Recipes, Recommendations

Valentine’s Day: Last-Minute Dinner To Save Your Date

If you forgot about Valentine’s Day or procrastinated a tad much, don’t worry we got your back! Always to your rescue, this Valentine’s Day DSSC has everything from a gift guide, to a where’s-the-party-at guide, and of course the ever romantic homemade dinner to make your date bite the bait. So, turn up your gourmet […]
By The Lab Mag

If you forgot about Valentine’s Day or procrastinated a tad much, don’t worry we got your back! Always to your rescue, this Valentine’s Day DSSC has everything from a gift guide, to a where’s-the-party-at guide, and of course the ever romantic homemade dinner to make your date bite the bait. So, turn up your gourmet groove and get set to make your SO feel like the special someone they are, because we have a three-course meal that is quick to prep and quick to impress!

 

Cheese Platter

Image: homelife.com.au

Cutting down cooking time and amping up cheeky points, we give you the world’s easiest and most bewitching appetiser in the books – the cheese platter. Get your shopping cart and head out for an expansive trip because we need some Brie, Cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Burrata, marmalade, crackers, grapes, and figs to create some drool-worthy happiness. Present on a wooden block with rosé wine and have your date go nuts.

 

Mushroom & Chicken Linguini

Image: canadianliving.com

We give to you pasta, chicken and a dash of vino – our never-fail trio to get the love flowing! This smashing pasta will leave your date thinking you had it in works long before you actually did, piling up those brownie points. Pair the second course with white wine for a meal mirroring a Shakespearean romance.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Caters To: Two gobblers

Challenge Level: Beginner

From The Pantry:

  • Water as needed
  • Salt to taste
  • 170 grams linguine
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • 10 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 280 grams mushrooms, sliced
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 pieces chicken breast, boneless
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 115 grams cream cheese, softened & diced
  • Parmesan cheese

Cook Away:

  1. In a large pot add water to ¾  level, salt and linguine. Cook till al dente & strain.
  2. In a separate pan, add butter and thyme over medium heat.
  3. Reduce heat to low and add sliced mushrooms. Stir to coat in butter and allow these to cook for 15 minutes, until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
  4. Once cooked, remove mushrooms from the pan, leaving behind butter & thyme. Reserve in a bowl for later use.
  5. Rub salt & pepper on both sides of the chicken breast.
  6. Add oil to the pan and turn heat to medium-high. Sear the chicken breast from both sides and add the cooked mushrooms. Allow the chicken to cook through and develop a good crust on the outside.
  7. Once cooked, turn the heat to low and deglaze the pan with wine.
  8. Allow the wine to cook, scraping the pan to incorporate all brown bits from the chicken & mushrooms.
  9. Once the wine is cooked, remove from heat. Leaving mushrooms, thyme and chicken, strain out the hot wine.
  10. In a fresh bowl add cream cheese and pour in hot wine. Whisk together to combine.
  11. Toss together with linguine to coat completely.
  12. Add mushrooms to the spaghetti and toss together.
  13. Slice the chicken breast in required size.
  14. Serve the spaghetti rolled in the centre of the bowl, garnished with parmesan cheese and chicken on the side.

Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves, and savour your very own Lady and the Tramp moment!

Stevie’s Tip: If not eating it right off the stove,  reheat by adding the prepared dish in a pan with some wine but make sure you cook it through; don’t want to get tipsy do you?

 

Individual Strawberry Trifle

Image: foodnetwork.com

How can we go without a strawberry dessert on Valentine’s Day! Our beloved berries come around the perfect time for V-Day celebration and we intend to use them in their full glory. An easy to make trifle is just what you need for the perfect finish to a romantic dinner, and DSSC has just the recipe for it.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Caters To: Two gobblers

Challenge Level: Beginner

From The Pantry:

  • 950 grams strawberries
  • 1/3 cup aged balsamic vinegar
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 store-bought pound cake
  • 1/3 cup amaretto liqueur
  • 50 grams dark chocolate, shaved
  • 2 amaretto cookies

Cook Away:

  1. In a large bowl, add strawberries and balsamic vinegar. Allow them to marinate for 15-20 minutes.
  2. In a separate bowl add heavy cream and whisk until soft peaks are formed. Pour in vanilla extract and sugar. Whisk till stiff peaks are formed and the bowl can be inverted upside down without the cream pouring out.
  3. Slice the store-bought pound cake in four 1/2 inch thick slices of desired shapes.
  4. In a glass/bowl of choice add whisked cream at the bottom, layer with a slice of cake, brush with amaretto liqueur and top with 2 tablespoons of marinated strawberries. Repeat the process again to create a glass full of trifle.
  5. Garnish generously with shaved dark chocolate.

Serve with a side of amaretto cookies and end the night with a bang.

Now you have all the ingredients for a romantic Valentine’s night, so gear up, you have someone to surprise!

Featured Image Courtesy: relish.com

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