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Old 01-25-2004, 05:58 PM   #41 (permalink)
Blackthorn
Beware the Mad Irish
 
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Location: Wish I was on the N17...
Re: Date ideas

Quote:
Originally posted by blade02
Well Im looking for a fancy but elegant meal to cook up for my girl friend. I'd like something light so beef is out the question and chicken can be done up nice but seems too normal, I guess maybe something like pork tenderloins, or a good fish are my options....I was just wondering if you all had any other suggestions as far as meats go.
One good one that I've found great for dates is a version of a Mexican Lasagna. It's pretty simple to make and it's delightful on the taste buds. Served with corn bread twists this recipe is great. Hope I'm not making a Rookie mistake by posting the recipe here:

Mexican Lasagna

Ingredients

2 TBS. Oil
1 Large Zucchini (~10 Oz.)
¾ C Frozen Corn, Thawed
¼ C Ricotta Cheese
1 ½ C Grated Monterey Jack Cheese
½ tsp. Cumin
1 C Bottled Tomato Based Salsa
6 – 6” Corn Tortillas
1 – 7 oz. Jar Roasted Red Peppers (or 2 – 4 oz. Jars); drained, patted dry
3 TBS. Chopped Fresh Cilantro

Oven Directions

• Preheat oven to 500o F
• Brush baking sheet with oil
• Cut zucchini crosswise into ½” slices
• Arrange zucchini in one layer on baking sheet with corn; sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
• Roast in oven 5 minutes; turn zucchini and roast 5 minutes more.
• Mix together ricotta, 1 C Monterey jack, cumin, and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Lightly grease 9” x 5” baking pan.
• Trim tortillas with scissors into 5” x 4.5” rectangles (to fit baking pan).
• Cover bottom of pan with two tortillas.
• Spread ¼ C salsa (slightly drained) over the tortillas followed by ½ cheese mixture, ½ zucchini and corn, and ½ red peppers, 1 TBS. Cilantro.
• Repeat with another layer of tortillas, ¼ C salsa, ½ cheese mixture, ½ zucchini and corn, ½ red peppers, 1 TBS. Cilantro.
• Add another layer of tortillas, ½ C salsa, ¼ C Monterey jack mixed with remaining 1 TBS. Cilantro.
• Cover with foil and bake at 500 F for 12-14 minutes.
• Stand and cool 5-10 minutes, slice and serve.

This recipe makes enough for four single slice servings but being the pig that I am I usually will eat two of them. For those of you short in the arithmetic content skill domain this means this recipe comfortably serves two.

I also recommend using Pace mild or medium salsa. Go for the hot at your own risk because once baked the salsa gets mighty warm on the palette. Best served with an ice, cold beverage of choice (i.e.: The coolest of frosty sensations!)
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