To start off, let me be clear: I don’t consider the ability to cook skillfully a prerequisite to romance. However, in my experience, there is nothing much more romantic than spending the night in the kitchen with your sweetheart.
The results of cooking in the kitchen can be an incredibly intimate experience for three reasons: first is simply the dedication and willingness to time and effort. Second is learning together. What pan should be used? What does purée mean? Which knife should be used? Lastly is communication. You’re in a kitchen, you’re working together: the situation requires communication, which we all know is key to a loving and successful relationship.
So enjoy these experiences to share with that special someone. Here is a recipe to help out on your next date night.
Date Night Gnocchi
Recipe from Pass Me Some Tasty
“Date Night Gnocchi – a simple 30-minute dish featuring chicken, butternut squash, and kale combined in a creamy alfredo sauce and topped with grated parmesan cheese.”
It takes 30 minutes to make and serves four to six.
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts
2 cups butternut squash
1 garlic clove, large
1 1/2 cups kale, loosely packed
2 (12 oz.) packages potato gnocchi, gluten free
1 tablespoon all purpose seasoning mix
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoon butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and one tablespoon of butter in a large nonstick pan over medium high heat. Add the chicken and sprinkle with the seasoning. Sauté until the chicken is slightly browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Bring a pot of water to boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top of the water (about four minutes). Drain and set aside.
- While the gnocchi is cooking, add the butternut squash, garlic, and one tablespoon of butter to the pan you used for the chicken. Sauté for about eight minutes, just until the squash is fork tender, but not mushy. Add the kale and sauté an additional two to three minutes.
- To finish, add the cream, remaining two tablespoons of butter, and parmesan cheese to the pan with your veggies and stir until the sauce begins to thicken. Once sauce thickens, add the cooked gnocchi and reserved chicken to the pan and toss together for two minutes on medium heat.
- Serve with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Perfect Pairing: Take your date to a romantic fall event.
Story by
Savannah Palmer
opinion@suunews.com
