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

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!