It’s that time of the year again, when stores fill with flowers and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. Restaurant reservations go like the last Elsa doll on the shelf at Christmas. It can be a scary time. But never fear, I’ve come up with a fairly simple menu to impress this Valentine’s day.

Chicken Cordon Bleu with roasted vegetables and sauteed mushrooms

Chicken Cordon Bleu

hardware

• oven
• knife
• saran wrap
• meat tenderizer
• baking pan
• toothpicks

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 slices swiss cheese
• prosciutto di parma ( or two slices of ham)
• 1/8 cup flour
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Place chicken between two pieces of saran wrap and pound to 1/4 inch thickness
3. Remove top layer of saran wrap and place one slice of cheese and one slice of prosciutto on flattened chicken
4. Roll chicken breast into a roulade and stick toothpicks to hold meat in place
5. Place flour, beaten egg and panko in separate bowls. Dip chicken in flour then egg and the coat with panko breadcrumbs
6. Lightly drizzle pan with olive oil and place breaded chicken in oven
7. Bake for 20 minutes

Cut and serve

Roasted Vegetables

Hardware

• knife
• vegetable peeler
• roasting pan

Ingredients

• 1 red onion
• 1 carrot
• 1/2 head of cauliflower
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• salt and black pepper to taste

1. Heat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Peel and quarter the red onion
3. Peel carrot and cut into sticks about 1/4 inch in thickness
4. Cut cauliflower into bite sized pieces
5. Put all vegetables and the garlic into the baking pan and drizzle with olive oil
6. Season with salt and pepper
7. Roast for twenty minutes or until vegetables take on a golden color
8. Serve

Sauteed mushrooms

Hardware

• knife
• saute pan

Ingredients

• 1/2 carton white mushrooms
• 1/2 carton button mushrooms
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 Tbsp butter

1. Slice mushrooms
2. Mince garlic
3. Toss into a pan with butter
4. Take off heat when browned to satisfaction

Hope this helps all you aspiring Valentines cooks! Happy Valentines Day!