Reminisce and reconnect on a crisp autumn eve over an elegant dinner designed to share with your beau.
What better backdrop for a date-night dinner than sunset’s brilliant show and the subsequent hush that nightfall brings?
Arrange a table porchside for a front-row seat to it all, and then dress up the scene with graceful linens and soft candlelight. An unexpected scheme of pink and green feels romantic yet not too feminine and fits well into the early colors of fall that are just beginning to burnish and blush.
Dishes like Herbed Pork Tenderloin and Wild Mushroom Risotto round out the menu, while a dessert tray for two invites you and your sweetheart to linger over the waning moments of this memorable eve.
Orange Salad with Refreshing Orange Dressing
2016-10-04 18:06:04
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups arugula
- 1/3 cup cubed feta cheese
- Salted almonds to taste
- 1 navel orange, peeled and sectioned
- Refreshing Orange Dressing (recipe follows)
Instructions
- On a platter, arrange arugula, feta cheese, almonds, and oranges. Drizzle with desired amount of Refreshing Orange Dressing.
Southern Lady Magazine https://southernladymagazine.com/
Refreshing Orange Dressing
2016-10-04 18:09:29
MAKES 3/4 CUP
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients.
Southern Lady Magazine https://southernladymagazine.com/
Herbed Pork Tenderloin
2016-10-04 18:08:02
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 (1.5-pound) pork tenderloin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450˚. Place tenderloin on a cutting board, with long side closest to you. Using a sharp knife, cut a 1-inch-deep incision along the length of the tenderloin; do not cut completely through.
- Open meat at incision as if opening a book. Using the flat side of a meat mallet or a rolling pin, flatten any thick portions of meat to an even thickness throughout (no thinner than ½ inch). Sprinkle meat evenly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle one side of pork with basil, thyme, and garlic.
- Starting with one long side, roll up meat and herb filling. Using butcher’s twine, tie tenderloin together at 1-inch intervals.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add pork, and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Place skillet in oven, and bake until a meat thermometer registers 155°,
- 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Cut into 6 slices.
Southern Lady Magazine https://southernladymagazine.com/
Roasted Asparagus
2016-10-04 18:11:37
MAKES 2 SERVINGS
Ingredients
- 1 lemon, zested (zest reserved) and thinly sliced
- 1/2 pound thin asparagus
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450˚. Place lemon slices on a parchment-lined 13x9-inch jelly roll pan. Place asparagus on top of lemons. Sprinkle with lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Bake until crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
Southern Lady Magazine https://southernladymagazine.com/
Pecan Chocolate Tarts
2016-10-04 18:14:45
Makes 2 tarts
Ingredients
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 (14.1-ounce) package refrigerated pie crust
- 1/4 cup milk chocolate morsels
- 1/3 cup lightly toasted pecans
- Caramel Sauce (recipe follows)
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚. Whisk together egg, sugars, melted butter, flour, and vanilla extract.
- Line 2 (4x1-inch) tart pans with pie crust. Divide chocolate morsels and pecans between each. Divide egg mixture between each. Place tarts on jelly roll pan. Bake for 25 minutes; let cool completely. Serve with Caramel Sauce and vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Southern Lady Magazine https://southernladymagazine.com/
Caramel Sauce
2016-10-04 18:15:44
MAKES ABOUT 2/3 CUP
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, cook sugar over medium heat until melted and golden brown (do not stir). Remove from heat, and stir in whipping cream. Return to heat, and cook until sugar is evenly dissolved. Remove from heat, and stir in butter and vanilla extract. Let cool.
Southern Lady Magazine https://southernladymagazine.com/
From Southern Lady, September 2016
