LOVE: Food Style

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach"

A common saying and so very true for my man.  He loves food.  He loves good food and he has very good taste!  So I really, really try to be good cook.  I occasionally fail.  For example, our first Valentine's day together as a dating couple I attempted to make salmon and completely burned it.  I believe the smoke alarms even went off.  Needless to say I was scarred by the experience and no longer attempt to make salmon :)

However, sometimes I am quite successful!  I found a new recipe for Thai Basil Chicken and Adam loved it!  I made it for the first time last week and thought it would be perfect to make for my love on Valentine's day.  Do you have a husband that loves spicy Asian foods??  You really should make this! Personally I find Asian recipes intimidating to make on my own, but this one was actually quite easy and quick.  It is actually pretty healthy too with the exception of the fish sauce which is a bit high on sodium.

Thai Basil Chicken (adapted from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons chili oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 hot chile peppers
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 5 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 cup fresh mushrooms
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 bunch fresh basil leaves

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the garlic and chile peppers until golden brown. Mix in chicken and sugar, and season with garlic salt and pepper. Cook until chicken is no longer pink, but not done.
2. Stir fish sauce into the skillet. Mix in mushrooms and onions, and continue cooking until onions are tender and chicken juices run clear. Remove from heat, and mix in basil. Let sit 2 minutes before serving.

A couple friendly tips:

*I buy the mushrooms that are already sliced.  They cost the same as whole.
*Buy a good quality fish sauce!  From what I hear it makes a difference.
*I served over brown rice

I also made chocolate covered strawberries to celebrate! Last year we went to a local chocolate shop that shall remain unnamed and purchased ONE chocolate covered strawberry for $6.  This year it cost less than $6 to make ALL of these and I am pretty sure they were just as good.  Just sayin'  :)

It was a tasty Valentine's day!