Spring Dinner For Two
If dating is a performance then restaurants are the stage. There are banquettes to slide into, flattering light to make the most of. Not slumped on the couch slurping lo mein, we’re forced to participated in the slight formality of being in public. In other words, we’re on our best behavior and flirting, to boot.
We are presented with a dizzying array of options which, after selecting, magically appears in front of us 10 minutes later. And then, perhaps most seductive of all, someone appears to cart away the dirty dishes and you two get to breeze out the door.
What’s not a turn-on is ordering a glass of wine that costs as much as a bottle, nibbling mediocre food, and walking away, your pockets $50 lighter, and all you have to show for it is an over-stuffed tummy and the need for a nap.
Last week we talked about happy hour at home. This week we’re celebrating the recession-era dinner date at home. Yes, you will still have to do the dishes. But you can dim the lights, pull out your favorite dishes and the cloth napkins, listen to whatever you like, play Trivial Pursuit while you’re eating, and interrupt your artichoke to sway slowly to Frank Sinatra. There are few things sexier than that. And the dishes can wait until tomorrow.
Steamed Artichokes with Lemon Butter
from How to Cook Everything
Serves 2
2 artichokes
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 lemon
With scissors or a large knife, trim the top 1/2 inch or so from the artichokes. Using a paring knife, peel around the base and cut off the bottom 1/4 inch. Break off the roughest of the exterior leaves.
Place bottom up in a steamer. Cover and cook 20 to 40 minutes. Sample an outer leaf when t pulls away easily and its meat is tender, the artichokes are done.
Drain them upside down for a minute or two longer before serving hot. Serve hot with melted butter mixed with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Sauteed Chicken in Mustard-Cream Sauce
from Everyday Food
Serves 4
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 ounces each)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup dry white wine, or chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream (I used half and half with fine results)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried tarragon (or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh)
Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; saute until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes, turning once. Transfer to a plate; keep warm.
Pour wine into hot skillet; cook, stirring, until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Whisk in cream, mustard, and tarragon. Cook, whisking, until thickened, about 2 minutes.
Pour any accumulated chicken juices into sauce. Right before serving, drizzle cream sauce over chicken. Serve with steamed asparagus.
Cordelia: I love that you’re sharing tips on a successful and elegant recession lifestyle. While date-nights in a restaurant have always been a nice treat, there’s nothing better than a truly intimate setting (and knowing what goes into your food!). So, thanks for that.1 year ago
Lisa (dinner party): Lovely! Love that pretty plate, too. You have so many nice tabletop things.1 year ago
Sara Rose: Ooooooooohhhhhhhhhh yum. One night, I decided to surprise Nolan with a dinner date “in” and apparently that day he had decided to surprise me too, with a big bouquet of hydrangeas! I like homespun romance far better than that of the glitteratti variety.1 year ago
anne: beautiful post! love the idea too!1 year ago
Karen: This sounds delicious — and once again, here here for the stay-at-home dates!1 year ago
Erin: So classy and lovely… Brava!1 year ago
The Dishwasher: there’s nothing about this my fella wouldn’t love….
I feel a date night coming on!
1 year ago
Lisa, I cannot resist kitchenware — that’s usually what I gravitate to at yard sales, flea markets, second hand shops…
Sara Rose, Hydrangeas! How positively dreamy.
PS I didn’t say this explicitly, but that chicken was really good.1 year ago
Dana McCauley: Part of date night for me is not having to cook or clean - I’m just too anal to leave the dishes for the next day!1 year ago
Sara Rose: Nolan has a way with flowers. I love getting flowers. I don’t understand people who don’t love flowers. They were pale green too- I put them in a pink vase!
My mom makes chicken in a mustard-Camembert sauce thats pretty similar to this but probably 3000 more calories.
I may make this Sunday night!1 year ago
Vanessa: After reading this, one thing is clear to me: I must slow dance with my fiance in the kitchen!1 year ago
Vanessa, YES! If I had my way, we’d dance in the kitchen everyday!1 year ago
Sara Rose: Nolan won’t dance with me.
Isn’t that a total bummer? I just want to be danced with by my hubby!1 year ago
Christine: Ah the Chicken in Mustard Cream Sauce from Everyday food is a favorite in my house! I recognized it as soon as I saw the photo!1 year ago
Louisa: I have to say your ideas for a happy hour at home are great! I surprised my boyfriend with a new patio table for his balcony, and cooked up some of your ideas for a romantic evening! He loved it! I enjoy spoiling him! Thanks!1 year ago
Fabie: Thanks so much for posting this, I was feeling like a drag having date night at home…like I needed to be out and doing something daring-now I see the beautiful serenity at home! Mahalo!1 year ago
maggie (p&c): The dishes can TOTALLY wait until tomorrow.
Lovely.1 year ago
domestikate: Date night, restaurant stylee at home is perfect! I like to rearrange the furniture and set the table up like a restaurant, rather than just any other night at home where we plonk down at the table with just our plate and knife and fork, nothing nice like a cloth or flowers or candles!1 year ago
Sheena: What a great idea, you have such an interesting beautiful blog. That red floral plate is beautiful.
P.S. Found you through greeninkgirl.blogspot.com1 year ago
crimekate: Two tips that would make the chicken recipe even more fabulous: (1) saute a finely minced shallot in the pan used to cook the chicken for about 2 minutes before adding the wine; (2) DEFINITELY use fresh tarragon. You and your honey will SWOON. (I make something very similar to this, and it’s divine).
You can also use vermouth in the sauce instead of white wine. It has a slightly different flavor note, but it’s lovely.1 year ago
Dana: I made this last night for my roommate and I. It turned out delicious. It was very easy, but tasted like it took hours to make. I put rice with it and we have leftovers for today. Thank you for the idea!51 weeks ago