Valentine's Day Dinner

No photos today, since I decided this blog would be a fun thing to try AFTER we'd dissected the heart-shaped plum galette. But, I'll go ahead and list the simple Valentine's day meal we ate nonetheless.

Order of bidness...Marinate the chicken earlier in the day. About 2 hrs before dinner, make the galette then set aside to cool. With oven still at 400, start baking the squash. When done with initial baking, set aside on baking sheet. Pop the chicken in and while that's cooking, prep and grill your veggies. When the chicken comes out and rests, turn on the broiler and finish off your squash. Everything will be done about the same time.

Scottie's favorite Cardamom Roasted Chicken Thighs:

4 cloves garlic, smashed whole cloves
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 TBS honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (I grind the pods in a spice grinder so it’s nice and fresh)
1 package boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Place the garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey and cardamom in a resealable plastic bag. Place chicken thighs (I trim off as much fat as I can first) in the bag, and squeeze to coat. Press out most of the air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 hours.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the marinade, and discard the marinade. Place chicken on a broiling pan or baking sheet (lined with aluminum foil). Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

3. Roast in the oven for ~30-35 minutes, or until chicken is browned and a thermometer registers 180.


Baked acorn squash with butter and brown sugar:

Acorn squash (1 for 2 people, or more as needed)
brown sugar
butter
salt

Pre-heat oven to 400
Cut squash in half, scoop out seeds and place cut side down in a casserole with 1/4 " water.
Bake for ~35 min or until soft. Remove from water and place on a foil lined baking sheet, cut side up this time. Sprinkle with salt, add a pat of butter, and sprinkle brown sugar inside and around cut egdes. Broil on high for ~5 min.

Grilled zucchini and red peppers:

2 Zucchinis (for 2 people), sliced lengthwise about 1/8-1/4" thick.
1/2 large red pepper sliced ~1" thick
lightly oil with olive oil, and sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

I cook ours in a stove top grill pan til done with nice grill marks on both sides.


Heart-shaped plum galette (can serve 4)

1 prepared pie crust
almond meal
sugar
flour (I used spelt flour)
butter
~4-5 plums, sliced about 1/2 inch or thinner
whipping cream; made with agave nectar, vanilla and a touch of amaretto. (or however you like your whipped cream)

This by no means has to be heart-shaped, but it was perfect for Valentine's Day.
Pre-heat oven to 400.
Unroll the pie dough onto a sheet pan lined with parchment. Mix ~2Tb. almond meal, 2 Tbs. flour, and a 2 Tbs. of sugar together, then sprinkle onto the opened pie dough. I think I only used about 1/2 of this mixture though. Just use as much as you think you need. I sprinkled it on in a heart shape, so I'd know where to lay the plums. Artfully, lay out the sliced plums on the dough leaving about a 1 inch border of dough, then sprinkle with more sugar. I think I went a little light on the sugar...don't get me wrong, it was super yummy anyway, but I think I'd use a little more next time. Fold the 1" border of dough over the plums. I pleated mine. Then pop in the oven for about 40 minutes.