Getting Hot in the Kitchen - Patrick's Birthday

After 8 years and 3 kids, it's important to keep the love alive and not fall into the hum drum of married with children.  So instead of the usual birthday dinner, we decided to get hot in the kitchen. Get your heads out of the gutter, we took a cooking class!

On the menu was Braised Chicken with Caramelized onions and peppers.  Patrick is searing our chicken!  Then you add the rice, and stew it with tomatoes.  The dish is topped with fresh basil and huge chunks of cheesy Parmesan.

Our side was a Spinach salad with heirloom tomatoes and shallots.  Patrick really enjoyed making his own vinaigrette: one part vinegar, two parts olive oil and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard.  And a little sugar and fresh ground pepper.   For dessert, I whip up a chocolate mousse with macerated (fancy term for add sugar and white wine) strawberries.

And voila!  You have your finished dish to enjoy!

We bought a bottle of their wine and had a great dinner for part 1.

Part 2 dinner was on his real birthday, Tuesday, where the kids got to celebrate their daddy.  On that menu was grilled lamb chops, sauteed spinach and um..Pillsbury crescent rolls.  C'mon, I'm a lot of things, but a baker I am not. 

 

To prove my point, You can ask Patrick later how I totally messed up the boiled spoiled spice cake.

We did a lot of good eating.  To the most adoring husband and loving father I know.  Happy Birthday Patrick.  I thank God for you.