Matthew’s Date-in-a-Box: the Spring Fling

1. Tulips

Locally grown and perfect for your first date or your 100th, tulips are a pleasant reminder of spring. But choose your color thoughtfully– yellow tulips convey sweetness and joy, white conveys forgiveness, purple represents royalty, and red perfect love. But no matter what the color, a tulip bouquet represents elegance and grace.

2. Candles

Matthew’s carries a wide selection of Thymes scented candles—pick two that match your place settings or match your flowers.

3. Appetizer

Apple, Pecan and Gorgonzola Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette (serves 2, prep 10 minutes) Suggested Wine Pairing

• 1/2 large granny smith apple (produce aisle)
• 1/2 wedge of lemon or lime, about 1/2 tsp juice (produce aisle)
• 4-5 cups loose baby greens (produce aisle)
• 1/2 cup candied pecans, crushed (aisle 3)
• 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola or blue cheese (wine and cheese aisle)
• 1/2 tbsp honey (aisle 4)
• 1/2 tbsp mustard (try Grey Poupon, aisle 6)
• 1/2 small shallot, minced (produce)
• 1/8 cup balsamic vinegar (aisle 5)
• 3/8 cup olive oil (aisle 5)

1. Combine honey, mustard, shallot, vinegar, olive oil in a small, lidded jar, shake vigorously to combine, and add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Chop your granny smith apple into thin match sticks.
3. In a small bowl or sandwich bag, add 1 tbsp of water. Squeeze a lemon or lime wedge into the water. Add apple sticks to the water as you chop to keep them from turning brown.
4. In a large salad bowl, toss greens with enough dressing to coat. Start with 1/4 cup and increase as desired.
5. Portion salad into individual bowls or plates.
6. Arrange 1/2 of apples, pecans, and cheese over the top of each plate of greens.
7. Serve.

4. Main Course

Tuscan Lamb Chop Skillet (serves 2, only 20 minutes prep and cook time) Suggested Wine Pairing– Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Cabernet Sauvignon-Sangiovese Toscana Castiglioni 2006

• 4 lamb rib chops, cut 1 inch thick
• 1 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 10 ounce can cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup canned Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon snipped fresh rosemary
• Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

1. Trim fat from chops. In a large skillet cook chops in hot oil over medium heat for 9 to 11 minutes for medium (160 degrees F), turning once. Transfer chops to a plate; keep warm.
2. Stir garlic into drippings in skillet. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in beans, undrained tomatoes, vinegar, and snipped rosemary. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Spoon bean mixture onto two dinner plates; arrange two chops on each plate. If desired, garnish with rosemary sprigs.

5. Desert

Chocolate sprinkled gourmet popcorn A delicious light snack that’s perfect for curling up with a movie. Pop ¼ cup unbuttered and unsalted popcorn kernels in the microwave (in a paper bag) or in a pot on the stove. While still warm, sprinkle with Nestle mini chocolate morsels and a pinch of salt. Enjoy!