Holidays and Special Occasions - Just for the Two of You
Holidays and special occasions are the time to pull out all the stops, but too often recipes for events like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or 50th wedding anniversaries are geared toward crowds. Don't let the fact there are only two of you interfere with your celebration, these holiday and special occasion recipes are festive, delicious, intimate and perfect for a couple.
A Flagging 4th of July
For most of us, the 4th of July means grilling or barbequing. My favorite is barbequeing (slow smoking) ribs but I've also been known to fire-roast Cornish game hens, grill steaks or kebabs, and smoke a whole salmon.
For most of us, the 4th of July means grilling or barbequing. My favorite is barbequeing (slow smoking) ribs but I've also been known to fire-roast Cornish game hens, grill steaks or kebabs, and smoke a whole salmon.
Picking Nics
Above all, a picnic should not be ordinary, nor should it be an effort - at least not during the picnic itself. A little advance planning and work goes a long way toward keeping the picnic itself more joy than job but even a spur-of-the-moment picnic can be pure pleasure if you're prepared.
Above all, a picnic should not be ordinary, nor should it be an effort - at least not during the picnic itself. A little advance planning and work goes a long way toward keeping the picnic itself more joy than job but even a spur-of-the-moment picnic can be pure pleasure if you're prepared.
Happy Anniversary: Celebrate Your day
Anniversaries are the ultimate couple's meal, even more so than Valentine's Day because it commemorates not only your love but your history. To me, this is the time to pull out all the stops.
Anniversaries are the ultimate couple's meal, even more so than Valentine's Day because it commemorates not only your love but your history. To me, this is the time to pull out all the stops.
Beef Wellington: Elegant, Easy, Exceptional
This recipe for individual Beef Wellingtons looks like a million dollars and tastes like heaven. It's also surprisingly easy to make, albeit time-consuming, but can easily be completely prepped a day in advance. Serves 2.
This recipe for individual Beef Wellingtons looks like a million dollars and tastes like heaven. It's also surprisingly easy to make, albeit time-consuming, but can easily be completely prepped a day in advance. Serves 2.
An Italian Easter Feast for Two
This Italian Easter Feast isn't completely traditional nor completely Roman, but it is mostly both of those. None of it requires a lot of effort and the flavors match delightfully. Double or triple the recipes and you have a great dinner party. Serves 2.
This Italian Easter Feast isn't completely traditional nor completely Roman, but it is mostly both of those. None of it requires a lot of effort and the flavors match delightfully. Double or triple the recipes and you have a great dinner party. Serves 2.
Valentine's Day Menu for Two
Popular with lovers of all ages, there is no other holiday so suitable for a couple unencumbered with children. This menu is as intimate as it gets.
Popular with lovers of all ages, there is no other holiday so suitable for a couple unencumbered with children. This menu is as intimate as it gets.
Curried Shrimp in Puff Pastry
Curried shrimp is a quick, easy, and even elegant main dish suitable for a special occasion.
Curried shrimp is a quick, easy, and even elegant main dish suitable for a special occasion.
Rack of Lamb with Horseradish
Perhaps the most perfectly elegant meal for two, rack of lamb usually has six ribs (three each) guarding that most tender of any cut of meat, the tenderloin.
Perhaps the most perfectly elegant meal for two, rack of lamb usually has six ribs (three each) guarding that most tender of any cut of meat, the tenderloin.
Pork Medallions with Apple Cream Sauce
Medallions of pork tenderloin are quickly sautéed. Then a pan sauce is made combining apples, cream, and Calvados, a French apple brandy. This is easy enough for a weeknight meal, but worth saving for a special occasion. Serves 2.
Medallions of pork tenderloin are quickly sautéed. Then a pan sauce is made combining apples, cream, and Calvados, a French apple brandy. This is easy enough for a weeknight meal, but worth saving for a special occasion. Serves 2.
Blood Orange Pots de Creme
Pots de Crème are deliciously rich and decadent desserts. This version based on blood oranges and has a beautiful Valentine's Day pink hue.
Pots de Crème are deliciously rich and decadent desserts. This version based on blood oranges and has a beautiful Valentine's Day pink hue.