Food
Dinner for Two Makes Any Meal Special Give extra attention to the table setting for an evening treat. by Elaine Slater-Kogler Community contributor Why not have dinners for two more often? Many people wait until their anniversary or Valentine’s Day to plan a dinner for two. However, it doesn’t take much more thought than an every night dinner; just a few extra additions to the table will make it a “dinner for two.” A few accessories added to your table will give it the feel of something special. Add some special place mats, cloth napkins, a candle, some wine or champagne or just use the special occasion glasses with your normal drink in them. Dinner doesn’t have to be fancy; it’s the little extra attention to the table setting and other small details. A hamburger on a plate with cloth napkins would be a little extra special. Start the process by sending your significant other an invitation by email, slip a note in their lunch or leave it on their pillow. Make the invite fun and build some anticipation for the upcoming dinner for two. I’ve given this quite a bit of thought and I plan on making this a more common happening in our house. While my husband won’t be at all surprised since we have dinner for two every night, he might be surprised with the china instead of a paper plate! Don’t wait until Valentine’s Day or you next anniversary to plan a special dinner. Start enjoying dinners for two now.
Photo courtesy of Elaine Slater-Kogler
All About Flavor Elaine Slater-Kogler is owner of Infused!, a specialty food store at 37 Fennell St. in Skaneateles. In business since 2005, Elaine said Infused! is all about flavor as well as listening to the customers. Contact Elaine at elaine@infused.com.
Almond Crusted Salmon
Garlic-Almond Beans
Spice your meal up with black bean soy.
This dish delivers some crunch.
Do you love to experiment with coatings and crusting on food? Here is a new recipe for you to try: One piece of salmon (enough for two) 1 tbsp. Infused! Harvest Photo courtesy of Elaine Slater-Kogler Herb Olive Oil (or as much as desired) 1 tbsp. Maruso Black Bean Soy (regular or ghost pepper) 1 c. slivered almonds (or as many as desired) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place salmon on parchment paper on a baking sheet; drizzle soy sauce on salmon then drizzle olive oil on salmon. Let the salmon rest for a few minutes allowing the fish to absorb the oil and soy liquids. Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees until almost done (the salmon should begin to look like it is flaking). Take slivered almonds and place them on top of the salmon and finish baking until the almonds are slightly toasted. Take the salmon out of oven and slide onto a serving platter. Consider serving the dish with the garlic and almond green bean recipe.—Elaine Slater-Kogler
Fresh or frozen whole green beans snipped (a bag of frozen or as many fresh beans in a pan for the quantity you are serving – adjust the ingredients as you add beans). Photo courtesy of Elaine Slater-Kogler 2 tbsp. garlic olive oil (or as desired) 2 tbsp. minced garlic (or as desired) 1 tbsp. basil (or as desired) 1 c. slivered almonds Place garlic and part of the oil in the bottom of a pan and bring to a slight sizzle. Add beans and then add the remaining oil, garlic and basil and place a lid on the pan. Reduce heat to low to steam the beans. Stir occasionally until beans are still slightly crunchy. Add slivered almonds to the pan and stir into the beans. Continue to cook on low heat steaming the beans and almonds. The almonds will still be slightly crunchy, but are softened in the steam. At this point, you can turn the heat off to let beans and almonds to continue to steam. Serve with your crusted salmon.—Elaine Slater-Kogler
12 February 2014
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2/20/2014 1:12:55 PM