Anniversary Dinner and Product Reviews

Tomorrow marks our three-year anniversary (yay).... tomorrow is also the longest day of the week and I won't get out of class till 9 pm (nay...)

So, I resolved to make an anniversary dinner tonight as a gift to my fiancee.

First, came the appetizers:

THE CHEESE PLATTER:

Assorted "Entertainment Crackers" ( Whole Foods 365)

White Aged Cheddar

Brie

Triple Cream

CAPRESE

THE MAIN COURSE:

Sweet Potato Crisp

Brussel Sprouts ( Cooked in 1/2 tsp butter, 1/8 cup chicken broth)

Pan Roasted Chicken with Rosemary, Orange Glaze

Chicken with Rosemary Orange Glaze

2 Organic Chicken Breast, ( Bone-in)

1/3 cup Orange Juice

1/3 cup Chicken Broth

5 cloves garlic

1 tbsp ginger

3 sprigs fresh rosemary

1/2 Spanish onion

1 tsp olive oil

Warm the olive oil then place the chicken skin side down and let it brown for a few minutes. Meanwhile chop the onion set aside.

In a separate bowl combine the orange juice, chicken broth, minced garlic and minced ginger ( salt and pepper to taste)

After the chicken as browned for a few minutes, flip it over to skin side up, add the onion and let it cook for 4-5 minutes covered. Then add the orange broth infusion and the rosemary. Let it come to a boil then reduce to a simmer.  After 30 minutes, flip the chicken so that it is skin side down again, and cook for another 30 minutes.

Finally, take off the cover to let the remaining liquid evaporate and thicken into a glaze.

=

 HOME MADE APPLE CRISP A-LA-MODE

Makes 4 servings:

4 small granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1/4 cup raw sugar

1 tbsp flour

1/2 tsp cinammon

1/8 tsp ground clove

1/8 tsp ground cardamon

1 tsp water

TOPPING:

1/2 cup rolled oats

5 tbsp flour

2 tsp butter, melted

1/8 cup raw sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine the ingredients of the filling together and place in a loaf pan.

Melt the butter in a microwave, ad the remaining incredients and mix until it begins to clump up in little chunks. Place on top of the apples

Cook in @ 370 degrees for 40 minutes.

PRODUCT REVIEW:  Blue Diamond  Natural Pecan Nut-Thins

SHORT AND BRIEF: When I first saw it, it sounded very good and I began imagining what it would taste like.

Reality:  tiny crispy crisps with little flavor, doused with too much salt as an afterthought. The salt is literally visible!!.. I  did not like it much.  I think Blue Diamond should try putting the flavor and the salt in the cracker itself.