge and the edges are slightly dry.

Dust with powdered sugar or set a dry clean doily (or other piece of open-work) on top of torte and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Remove by pulling straight up. The design left behind is a very pretty effect!

8 comments:

KFarmer said...

I will second the above and say I am glad your Dad is home. Do you think he would still like some emails?

Your menu looks absolutely devine-Looks like I will be going to the grocery again...

and a very Happy Valentines Day! (in advance:)

Anne Coleman said...

novaks--Good girl! can we come over for dinner now? Thanks for your prayers they mean ALOT to all of us!

K-I'm not sure dad is back online at all yet? I will send out a "tester" email today and see. I'm not sure he has the strength to sit at the computer yet.

eyes_only4him said...

i havent even thought about dinner for tommorw yet..but whtaever it is it will be easy cuz why should I have t cook on valenties day??..haha

so you got hammered by snow huh?..you poor thing..i mean i am glad it was you and not me though..teehee;)

Anne Coleman said...

Hey Christina-the snow wasn't too bad here-about 8" I think NYC got the worst of it!

Isn't hubby taking you out?

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh My God! That Chocolate Dessert is PERGECT!!! It sounds absolutely scrumptious!! YUM!

Thanks for stopping by my blog...
With 6 kids how do you even have time to mske such a wonderful sounding special dinner? You are amazing!

cmhl said...

ohhhh, that sounds GREAT. especially the dessert. yummmm.

Peggy said...

Have a great valentines day and the Tuesday cook contest sounds great! Can't wait till next week to give it a try!

Anonymous said...

Excellent article. One tip I have, that my family has been doing for awhile now, with honey is that you try different varieties each time you make the recipe so it never wears out.
Our favorite place to buy honey is from Holy Food Imports