Kitchen Adventures: Valentine's Day Dinner

Hey Humble Readers...

This crud that I picked up while on vacation is currently kicking my tail.  It's currently sitting in my throat and ears... ugh.  So far, Ginny is appearing to be immune, which is a blessing.

But I wasn't going to let a cold keep me down last night when it came to making dinner.  Due to our financial situation, we agreed that we were only going to do a fancy dinner at home and exchange cards this year for V-day.  So, back in mid January I started looking for something new and outstanding to rock my Beloved's tastebuds.  And this is what I found...

Mediterranean Chicken in Puff Pastry

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed and cut in half
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (of similar size)
2 cups of spinach, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup basil pesto
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Oregano
Thyme
Egg, beaten

Preheat your oven to 350F.  Line a baking sheet with baking parchment.  Roll out, on a lightly floured board, one half of the puff pastry until it is almost triple the size of your chicken breast.  In the center of the puff pastry, place 1/2 cup of spinach.  Top with chicken breast.  Spread one tablespoon of basil pesto on chicken breast, then sprinkle with half of the sundried tomatoes and feta cheese.  Sprinkle with a pinch of oregano and thyme.  Top with 1/2 cup spinach.  Bring sides of pastry up and press/roll together tightly.  Do the same to each end, so that the pastry forms a packet around the chicken.  Place wrapped chicken on baking sheet, seam side down.  Repeat all steps with second chicken breast.  Using a sharp knife, slice 2 or 3 small slits in the pastry to allow steam to escape.  Brush both packets lightly with beaten egg and put in the oven.  Bake for 40 minutes, until the pastry is nice and golden.  To serve, cut each packet in half on an angle and stack on a plate. 

What they looked like fresh from the oven.... YUM!

I served this with boiled new potatoes dressed with a bit of basil pesto, and oven roasted asparagus.  It was incredible, and I can't wait to try this with different combinations of meats and cheeses. 

Okay, it's time for this hobbit to crawl back into bed.  Thankfully the wee little girl is napping too.