The Romantic Way

Call me a miser, but I put my money where it counts. When I can go wild with only a few bucks, for some reason the thrill is even greater. I think it comes from my passion to live on little and enjoy it a lot.

When it comes to cooking, there are those items which beckon to be purchased because of the sensuous flavor, exotic aroma, or simply the experience. These special ingredients just put a romantic dinner over the top. Things come to mind like a vanilla bean, aromatic cheese, new red potatoes or in the case of last night’s dinner, Leinie’s Creamy Dark Lager Beer. While the beer isn’t the main event, it has a magical quality of tying everything together. And that’s where the money was spent on last night’s dinner.

The main course was roast chicken. At sixty-nine cents a pound for a five-pound bird, I didn’t quibble over the price. Stuffed with vegetables to add delicate flavor and keep the meat moist and generously seasoned, just three hours later, sliced, turned out onto a platter and garnished with the stuffing, I was stunned at the amount of food. There’s plenty left over for some great sandwiches today.

I think all boys love mashed potatoes. Ours are no exception. We used both russets and reds leaving the skins on the reds, threw in a couple of carrots and two chopped cloves of garlic. When the boys come back for seconds, and the plate is solid potatoes and gravy, you’ve likely hit it right.

A generous slice of vegetable roast chicken, accompanied by a mound of aromatic mashed potatoes smothered with simple seasoned chicken gravy with brilliant green crisp broccoli all served up with a frosty glass of creamy dark lager beer reminds you that life doesn’t have to be pricey, just romantic.

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