Not going anywhere tonight? Join the club! Never fear, hope is near! It doesn’t take a lot to make the evening super without even leaving the driveway. I know my night is going to be great. My hair dresser told me today that I look like Jennifer Garner after I whined about finding my first grey hairs. (Clearly the woman needs her eyes examined at her earliest convenience). But since I apparently should be expecting Ben Affleck to be home at 6:30 for dinner, I better hang up my house dress, unruffle my feathers, and get cracking. It’s Valentine’s Day after all!
My answer to gourmet cooking at home is Ina Garten and her fabulous Barefoot Contessa cookbooks.
If you don’t own them, you are missing the boat. Not only are her recipes easy, they are delicious. She will tell you on every page how you must use real butter and good olive oil. Stop counting the calories and just go with it. You won’t be disappointed. Here’s what I am making tonight:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/indonesian-grilled-swordfish-recipe/index.html
Yum! This swordfish is amazing. I’m also making potatoes and debating between zucchini and brussels sprouts. Don’t knock the sprouts until you try them as they are absolutely delicious. Blanch them first, slice, toss with olive oil and salt, then roast them at 425 for 20-25 minutes or so. Check on them every 8-10 minutes or so and move them around a bit.
All this, some music, a nice bottle of wine, and we will be good to go. As for Ben Affleck, I’ve got bigger fish to fry.