A Valentine’s Dinner for Those Who Can’t Boil Water
February 1, 2012
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Le Cordon Bleu
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A Valentine’s Dinner for Those Who Can’t Boil Water
So this year you’ve made a commitment to do something different for Valentine’s Day. Every year you and valentine make big plans for a romantic dinner at a fancy restaurant. But, while you love the great food and atmosphere of those restaurants, you want to switch up and create your own ambience at home.
The only problem? You can’t even boil water. That’s right. You’re a zero and not a hero in the kitchen. The idea of you being a member of the food services industry is almost laughable. Don’t worry; that’s where we come in. We’ve put together a simple 3-course Valentine’s Day dinner that anyone can put together. Yes, even you! Just shop on time and follow the recipes and you may one day attend Le Cordon Bleu and enter the food services industry with craft and dedication. If not, at least you’ll have this easy and delicious Valentine’s dinner.
First Course
Seafood Stuffed Avocados
Avocados are consider to be a “food of love” so they are a perfect start to your romantic dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup flaked cooked crabmeat
- 1/2 cup cooked small shrimp
- 2 tablespoons peeled and diced cucumber
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1 pinch paprika
- 1 avocado
Prepartion:
In a bowl, mix the crab, shrimp, cucumber, mayonnaise, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Slice the avocados lengthwise, and remove the pit. Scoop out some of the flesh of the avocado, leaving about 1/2 inch on the peel. Spoon the seafood mixture into the hollowed centers of the avocado halves. Sprinkle the tops with paprika. You can garnish the top with some of the extra avocado.
Second Course
Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
Put this on in the morning and forget about it for the rest of the day. What could be easier?
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 lbs. beef sirloin tip, cut into 1" cubes
- 2 onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1-1/2 cups beef broth
- 8 oz. carton sour cream
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup water
Preparation:
Combine everything except sour cream, flour, and water in a 3-1/2 quart slow cooker. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours (high for 4-5 hours). Remove and discard bay leaf.
Combine sour cream, flour, and water in medium bowl and mix well, using a whisk. Add 1 cup of the hot liquid from the crockpot to the mixture and stir until combined. Return it to the crockpot and stir well. Cover crockpot and cook on high for 20-30 minutes.
Serve over egg noodles or long grain rice.
Third Course
Chocolate Espresso Cups
Finish your easy romantic dinner with this delicate taste of coffee and chocolate.
Ingredients:
- 7 oz bittersweet chocolate (look for 70% cocoa solids)
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons Cognac or brandy (the good stuff)
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons butter
- 1 cup light cream
- 2 espresso cups (1 oz. of espresso each)
Preparation:
Over medium heat, bring the cream to a near boil. Remove and let cool for two minutes. Break apart the chocolate and stir it in slowly and carefully.
When the chocolate has melted completely, beat in the yolks and cognac or brandy with a large fork, and stir until smooth. Let cool for another five minutes or so and incorporate the butter until the texture is creamy and ultra-smooth. Pour the creation into espresso cups.
That’s it. You’ve made it through your first homemade Valentine’s Day dinner, and you didn’t have to attend Le Cordon Bleu to do it. You’d better start planning for next year. You’ve created some pretty high expectations.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu. Le Cordon Bleu offers culinary, pâtisserie and baking, and hospitality and restaurant management training programs across the United States. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu for more information.
Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.chefs.edu/disclosures. Le Cordon Bleu® and the Le Cordon Bleu logo are registered trademarks of Career Education Corporation. Le Cordon Bleu cannot guarantee employment or salary. Credits earned are unlikely to transfer.