Romantic 3-course Friday Night Specialty: Potato + goat cheese napoleon over a spicy peach mango sauce, shrimp pesto penne, and banana creme pudding w/ fresh raspberries

The 4-day week after Labor Day went by in a blink of an eye, but it didn't make my Friday any less worth it! We all needed a treat to celebrate the closing of a hard-worked week :)

Well tonight's dish was a race against the clock. I had my own share of pretend play as a Masterchef in my very own MasterChef kitchen! With John arriving at 7 pm, my challenge from 4 pm until 7 was to 1) go grocery shopping, 2) prep the food, 3) clean the house, 4) cook all three courses in time, and 5) freshen up!

Well, to give you the long story short, I conquered the MasterChef challenge. The night was sweet and romantic in our very own home :)

The Appetizer:

Potato goat cheese napoleon

over spicy peach mango sauce

2 Kennebec potatoes, goat cheese
Peach mango preserves, cayenne
Heavy cream, chives

Boil potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain + cool. Pour heavy cream in skillet, add preserve, and a dash of cayenne for a balance of sweet and spice! Assemble the napoleon -- sliced potato then goat cheese -- on top of sauce. Sprinkle with fresh chives!

The Entree:

Shrimp penne in fresh pesto cream sauce

1/2 lb of fresh shrimp, dried penne
For the pesto: Fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan, fresh ground black pepper, & salt.

Mix ingredients for pesto in food processor. Pour olive oil in slowly. Cook shrimp and season w/salt + black pepper. Cook penne al dente. For the sauce, pour heavy cream + add fresh pesto. Cook down then add penne + shrimp. Toss and enjoy! Sprinkle it w/ a little parm for some love!

The Dessert:

Banana cream pudding topped with fresh raspberries and crushed graham crackers

2 banana cream pudding
Fresh raspberries
Graham crackers

(Took a shortcut for time-sake!) Pour banana cream pudding in ramekins.
Top w/ fresh raspberries + crushed graham crackers!
 It's a bit sweet, but the tartness from the raspberries create a wonderful balance on your palate!

The Ambiance:

Pretty orchid candles
Soothing music

A bit cheesy, I know! I laughed to myself as I set the ambiance for the room--felt a bit silly since I don't really do this sort of thing, but it was fun :)

Music: Relaxing piano music

According to John: "Each dish had an extra unique aspect that only Andi could add to. Nothing like coming home to lovely meals and my lovely wife."

Anyways, we hope you enjoy. Good food + Good company = A great time!

Thank you, Lord, for providing us food and time to eat and enjoy together. I'll cook for you in heaven one day! Amen =)