Valentine's Meal for One

      Happy Valentine's Day to You!

Here's a menu you can make just for you with great leftovers. I've posted it before, but it's worth cooking again! This post features big double lamb chops that are grilled first and then finished in the oven;  a piquant tapenade tops them at the table.  Meantime, you'll oven-roast large, whole carrots laced with ground cumin.  There's a make-ahead green bean salad you'll fix again and again and I also give suggestions for wine and tiny, light desserts.  Don't want leftovers?  Cut the amounts in half for a one-time dinner.  Don't want to eat alone?  Invite a friend or neighbor; there's plenty. 

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Start with a beautiful sparkler that needn't cost much.  I heartily recommend a New Mexico sparkling wine such as  Gruet rather than splurging on French champagne.  Despite all, I've found sparklers do keep a day two. Or, if you'd like, choose a half-bottle of a very special sparkling wine from the wine shop.  Add some of the tapenade with baguette or crackers or a bowl of great potato chips--my favorite sparkler pairing.  Stay away from cheese; fresh vegetables would work wonderfully.  Just stick with something light; lamb is loving, but filling.

If you're cooking for just you, open the wine, turn on the music, set the table, and enjoy a beautiful night.  Afterward, get out that novel you've been meaning to read and take it to bed with you along with the last glass of wine or put on a great movie you've been saving.  You could write letters or cards to a few people you adore; make yourself post them in the morning.   Whatever you do,  have fun cooking and taking care of yourself!

Light and Lusty Tomato Soup for Right Now!

Done in under a half hour, this lusty (I almost said perky, but perky it isn't) soup just about jumped out of the pot, put its arms around me, and begged me to eat it.  Wonderful for the I-ate-too-many-chocolates post-holiday cooking time,  you can skip the fresh basil, if you still haven't gotten to the store, and add Herbes de Provence or a combination of dried oregano and basil.  Easily vegan and gluten-free (without some of the garnishes), this meal will heat everyone up despite the weather.  It's sunny, but snowy ...

I'm not eating bread at lunch today, but this would be awesome with a baguette broiled with olive oil, grated Parmesan, and lots of black pepper.   Or, naturally, with the proverbial grilled cheese sandwich. Here's how:

Stir in a little plain yogurt at the table for a "Cream of  Tomato Soup" version.

light and lusty tomato soup  serves 4 

• 1 small yellow onion, quartered
• 2 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 carrot, cut into 2-inch pieces 
• 1/2 fennel bulb, sliced (use a little more celery if you have no fennel)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Generous pinch each:  crushed red pepper and Herbes de Provence (see above for substitutions)
• 4 whole garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup dry white wine*
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon honey          

1. Place onion, celery, carrot, and fennel in food processor fitted with the steel blade.  Process, pulsing, until vegetables are diced.  (Or dice by hand.)
2.  Heat a 6-quart heavy pot over medium low heat with the olive oil, pepper, and Herbes for a minute or until fragrant.  Add the whole garlic cloves and cook for a minute or until golden; turn and let cook another few seconds before adding the vegetables from the food processor.
3. Stir in the fresh basil leaves, kosher salt, black pepper.  Cook for five minutes, stirring, until vegetables are beginning to soften.
4. Pour in water, wine, broth, and tomatoes.  Stir in honey.  Bring to a boil.  
5. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes or so until all vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
6. Taste and adjust seasonings.  Puree using an immersion blender, in batches in the food processor or blender, or mash with a potato masher.  Alternatively, eat as is.
7. Serve hot garnished with one of the following: chopped fresh basil, croutons, or chopped pistachios for vegan version.  Grated Parmesan cheese or a spoon of plain Greek yogurt for Gluten-Free version.  If you're ok any way at all, choose what you'd like, though just the Parmesan and a little fresh basil are perfectly perfect.  

*Replace the wine with water if need be.

Simple pictures are best: 

Have fun cooking and taking care of yourself as you clean up your eating act,
Alyce
(published earlier and happily on this blog)