Ah romance...it isn't easy to fit it in, especially when you have been parenting for 29 years...yup...29 years. The oldest child is on her own now and the two youngest are of college age, so we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Being busy as the bees on this lovely Autumn Sedum, we have found that our favorite place to have a nice quiet dinner is right here
on the back porch. Dining al fresco in this cozy spot, lit only by candles...truth be told, we used to have a larger table out here and we would have dinner, weather permitting, with our children. It is more intimate at this little bistro table.
My husband is an amazing chef...not kidding...he makes food so good that smacking your lips and eyes rolling back in your head are the norm. For the menu, we had jaeger schnitzel or hunters veal chops smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce. The green beans were fresh picked from the garden...second crop. He also made a peach pie for dessert...heaven...really!
The recipe for the jaeger schnitzel will follow at the end of this post. We shared a lovely bottle of Malbec with dinner...a luxury we are enjoying now that all offspring have their drivers licenses and can find their own way home.
The dinner delicious, followed by this pie really left me grinning. Maybe I'm a pushover for a peach pie with a heart on it.
or, no...I am definitely undone by this romantic gesture! All these years later and he still makes my heart flutter. I guess romance has many meanings or can be found in many ways...finding yourselves alone for the evening and making the best of it...now that is priceless!
HUNTERS VEAL CHOP...JAEGERSCHNITZEL
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 tsp (red pepper flakes)
2 veal chops
salt and pepper
1 egg
1 cup flour
2 tbsps veggie oil
1 shallot diced
1 clove chopped garlic
1 cup mixed chopped mushrooms
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cold butter
preheat oven to 325 degrees
On the bone, hammer out the veal chops to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Season both sides well with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. dip in flour, then beaten eggs and then bread crumbs and add to a hot pan with the oil. Pan fry on both sides till golden brown and drain on a paper towel. Put the veal in oven on cookie sheet.
Drain the oil from the bottom of the pan leaving the tasty bits at the bottom. Add the garlic, shallot, and mushrooms and cook on high stirring frequently. Reduce to medium and add the chicken broth, pepper flakes, and cream. Cook for about 7 minutes to reduce. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice and stir in the cold butter. Remove chops from oven and cover with a big spoonful of the sauce.
Light the candles, pour the wine and enjoy a meal al fresco with someone you love...even your kids!!
Linking this post to A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday, Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, Miz Helens Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday, and Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.
♥, Susan
Wow, it looks exqusite!!What a lovely gesture. We have been married 45 years--love the heart in the pie. Enjoy that lovely porch this autumn.
Posted by: Ann | September 13, 2011 at 03:40 PM
That looks so good. Wonderful that you are still romantic after almost 30 years. xo,
Posted by: Barbara F. | September 13, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Oh yum on the pie in particular. Are there two of him?
Posted by: Priscilla Bahr | September 13, 2011 at 04:56 PM
He cooks! Can't get much more romantic than that!
Posted by: Karen | September 13, 2011 at 05:07 PM
Nothing more romantic than a candlelight dinner with your loved one.And he even cooked it. Love the heart on the pie.
Posted by: Riet | September 13, 2011 at 06:07 PM
I really admire a man who can cook! What a wonderful date. The food looks amazing!!
Posted by: ellen b | September 13, 2011 at 08:06 PM
There's something special about a husband who cooks...and what a romantic gesture...a heart on the pie!
You are going to LOVE the empty nest! (and you'll really appreciate the kids when they come home!!!)
Jane (artfully graced)
Posted by: Jane | September 13, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Congratulations for a strong union! That's a cute little heart shape centerpiece on the pie!
Posted by: Ebie | September 13, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Oh my... your dinner looks so yummy!!! And I love the aluminum covered dish it's in.
Posted by: GardenOfDaisies | September 13, 2011 at 10:19 PM
What a gorgeous man you have! It all looks sublime! Had to giggle at the kids driving etc,as am in the same place!
Veronica
Posted by: Veronica | September 14, 2011 at 12:59 AM
Your porch is so pretty and it must be so enjoyable to dine there during these pleasant end of summer days. Your husband's Hunters Veal sound de-lish! My husband use to bake apple pies with hearts cut out in the dough when we picked lots of apples in the fall with our children when they were young :) Being an empty nester is not a bad thing, Susan, and I can see you'll make the best of it!
Posted by: Pat | September 14, 2011 at 09:35 AM
Wonderful dinner...my hubby is a great cook too and makes me wonderful meals as well...but usually we make them together. I posted abut sedum today too!
Posted by: Linda | September 14, 2011 at 10:38 AM
That's so great Susan, sounds like you had an amazing meal and a nice evening-enjoy:@)
Posted by: Lynn@HappierThanAPigInMud | September 15, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Your back porch is such a cozy and inviting place.
Posted by: Olga | September 15, 2011 at 05:01 PM
What a wonderful setting and what a wonderful husband too!
Posted by: Mid-Atlantic Martha | September 15, 2011 at 05:51 PM
They say that the way to a MAN'S heart is through his stomach, but "they" just don't know...a man who can cook like this is SO in our hearts!!! Wow! THe fact that he actually added that heart to the crust...be still my heart! What a sweetheart! You've got yourself a real winner. Congratulations, and welcome to the end of the tunnel! My son is 33 and has been gone for about 15 years now. It's so nice when you see them thriving on their own. It lets you know you did a good job. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Alycia Nichols | September 15, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Thanks for sharing the recipe! I've never made a dish like this but it sounds wonderful! I'm lucky, too...my hubby cooks! Your table is perfect for a nice dinner! We are in Florida now and eat most of our meals in the lanai! It's our time to talk about the day! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreamsl | September 16, 2011 at 11:10 AM
I would love to sit on your porch and have a meal there! Thanks for the recipe!
Posted by: Beyond Wandering | September 16, 2011 at 11:34 AM
It has been years since I have had Jaegerschnitzel and your recipe looks delicious, so does your peach pie with that pretty heart on top. I just love dinning Al Fresco this time of the year. Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Posted by: Miz Helen | September 16, 2011 at 12:24 PM
So neat to see empty nesters looking forward instead of back. We, too, decided to focus on rekindling our relationship after all those years of sitting on bleachers. The menu was superb...especially that he fixed it. Thank you for sharing your wonderful evening. Cherry Kay
Posted by: Entertaining Women | September 16, 2011 at 06:32 PM
As is this post, Susan, simply priceless!
Thank you so much for sharing...
Posted by: Louise | September 20, 2011 at 06:25 AM
Oh my gosh... I am jealous of ALL of that food.
As for the license thing, now if only I had a car! ;D Hahaha
Love and miss you. Excited to eat some of that at home.
Posted by: Jenna Ericson | September 23, 2011 at 07:41 PM
When are you coming home?
Posted by: susan ericson | September 23, 2011 at 07:58 PM
What a man. :-)
Posted by: laura @ the shorehouse | September 24, 2011 at 01:14 PM