1,095 days of wedded bliss

I have found being married to be pretty easy.  Tell that to someone who has been married for 30-40 years and they may have a different story.  I knew from the get go that we were two very independent people that just happened to be in a relationship then to be married a few years later.  The independence and empowerment I have from being in a solid and wonderful relationship is what I cherish most.  I dont feel guilty for saying that either because I know that he feels the same and we are both more than okay with it! Along with that we always celebrate the very special days such as anniversaries, valentines day, and sometimes birthday's with just a very special meal at home.  The gift we try to give each other during those times is to just spend quality time together.  


On this year's anniversary meal the menu was delicious and well worth the time spent! 


For dinner 

• A fresh garden salad 
• Fairly self explanatory.  But you should try fresh fennel on top!
• Creamy wine chicken.  
• I am not sure what this is really called, but I sort of made it up on the fly.  It is wonderfully simple and I believe that is the major reason why it was so amazing.  Any dish that has less that 3 ingredients cant be beat!
• Take as many chicken breasts as you need and flatten them a little to ensure they will cook evenly. 
• Salt and pepper both sides. 
• Sear them on both sides in a frypan so they get all brown and golden.
• Place a cover on top and a put about 1/2 cup of white wine.  Let the wine cook off and steam the chicken through the rest of the way until its fully cooked. Then place it on a cutting board and cut into chunks. 
• Then return to the pan and add about 1/2 cup or more of white wine.  Let that cook a little then add in about a 1/2 cup of light cream.  Then the sauce simmer down a little and it will thicken up.  Once the sauce is thickened up its ready to serve!

• Spring hash 
•  a bunch of fingerling potatoes, a bunch of asparagus, a small pack of pancetta, one onion chopped, 4-5 cloves of garlic minced, salt and pepper, and a little olive oil.  
• Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees.

Then desert is another story.  This is the fanciest thing I have ever made.  Put it this way anything that has you scraping the inside of a vanilla bean, whipping up a custard, and flambeing apples with brandy is well worth the time!  It is apple and spice bread pudding. 

• Brioche buns from trader joes worked beautifully for this.  Rip it into chunks and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes until it gets all toasty and brown. 
• Heat 4 tbs of butter in a fry pan.  Add in 2 large granny smith apples chopped along with 2/3 cup sugar.  Also add in about 1/2 tsp - 1 tsp of cinnamon. 
• Let the apples cook down and get nice and brown and syrupy.  Then add in 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup of brandy. 
• Now comes the fun part light that pan on fire!  Well, be safe and just gently tilt the pan and light the brandy up so it cooks off.  Don't worry it will go out in a few seconds.
• Then beat 4 eggs, 3 cups of milk, the scrapings or innards of one vanilla bean, and 1/2 cup of sugar.
• Throw everything into a large bowl and let it sit for about 5-7 minutes. 
• Then pour into a large baking dish and bake at 350 for 50 minutes. 
• Enjoy! 

Enjoy the sweet moments in life and know that there is no reason to buy unnecessary junk when being with each other is the most important thing. 

Best !