Turkey with Sherry, Valentine's Day and Romantic Spain

Mon mari often complains that I never forget anything and, more specifically, that I never forget a date.

I could suggest that, if he wouldn't choose such inappropriate dates for his actions, perhaps I would be more likely to forget.

And what date and action am I referring to?

Valentine's Day.

To be honest, I was going to ignore this holiday.  It's not a big one in our house.

Frankly, we don't quite know how to celebrate it.

It's the anniversary of mon mari kicking me out of the house.

To be fair, we had only been living together for just under a year.

To be unfair it was Valentine's Day, and I had just fixed a lovely dinner for two.

To be really bitchy, he then took me out for a night cap before delivering the blow - the better able to insure the minimum scene... being out in public amidst all of our friends, and all that.

The timing was good - he was going away on business at the end of the month, for a week, giving me time alone to move out.

The timing was bad - I was going away on business for two  weeks, immediately, leaving me no time to find a place to live. 

All said, it did work out. 

I moved out by the end of the month; let everyone know I was single; started dating immediately (admittedly, some were, um, contrived).

He soon regretted his imprudent decision and we were married in May, same year.

We didn't do 'living together' well, at all; but we do just fine at this marriage thing....

Still, we don't normally celebrate Valentine's Day.

When my sweet friend, Chris, of Mele Cotte decided to do a tribute to Valentine's Day with the Foods of Love, I had to participate: it was food, after all.

First, let me set a more proper mood:

When most people think of travel and romance they think of France: Paris, the Cote d'Azur, or Italy: Rome, the hills of Tuscany.

They should be thinking of Spain.  Here are a few of my favorite romantic spots in Spain:

Sitting in the Plaza Mayor in Segovia just as the sun sets, watching the last rays bounce off the near-perfect, 2000 year old Roman Aqueduct that towers over the city.

Sitting on a terrace at a restaurant in Tibidabo at midnight, having a leisurely dinner and gazing down on the lights of Barcelona and off to the Mediterranean.

Sitting in a secluded courtyard in the old quarter of Cordoba during the Patio Festival  when every nook,  cranny, balcony and pond is filled with flowers; with rose petals gently raining down.

Sitting in the Alhambra, at dusk, watching the sun set over the Moorish carvings and formal gardens, looking out to the mountains and olive groves.

Sitting in an out-of-the-way bar in Jerez, and finding that you have stumbled into a local Flamenco celebration.

And while one is doing all of that sitting one really should be sipping: Xérès - Jerez - Sherry.

Sherry is a rich, complex fortified wine with a history dating back to 1,100 BC. 

Sipping a chilled glass of Fino, watching the evening Paseo, relishing the nuances unique to Spain....  Now, that's a romantic celebration....

Turkey with Sherry and Iberian Ham
   for two

12 oz (350 gr) turkey cutlets
4 slices Iberian ham (3oz, 90gr)
4oz (125gr) mushrooms
1 cup (8oz, 250ml) chicken stock
1/2 cup (4oz, 125ml) Amontillado (sherry)
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tbs cornstarch (maizena) dissolved in 1 tbs water
1 tbs olive oil
1 cup small pasta (farfalle)

Cook pasta according to package directions.
Cut turkey into bite-size pieces.  Clean and slice mushrooms. Slice ham into bite-size pieces.  Heat oil in nonstick skillet.  Add mushrooms, ham and sauté 5 minutes.  Add turkey and sauté 5 minutes longer.  Add stock, sherry, rosemary and sugar, cover and simmer 10 minutes.  Uncover, stir in cornstarch to thicken.  Serve over pasta.

Light the candles, pour a glass of sherry and toast your love!

Like cooking with wine, you don't have to use an expensive, Reserve sherry, but do use something that is perfectly drinkable.  Do not, ever, ever, use 'cooking sherry'.  The only good use for that is...there IS no good use for that....

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Chris says she'll have all of the foods of love on Mele Cotte  on Feb.12....stop by!

You can see how I remember the date of our break-up, right?

Comments

[Lydia]

Funny story, Katie! I'm glad you lived happily ever after. Men are so easy to figure out, aren't they?

[Peter]

That's a cozy turkey dish and rosemary's a natural for poultry. I have to remember to pick up some Amontillado sherry.

As for Valentines, the kitsch mafia have infiltrated Europe, sadly.

[casey]

GREAT V-Day story--thanks to the happy ending.
And a lovely, lovely collection of romantic Spanish locales--I've only been to Barcelona, but adored it.

[casey]

hey, that was MY post above--how the heck did it get Peter's name?
weeeeeeirrrrd

[Emiline]

Oh, I'm falling in love with this combination of flavors. Seriously. I'm getting really into Spanish food.

PS-I will be arriving shortly, to live with you in France. ;)

[Kevin]

Now that looks good. Mushrooms, ham, and turkey in a nice and shiny sherry sauce.

[Lynn]

And you married him anyway??

[Tanya]

Katie

Nice dish.................

while surfing for gifting ideas i came across Giftex blog and found it interesting.

[Amanda]

I do see, I do. How funny! Men can be so predictable. So easy when you know how, so difficult when you don't.

For years I endured ridicule when I said I loved sherry. People used to offer to get me a blanket and a glass of sherry. Thankfully it's changed. Oloroso is my favourite. This dish sounds delicious.

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Men are hopeless.
The mushrooms look so fabulous good! I wouldn't really care if there was nothing under them.

[glenna]

I feel guilty for laughing but, yeah, I'd remember that date until HIS dying day too. Great love story that you ended up getting married from there, though. Obviosuly that was exactly what he needed to realize just how deeply he felt for you.

[FarmgirlCyn]

Ouch! But love the happy ending! I've been married nearly 37 years, but just do not get into V-Day. Cards are $5 or so, and the roses are dead in just a few days. I would much rather go out for dinner, then come home, get my pj's on and watch an old movie!

[Bellini Valli]

I wish I were in any of those places in Spain for Valentine's Day...or any other day...having this wonderful dinner :D

[Jann]

funny how things work out in life- a great romantic story! We have been married 34 years and don't get into this holiday much either-so many of these holidays are invented to help the card companies make a delicious profit. I like the idea of just sitting and sipping,Spain would work!You recipe is one I want to try! Cheers!

[katek]

woa ..what a story ... could turn it into a Hollywood flick ! and it has a beautiful ending too :p

[katie]

Lydia, it's much funnier now... and, yes, they are!

Peter, they have...although Hallmark still hasn't reared it's head here.

Casey, I love Spain, there is so much history there to explore. I don't really live in France...I live in the Twilight Zone....

Emiline, you're coming to live with me??? I need details....

Kevin, and it was good...we ate the whole thing!

Lynn, yeah...go figure! And it stuck!

Very sneaky, Tanya...

Amanda, I have always loved sherry. And a glass of Olorosa in front of a nice fire...heaven!

Tanna, they are... but we've got'em anyway!

Glenna, really, I have no idea how he can expect me NOT to remember... I mean, what a gift!

Cyn, well, you can see why 'm not big on celebrating.... I wouldn't mind some chocolates, though....

Val, and Spain is warm, now...sunny and warm!

Jann, the last time I was in the U.S I saw a Mother's Day card to be given by someone to their step-child.... am I missing something

Katek, we like happy endings!

[Lisa]

What a story! But, I know how these things go. Love is . . . strange. And speaking of love, I love sherry, too. Your Spanish settings have me wanting to hop on a plane.

[Chris]

Great story...thanks so much for sharing and for participating. This, as with all your dishes, looks beautifully tasty. Your description of Spain is wonderful. My sister just got back from Barcelona and had a wonderful time!

[Mike]

Glad it all worked out in the end. We're not big on v-day here, either. The fewer holidays, the better. ;-)

We went to Spain once. We went at the worst time of year when it was cold, nobody was there, everything was under construction, etc etc. The stars were aligned against us for that trip, lol. I'll just dream of Italy...

The pasta looks delicious and sherry is always a great wine to have on hand.

[Betty C.]

How funny! We're not very good at Valentine's Day either. I think our first one ended up in a huge fight because he was way late getting home for the romantic dinner I had planned, having been out buying a present for me in a panic because he felt he had to...you get the picture!

We once went out to eat for Valentine's Day with a couple we were great friends with. That was neat. They are now divorced...

In fact, I don't really have one single memorable and positive Valentine's Day to report on with my husband. Maybe it really isn't meant to be a French thing...

[katie]

Lisa, you should...hop on a plan! Wouldn't that be wonderful - if we could just do that...

Chris, I love Barcelona, actually all of Spain... You'll have to visit there next..

Mike, that is toooo bad. Hard to erase the bad memories... Try again in spring or fall, summer is too full of tourists.. ;-)

Betty, that's my line - I just tell everyone it's not celebrated here. I also tell everyone that 'cards' aren't available - my excuse for not sending Hallmark's best for every imaginable event in everyone's life

[núria]

He, he, he, I feel somehow flattered with your Spanish looking post. You have seen more of Spain than me!!! But I remember being in a Bar up there in Tibidabo mountain with a man I just fell in love with and there was no better place to be than that... no Fino, though!

Not to mention your recipe... Wonderful!!!

[katie]

Hola, guapa...lucky man! Beautiful spot. I love Spain!

[Tina]

Wow what a great story!! and Yummy Dish to top that off!! Great job!

[Mary]

I've always wanted to go to Spain and your dish looks super tasty!
Personally I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day, but your story is great. I'm glad it worked out in the end.