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Engagement 101 - Special Features
How to Keep the Honeymoon Going
By Jacques Haeringer
Love in the Afternoon
Dining outside on a clear warm afternoon or evening is the perfect scene for a romantic meal. Eating alfresco lends a festive air to an afternoon delight. Perhaps the two of you are heading to a romantic destination and you want to make it memorable. Perhaps you are planning a romantic afternoon escape up the coast, the park around the corner, or a picnic supper. Whatever the setting, enjoy it and make love in the afternoon.
To enhance the experience add a bit of music, something soft and romantic playing in the background will set the mood. Bring along your favorite wine or champagne, or if you must drive, try some sparkling apple cider. And for the poet in your soul, reading something romantic to your significant other can be a turn on.
Here is a light and easy to prepare sandwich perfect for your afternoon getaway.
Basque Chicken Sandwich
Serves 4
Rosemary Dressing:
- I garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh minced rosemary
- 1/2 cup quality mayonnaise
Sandwich:
- 4 large whole wheat rolls
- 8 thin slices goat cheese (where available or use Mozzarella)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup roasted red bell peppers
- freshly ground black pepper
To Make the Dressing: Place all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasonings.
To Assemble the Sandwiches: Cut the rolls in half horizontally. Hollow out a bit of the top half. Spread the dressing over the inside of the top and
bottom. Layer the spinach, cheese, chicken, and peppers on the bottom.
Sprinkle with pepper. Cover with the top. Wrap with plastic and refrigerate before serving.
After Midnight
You have just returned home from an evening at the theater or dancing. A little something is needed before bedtime to set the mood. One dish, perhaps served in front of the fire, or by candlelight in bed might just be perfect to make the end of the evening more romantic. Remember, the right finishing touch can make the night last forever!
Champagne Sorbet
- ½ cup water
- 2/3 teaspoon gelatin
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 cup evaporated can juice or sugar
- ½ bottle of champagne
Combine the water and gelatin. Allow 5 minutes for the gelatin to soften. Add the other ingredients, except the champagne, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool and infuse for 1 hour. Add champagne and freeze according to the instructions for your ice cream freezer.
Serve with berries soaked in champagne and garnish with mint leaves.
Hint: If you do not have an ice cream freezer you may use a food processor to make the sorbet. Place all the ingredients in the processor and mix well. Freeze it. Remove from the freezer and process it again. Return to the freezer.
Serve the sorbet by scooping into a champagne glass and pouring champagne into the glass. Voilą.
Meet Chef Jacques Haeringer in person on Sunday, September 15 at the Weddings Styles Bridal Show at the Hyatt Regency. Jacques will show you How to Keep the Honeymoon Going as he cooks some of his romantic meals for two. Jacques will also be on hand to autograph his best selling cookbook, Two for Tonight, which is all about intimate meals for two. Visit www.weddingstylesshow.com for more information and cooking demonstration times. You can visit Jacques at his website, www.ChefJacques.com.
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