Whether with a loved one or alone, keep in mind these kind words ~ “Age does not protect you from love. But, to some extent, love protects you from age.” Anais Nin
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” Leo Tzu (a contemporary Chinese artist living in Zhengzhou, Henan Province)
So, knowing you have love in your heart for someone special, think of yourself as ageless and courageous. Treat yourself to something very indulgent on Valentine’s Day and if you are cozying in with your loved one, this is a delicious dish to share with each other.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Ingredients:
- 1 (10-ounce) Italian cheese-flavored thin pizza crust* (or you can make your own fresh pizza crust)
- 3/4 cup tomato salsa
- ½ cup diced jalapenos (omit if you don’t want to have too spicy)
- 2 cups cubed roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts)
- 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes seasoned with oregano, garlic and basil
- 1 cup shredded extra-sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450°.
- Place crust on a baking sheet. Bake at 450° for 5 minutes or until edges are slightly brown. Remove from oven; spread salsa over crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
- Spread chicken evenly over salsa.. Sprinkle diced tomatoes and green onions evenly over chicken. Top with shredded cheese. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Cut pizza into six wedges or into smaller wedges for an appetizer or snack. Serve immediately.
*Pizza Crust Al Forno
Ingredients:
- 2 Tsp. olive oil
- 2 Tsp. cornmeal
- 1 pkg. dry yeast
- 1 Tsp. sugar
- ½ cup plus 2 Tbsp. flour
¾ Tsp. salt
Directions:
- Rub 1 Tsp. oil over two 9” or one 14” pan. Sprinkle with cornmeal.
- Stir yeast and sugar into warm water. Stir until foamy.
- Combine flour, salt and rest of oil in Cuisinart. Pour yeast through tube and work until bowl is clean. I f dough sticks, add Tbsp. flour. If crumbly add water.
- Process about 40 seconds. Dough does not need to rise.
- Roll immediately on heavily floured board, rotating dough.
- Remove excess dough with soft brush. Fold in half, then quarters.
- Place at center of pan, unfold and lightly press – leave ½” rim.
- Bake at 425º for five minutes.
- Cool. Add ingredients and bake at 425º until brown – about 15 minutes
(This recipe is courtesy of George Germon, Chef/Owner of Al Forno in Providence, RI)
A fun look inside the lives of two chefs on Valentine’s Day: Deb Pellegrino, Pastry Chef at Harrah’s, Showboat and Bally’s Atlantic City and the 2011 Food Network Chocolate Challenge Champion, makes her dough early in the day and lets it rise all day. It becomes a nice puffy pizza crust. She says that she and her husband, Mark (Executive Chef at Carmine’s on the Plaza) at Tropicana, both have Valentine’s Day off this year and she will make the pizza for their happy hour. Mark will cook for her (which he usually does anyway!). He’ll make whatever she wants, which will probably be Carmine’s Lemon Chicken lemon, one of her favorites - chicken breast sautéed with capers, garlic, white wine shallots served with pasta on the side and a nice loaf of crusty bread. She says it may not be too exciting, but she likes simple meals with really fresh ingredients.
Enjoy your cozy night at home for two by starting with a romantic sparkling cocktail created by cava specialists at Segura Viudas, part of The Freixenet Group.
SeguraPomegranate Fizz
2 oz Pomegranate juice
1 oz Vodka
3 oz Segura Viudas Extra Dry
Pour the juice and vodka into a shaker with ice; shake, then strain into a chilled flute glass. Fill the flute with chilled sparkling wine and garnish with a lime twist.
Salud, Bon Appétit and Happy Valentine’s Day!
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For the latest food and restaurant news and seasonal recipes, visit me at Shore Region Restaurant Examiner and TastefuLiving.net.
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