Celebrate Valentine’s Day with champagne and kisses
An evening out is a nice way to spend Valentine’s Day, but it might not be quiet or intimate. Staying in and creating something in the kitchen turns Valentine’s Day into a romantic evening—especially if you and your Valentine make the meal together.
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For best results, use a good quality champagne. A 750-ml bottle provides enough champagne for this recipe and a couple of glasses to drink with dinner.
Champagne Shrimp and Pasta
8 ounces uncooked bow tie pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1-1/2 cups champagne
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced onion
2 plum tomatoes, diced
3/4 cup heavy cream
Black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir until tender. Remove mushrooms from pan, and set aside. Add shrimp, champagne, and salt; cook until liquid begins to boil, then remove shrimp from skillet. Add garlic, onion and tomatoes to champagne mixture; boil until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 8 minutes. Stir in cream; cook until slightly thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add shrimp and mushrooms to sauce and heat through. To serve, spoon shrimp with sauce over pasta, and top with parsley and Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 servings.
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Double Chocolate Kiss Cookies
1-1/4 cups butter or margarine
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
54 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped
1/3 cup granulated sugar for rolling
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture. Roll dough into 1-inch balls then roll in sugar. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place chocolate kiss in the center of each cookie while still hot. Makes 54 cookies.
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Pantry Pointers
When it comes to Valentine’s Day dinner, don’t feel limited to the dining room table. Try setting up a small table near a window with a view, in front of a fireplace, or in a cozy corner. If setting up a table isn’t possible, try serving champagne in a romantic spot before dinner.
The Practical Pantry ©2005 Tammy P. Olson
http://www.practicalpantry.com
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