Valentine Dinner

I was inspired by my sister-in-law AnnaMarie to create a special Valentine dinner for my family ... specifically Steve ;) She posted last week about having made Greek Salad for a family dinner and I knew I had to make it on Valentine's Day. Steve loves it and complains that I only make it when we have to take a salad somewhere, which means he doesn't get as much as he would like and he doesn't get it very often! Another dish that he loves is Chicken and Artichoke Casserole which I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have made since we've been married. So, the menu was set! I couldn't help making individual heart shaped mint brownies, too - figured the kids had to eat SOMETHING and knew the other items on the menu probably wouldn't be all that tempting!! Okay, the brownies were for me .... I decided to post pictures and recipes for you to enjoy ... let me know if you try them! The Greek Salad really is a winner for a potluck :)

Greek Salad

Dressing:
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3/4 C. vegetable oil
4 Tbs. lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, diced

Mix dressing and let stand for 3 hours. Toss with salad just before serving.

Salad:
2 head Romaine (I prefer hearts)
croutons (if desired)
1/4 lb. bacon, crumbled
1/4 lb. swiss cheese, grated
1/3 C. parmesan cheese
2/3 C. slivered almonds (toasted, if desired)
sliced mushrooms
avocados
cherry tomatoes, halved (or grape tomatoes)
* measurements for salad toppings are estimates ... I just toss in whatever I have or whatever looks good!

Chicken & Artichoke Casserole
*please note this dish is not terribly photogenic due to the pale coloring ;) It has WAY more flavor than color - promise!
Assembled Casserole

Sauce

Before Baking

1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 Tbs. butter
1 can (14 oz.) chicken broth
4 chicken breasts (approx. 3 lbs)
1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained
1/4 C. butter
1/4 C. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
3/4 C. light cream (half & half)
1/2 C. parmesan cheese
2 Tbs. sherry (optional)
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed

Saute mushrooms in 2 Tbs. butter until golden brown. Set aside. Put chicken breasts in simmering chicken broth in a single layer. Cover. Cook 20 minutes. Remove from broth (save 3/4 C. broth). Cool, skin, and bone chicken (I use boneless, skinless to start with). Arrange chicken slightly overlapping in 8 x 12 casserole dish. Top with artichoke hearts. Set aside. Melt 1/4 C. butter, stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth. Gradually stir in 3/4 C. chicken broth and light cream. Cook and stir as mixture boils and thickens. Blend in parmesan cheese, sherry, and rosemary. Pour over artichokes, covering them. Sprinkle mushrooms down center. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. You can assemble casserole ahead of time, cover and refrigerate. Bake 10 minutes longer.

*I opt to make it with out mushrooms since my beloved is anti-fungus ;) ... just so you know why you don't see them in the pictures! I also cut my chicken into smaller chunks before assembling - no real reason, just do!

Mint Brownies
* usually prepared in a 9x13 pan but I used heart shaped silicone baking cups for the special occasion ;)

Brownies:
Cook brownies according to directions - I use brownies from a box (right now my faves are Betty Crocker Ultimate Fudge : fudge packet + mini chocolate chips = heaven) COOL brownies before moving adding mint layer - you can speed up in the fridge if you're in a pinch for time ... I usually do ;)

Mint Layer:
1/2 C. butter (1 cube)
2 C. powdered sugar (approx)
2 Tbs. Karo syrup
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
food color (optional) - whatever color is appropriate (I've used blue for BYU games)
Spread mint layer to cover brownies and let set before adding next layer.

Chocolate Layer:
1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (approx. 6 oz.)
1/4 C. butter
Melt together and spread over mint layer. Let chocolate set before cutting and serving.

*you can speed the setting process in the fridge. If you do this, sit them out to let them warm back up before cutting or chocolate will separate from mint layer. They are also easier to cut at room temp.