Anyone who has tried making reservations for Valentine’s Day knows that without advance planning, you may have no plan. This year, with Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday, more lovebirds will likely hit the restaurants. So why not avoid the crowds and make a cozy dinner at home? Here are recipes sweet enough for that special day.
Panzanella Salad
1/2 bunch kale, cleaned and roughly chopped
1/2 bunch red chard, cleaned and roughly chopped
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
4 cups day-old ciabatta bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
5 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil and place greens on it. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and gently toss. Top greens with another piece of foil and seal shut. Roast until tender, about 20 minutes.
In large bowl, place bread cubes, sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, remaining oil, salt and pepper. Gently toss. Add roasted vegetables; toss to combine. Serves 4.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 325 calories, 18 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 2.5 mg cholesterol, 650 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 7 g protein
Chicken with Prosciutto and Tomatoes Over Polenta
4 (6-ounce) bone-in chicken thighs, skinned
1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups water
1 cup tomatoes, seeded, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup prosciutto or shaved ham, cut into thin strips
Sage sprigs (optional)
Sprinkle chicken with sage, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.
Place flour in shallow dish and dredge chicken in flour.
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 minutes on each side. Add chicken broth; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until juices run clear.
In microwavable 1-quart casserole, place the cornmeal and remaining salt. Gradually add water, stirring until blended. Cover. Microwave on high 12 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
Remove chicken from pan. Add tomatoes to pan; cook 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice and prosciutto.
Spoon polenta onto plates and top with chicken. Serve with sauce. Garnish with sage sprigs if using. Serves 2.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 600 calories, 15 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 180 mg cholesterol, 1,100 mg sodium, 70 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 46 g protein
Strawberry Tiramisu
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries, divided
8 tablespoons powdered sugar, divided
1 cup mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream, divided
18 ladyfingers
1/3 cup chilled espresso
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
In blender, place 2 cups strawberries and 2 tablespoons sugar; blend to puree; set aside.
In medium bowl, combine mascarpone cheese, 1/4 cup cream and 4 tablespoons sugar; beat with electric mixer on medium-high speed for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes until thickened.
Place 6 ladyfingers on serving plate and brush each with about 1 teaspoon cold espresso. Spread 1/2 of cheese mixture over ladyfingers, and layer with half of strawberry slices. Repeat another layer, then top with remaining 6 ladyfingers.
In a small mixing bowl, beat remaining cream and sugar with electric mixer on medium-high speed until just whipped, about 1 minute.
Spread cream evenly over top layer of ladyfingers. Dust with cocoa.
Pour strawberry puree onto 4 serving plates. Cut tiramisu in quarters and place onto puree. Serves 4.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 825 calories, 68 g fat, 37 g saturated fat, 278 mg cholesterol, 140 mg sodium, 48 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 19 g sugar, 14 g protein
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More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at www.hawaiianelectric.com.