| If you would like to plan a romantic Italian dinner | | | | boil before reducing back down to medium. |
| for you and your loved one, then that does not | | | | Add in the pasta, seasoning, and bacon and allow |
| mean that you have to get in the car and drive | | | | to cook 10-15 minutes or until pasta is done, |
| off to the Italian restaurant across town. Instead, | | | | stirring frequently. Garnish with cheese. |
| why not try your hand at some Italian cooking at | | | | Second Course |
| home? | | | | The second course of your romantic Italian dinner |
| Here are two easy courses that you can whip up | | | | can be chicken piccata. If you would like, you can |
| in your own kitchen to surprise your loved ones | | | | serve this over noodles or rice. |
| with a romantic Italian dinner for two. Finish the | | | | You will need:o 1 pound of boneless, skinless |
| meal off with tiramisu, gelato, or other Italian | | | | chicken breastso 3 Cups of vegetable oilo |
| dessert. | | | | ½ Cup all purpose flouro 2 eggso ¼ |
| First course | | | | cup watero ½ teaspoon salto ¼ |
| For the first course of your romantic Italian | | | | teaspoon black peppero 1/3 Cup lemon juiceo 1 |
| dinner, why not try some pasta fagioli? This soup | | | | Cup Italian white wineo 2 teaspoons chicken |
| is a classic at fine Italian restaurants, and can be | | | | bouillono ½ Cup hot watero 2 Tablespoons |
| accompanied by garlic bread or rolls. You will | | | | corn starcho 2 Tablespoons cold watero ¼ |
| need:o 6 ounces of smoked bacon, dicedo 1 Cup | | | | Cup fresh lemon thyme leaveso 1Tablespoon |
| onions, dicedo 1 Cup carrots, dicedo 1 Cup celery, | | | | capers |
| dicedo A 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoeso Two | | | | Remove the tendons and fat from the chicken |
| 15 oz. cans of cannellini beans, drainedo 1 Quart | | | | and then pound flat. Cut into two inch pieces. Heat |
| beef brotho 2 Cups watero 2 bay leaveso 1 Cup | | | | the oil in a large pan. Combine flour, eggs, water, |
| dried pasta (ditalini is preferred, but you can also | | | | salt, and pepper in a bowl, use to coat the |
| use elbow macaroni)o 4 cloves garlic, mincedo 2 | | | | chicken. Fry chicken until golden brown, drain on a |
| Tablespoons savory, mincedo 1 Tablespoon sage | | | | paper towel. |
| leaves, choppedo 1 teaspoon salto ½ | | | | For the sauce, heat the lemon juice and wine in a |
| teaspoon black peppero Parmesan cheese | | | | small pan. Dissolve the bouillon in hot water and |
| To prepare the soup, start by cooking the bacon | | | | then add to the mixture. Make a paste with the |
| until it is lightly browned and then drain on a paper | | | | cold water and corn starch, add to the pan. Whisk |
| towel. Set aside two tablespoons of the drippings | | | | continuously as you heat the sauce to a boil. Turn |
| and discard the rest. Pour the saved drippings into | | | | the heat to low and simmer until sauce has |
| a stock pot and add the vegetables, cooking on | | | | thickened. |
| medium heat until the onions are translucent. | | | | Add in the chicken pieces and cook for about five |
| Add in the canned vegetables, broth, water, and | | | | minutes to reheat. Remove from heat and stir in |
| bay leaves, bring to a simmer, and allow to cook | | | | lemon thyme, sprinkle with capers. Serve. This is |
| for a half hour. Remove the bay leaves and half | | | | an easy romantic Italian dinner that you can serve |
| the beans. Puree half the beans and then return | | | | tonight for your loved one. |
| them to the pot, bringing the entire mixture to a | | | | |