Dinner for two, please!

It’s Friday evening, the long week is over and now its time to relax. But where to begin? The kids are acting like a couple of wild March hares and you know any minute dear hubby will be coming through the door looking as if he’s gone 5 rounds with Mike Tyson. As for you, well the old “Calgon take me away” commercial comes to mind as a means to escape. But…we all know that’s not gonna happen so let’s face reality, and as my grandma used to say, “Grab the bull by the horns.”

So let’s start nice and simple. Dinner, followed by peace and quiet and if you’re lucky a little romance thrown in to help start the weekend off right.

Don’t forget this simple rule: Keep it simple!

Easy recipes make meal time more enjoyable because let’s face it, after working all week, juggling kids, work schedules and laundry who really wants to slave over a hot stove? No one!

McDonald’s is worth its weight in gold if you want some alone time with hubby. So grab the kiddies their favorite meal from said fast food joint, let them eat while you throw the salad together and the potatoes in the oven. Once they're done eating, pop in the kids’ favorite movie so that you and your hubby can enjoy a great, light meal together and wind down from a busy week.

All that stated, I'd like to share a couple of simple, easy, cheap dinner recipes for a nice salad and a tasty baked potato that I think you and your husband will enjoy while the kids watch Hannah Montana or Ben Ten or whatever else those munchkins like!

Enjoy!

Mixed Salad Greens with Raspberries and Pears

Romaine Lettuce
Fresh Raspberries
Fresh Pear, diced
Feta cheese
Sunflower seeds

Raspberry Vinaigrette:
· 1/3 cup canola oil
2.5 TBSP raspberry vinegar
.5 tsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste
finely chopped shallot

Combine all ingredients and pour over salad when ready to serve.


Baked Potato with caramelized onions and mushrooms

2 large russet potatoes washed and pricked with a fork
1 TBSP. Olive oil
2 TBSP. Butter
1 medium onion, sliced
1 handful sliced button mushrooms
butter – for topping
salt & pepper
sour cream
chopped chives
pre-packaged cooked chicken breast strips

Heat oven to 400 degrees and bake potatoes until tender about 1 hour. In the meantime sauté the onions and mushrooms in the olive oil and butter. Once veggies are soft and caramelized set aside until potatoes are done.

After the potatoes are baked and ready, top with the veggies and your favorite toppings. I personally don’t like chicken on my potato but my husband can not live on veggies alone, the poor dude needs a little meat in his diet.

Remember to set the table with candles, your nice dinner plates and let soft music help you set the mood for a great night.

Best wishes & many blessings, Amy