Romantic Asian inspired dinner for two on this random Saturday in February

So, it's Jenny and I CANNOT STAND Valentine's Day!! I believe it is silly to have a day where the pressure is on to prove to your significant other and the world (aka SOCIAL MEDIA. . .cause lets be honest. . .Its all for the LIKES) how much you love your honey. 

Better yet, it's a day that makes single people feel bad for being single and makes mediocre relationships seem desirable. My gift won't be heartfelt if I'm being coerced by the media (or by babe's "hints" posted on the refrigerator door) to buy them. 

With that being said, I am a hopeless romantic who believes in sweet nothings and romantic gestures as common practice in any relationship. You should remind your lover what they mean to you on a regular basis. 

Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Do you go to the drug store and pick up the candy/card/plush toy? Why not spice it up this year? How about dinner and those chocolate covered strawberries you know they'll love, all for under 20 bucks? 

                

Make this Saturday one of many days you remind your sweetie why they are number one with a homemade meal and a naturally heart shaped dessert. I suggest making the strawberries first and putting them in the fridge to set while you prepare dinner.

Basic Chocolate Covered Strawberries:
4 oz of bittersweet chocolate or two bars of chocolate 

6-8 washed and thoroughly dried strawberries
Optional toppings: coconut flakes, chopped almonds,white chocolate or use you imagination!

Fill sauce pan or pot half full of water, bring to a boil then turn off heat. Place large bowl (glass or metal) over top of sauce pan and add chocolate in three parts allowing each part to almost completely dissolve first (not as important if using chocolate ready to eat as is). This has to be done quickly or else you risk burning the chocolate, especially of using a metal bowl. Once melted, begin to dip strawberries and set down on parchment to cool. If desired, dip
in extra toppings

Chicken:

Coconut Oil For Frying

1.5 – 2 lbs. whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs, Cut Into Bite Sized Pieces

4 whole Egg Whites

2 Tbsp. Cornstarch

Sauce:

½ Semi ripe Mango (save skin for plating and other half for puree)

1 c. mango puree ( ¾ c. mango, ¼ c. water in blender)

1 Tbsp. Soy Sauce or liquid aminos

1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp. Distilled Vinegar

¼ Tbsp. Of Salt (DO NOT add more salt, there's a lot of salt in the soy sauce)

¼ Tbsp. Cayenne Pepper

¼ Fresh Ground Black Pepper 

1 Tbsp. Fresh or ¼ Tbsp. Dried Cilantro

2 cloves Garlic, Minced

2 Tsp. Minced Ginger

Zest of 1 Lime (Save Lime to squeeze over once complete)

Cornstarch slurry (1 Tsp. Cornstarch, ¼ cup Water)

1 large carrot (made into ribbons with peeler)

½ cup of String Beans (cut diagonally)

½ White Onion

½ Green Pepper

Cilantro for Garnish

Different way to cut your carrots

Preparation Instructions

Chicken:

In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and egg whites with a whisk about 1 minute. Add the chicken to the mixture and set aside

For the sauce:

Add puree, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, spices, garlic and ginger and lime zest in a small nonstick skillet and whisk. Heat until mixture starts to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch slurry to the sauce. Mix in and thicken for 1 minute. (If sauce gets overly thick, just add in another 1/4 cup water and whisk in.) Add in Onion and pepper just till aromatic, you still want crunch. Toss carrots, string beans in the sauce, fully coating and turn off heat.

Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet or other heavy pot. In batches, carefully drop chicken into the oil (drop them in one by one to keep them from sticking together) and move it around, until light golden. Let the pieces drain on a plate lined with paper towels for 2 to 3 minutes. Then drop them back into the oil for 1 minute

Toss in chicken and serve immediately, top with fresh squeezed lime juice and cilantro for garnish. And Voila! Pair with your favorite booze and enjoy!

Eat Well, not Less. Live Long, not Hard and build a Divine Appetite!