How about you surprise him this Valentine's Day with a romantic dinner for two? I took advantage of the recent visit of the renowned Brazilian chef Isa Souza to Miami to interview her and ask her about an easy to make Valentine's Day menu. Inmediately, Isa suggested a rack of lamb with pistachio served with delicious mashed potatoes with carrots and a sauce made of caramelized onions with cherry wine.
The recipe is included in the book Isa vida y sabor: Fácil, sano y sabroso, a compendium of dishes that highlights why Isa is succeding in the culinary scene in the U.S. and Latin America: her cuisine is as creative as healthy.
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The first thing I have to say is that Isa's recipes work. Every single one that I've prepared has been spectacular. This romantic dinner for two is as delicious as it is simple and the best thing is that you'll have plenty of time to get beautiful for him. Also, baked pistachios help reduce odors in the house and if you substitute onions for canned onion soup, drain it and add the wine and butter, you'll have a delicious sauce and your house, clothes and hair won't smell like you spent hours in the kitchen!
Rack of lamb with pistachio
Makes 2-3 servings
Ingredients
1 strip 6 rack of lamb (whole)
1 cup salted pistachio shelled
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a food processor, process the nuts until well chopped, almost minced
3. Season the lamb with salt and pepper, and add a little of olive oil.
4. Put the pistachios in a shallow dish and cover the lamb with them, pressing the lamb into the pistacchio so they stick well on the lamb.
5. Place the lamb with in a baking tray.
6. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
7 . Remove the foil and bake the lamb for 10 more minutes until golden .
Mashed potatoes with carrots
Makes 2-3 servings
Ingredients
2 potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 clove of garlic
2 tablespoons of butter
1/2 tablespoon of mustard (Dijon)
Olive oil
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
1. Cook the potatoes in a pot with water to cover, for 10 minutes.
2. Add the carrots and the garlic and cook until carrots are tender. Drain.
3. In a bowl with the potatoes and carrots are still hot, add the butter, mustard, salt and pepper and purée. Add a little olive oil and reserve.
Onion sauce with cherry wine
Ingredients
2 onions, sliced
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1 cup of cherry wine
1 tablespoon of butter
Olive oil
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
1. In a hot skillet over medium-high heat add 2 tablespoons of oil, add the onions and sugar and sauté until golden.
2. Add salt, pepper and wine.
3. Reduce heat and cook until thickened.
4. Once the sauce has the desired consistency, add the butter and stir.
Presentation of the dish
1. Cut ribs into six and serve 3 pieces on each plate.
2. Using a ring mold, serve the mashed potatoes and carrots.
3. Serve the onion sauce with the lamb .
Images via Isa, Vida y Sabor
