A FEAST FOR LOVERS

Tonight I am holding a HAND'S ON COUPLE'S VALENTINE'S DINNER COOKING CLASS ~wow that was a mouthful.. I've done couple's classes before and it is always a good time ..with a glass of wine to start the evening off and get everyone relaxed I explain the menu and everyone breaks off to do their thing .. there is plenty of help with Megan my assistant and Clint my husband .. no dish goes unwashed and we are there to lend a helping hand ..

Fun & Laughter accompany chopping cutting ,peeling & sauteing .Tonight's menu is a delicious combination of flavors that I hope everyone will love .. or at least try ~to see if they can love it !

I am starting off with GOAT CHEESE COMBINED WITH HONEY SERVED ON SLICED PEARS OR CROSTINI & then to a WILD MUSHROOM SOUP next a SPINACH SALAD WITH SHAVED FENNEL, BLOOD ORANGES & FETA IN A BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE our main entree is PEPPERCORN~CRUSTED FILET STEAKS WITH GORGONZOLA CREAM SAUCE accompanied by ROASTED RED PEPPER SMASHED POTATOES & ASPARAGUS WITH A DIJON SAUCE~finally for dessert a simple but moist & wonderful OLIVE OIL CAKE TOPPED WITH HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE SAUCE AND VANILLA ICE CREAM.


Here are some recipes :

WILD MUSHROOM SOUP

3 Tb olive oil
3 Tb butter melted
1/2 lb portabella mushrooms , chopped
1/2 lb button mushrooms , chopped
1/2 lb shitake mushrooms , stems cut off & chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup onion chopped
1 leek chopped
2 cloves garlic , minced
2 shallot , chopped
salt ~ pepper to taste
1 tsp dried thyme
1 ~ 40oz can chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (optional but good )

~in oil & butter saute celery , onion , leek, shallot, garlic till golden about 10 minutes or so .. then add mushrooms .. cook till soft & season .. let cool a few mintues then puree in food processor adding broth to help vegetables puree ..return to soup pot and add cream .. warm on low heat ... Wonderful !!

OLIVE OIL CAKE

3 eggs beat well
2 cups of sugar
12 ozs extra virgin olive oil
2 ozs orange juice
1 TB vanilla extract
1 TB lemon extract
10 ozs milk

~combine wet ingredients

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

~combine dry ingredients and mix with egg mixture .. pour into a well greased 10 inch pan & bake @ 350 for about an hour .. serve with ice cream & homemade chocolate sauce

ROASTED RED PEPPER MASHED POTATOES

5 lbs yukon gold potatoes ,peeled , cut into cubes & cooked in salted water until tender~ drain well
1 cup sour cream
1 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
salt ~pepper
2 red peppers roasted , peeled , & pureed ( or a jar of roasted peppers drained )

~combine hot potatoes with butter,sour cream , heavy cream and red peppers . season with salt & pepper(can be reheated)