Belated Valentine's Day Dinner featuring Perline Pasta & Prosciutto + Chocolate Covered Strawberries
By Michelle
@infatuatedbby (94921)
United States
February 17, 2016 11:34pm CST
I don't know how to cook but I will be learning now forward. 
I have to start out somewhere so let's start with the basics of boiling water, ha-ha. 
I bought Trader Joe's Perline Pasta & Prosciutto. I have tried several of Trader Joe's pastas, but never this particular kind plus this one said 2-3 minutes ready time oppose to the other ones which is 5-8 minutes. For the pasta sauce, I bought Trader Joe's Organic Spaghetti Sauce with mushrooms - you hardly even notice the mushrooms, but you do get some chunks of tomatoes. As for a cute decoration and touch of cheese - I cut heart shapes from Havarti Cheese.
For dessert, I made Chocolate Covered Strawberries - in the past I did a better job, but I didn't have the correct chocolates this time around but they tasted delicious! 
Thoughts - I didn't quite like the Perline Pasta & Prosciutto - it was too much meat for me. I guess if I had a little it'd be ok. I only ate half of mine and my boyfriend finished his.
Next up, maybe I will make pancakes tomorrow (not from scratch but from a Trader Joe's box, lol.) Or sometime this week because I already bought the pancake mixture box.
Photo belongs to me!
I have to start out somewhere so let's start with the basics of boiling water, ha-ha. I bought Trader Joe's Perline Pasta & Prosciutto. I have tried several of Trader Joe's pastas, but never this particular kind plus this one said 2-3 minutes ready time oppose to the other ones which is 5-8 minutes. For the pasta sauce, I bought Trader Joe's Organic Spaghetti Sauce with mushrooms - you hardly even notice the mushrooms, but you do get some chunks of tomatoes. As for a cute decoration and touch of cheese - I cut heart shapes from Havarti Cheese.
For dessert, I made Chocolate Covered Strawberries - in the past I did a better job, but I didn't have the correct chocolates this time around but they tasted delicious!
Thoughts - I didn't quite like the Perline Pasta & Prosciutto - it was too much meat for me. I guess if I had a little it'd be ok. I only ate half of mine and my boyfriend finished his.
Next up, maybe I will make pancakes tomorrow (not from scratch but from a Trader Joe's box, lol.) Or sometime this week because I already bought the pancake mixture box.
Photo belongs to me!8 people like this
8 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
18 Feb 16
That looks very professional! I read a review of Trader Joe's Perline Pasta with Prosciutto and the guy wasn't over enthusiastic about it. However, I'm sure that your boyfriend was impressed!
Pancakes are REALLY easy! It's OK to go with the packet stuff (which contains dried egg as well as additives to preserve it and keep the powder free flowing) to start with but making them from scratch is no more trouble, really. All you need is some all-purpose flour (not self-rising), an egg, a pinch of salt and some milk. The secret is to let the batter rest for half an hour and then to beat it again and not to make them too thick. You get the feel for how much batter to use after making one or two. They should be slightly crisp at the edges and thin enough for little bubbles to come through the batter to make them lacy. A good heavy pan is also best.
3 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
18 Feb 16
I wasn't a fan of the perline pasta with prosciutto either. I was sick of it half way through. I do like the other pastas they have available at Trader Joe's - like the cheese tortellini or spinach artichoke ravioli ,and other raviolis are good too. But hands down this was quick to cook compared to the others. My boyfriend was happy to see me in the kitchen as I never am, lol.
I will try to get the pancake packets down first before attempting to go from scratch. I bought a new circulon pan to make some pancakes and eggs.
I will try to get the pancake packets down first before attempting to go from scratch. I bought a new circulon pan to make some pancakes and eggs. 1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
18 Feb 16
look up...we don't get chinese in those boxes do we???
Do you get it in the plastic or the old tinfoil boxes??
Just giving an example of what I reuse to freeze stuff in
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
18 Feb 16
Looks really nice...I bet your boyfriend was very pleased
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
18 Feb 16
Ha-ha thanks! He appreciated it. I even did dishes afterwards which he was shocked. I never do dishes............. like never.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
18 Feb 16
@infatuatedbby maybe if you want to learn to cook you could go to a local cooking course?
I went on one a few years ago when I had to cook for people in my job.
It taught me a lot and there were some nice people there too....didn't cost much either.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
18 Feb 16
@Mike197602 You had to cook for people in your job? What did you end up making? I did take a cooking course back in high school - passed with an A but I would always barter with my group to not cook but do the report write up instead haha. I master the knife skills though because it was tested by the teacher. But a local cooking course sounds like a good idea. 
I just don't like touching meats or poultry.
What did you end up making? I did take a cooking course back in high school - passed with an A but I would always barter with my group to not cook but do the report write up instead haha. I master the knife skills though because it was tested by the teacher. But a local cooking course sounds like a good idea. I just don't like touching meats or poultry.1 person likes this
@iamshane487 (1139)
• Manila, Philippines
18 Feb 16
Good job! Hope you can cook more. There are many recipes online. If you make them everyday, you can know how to cook many dishes.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
18 Feb 16
Thanks! I have tried before and had bad experiences but practice makes perfect.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
19 Feb 16
Thanks! They turned out good. Finished them all today he-he.
Finished them all today he-he.
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
18 Feb 16
Your 1st attempt looks good. Delicious looking pasta dish with cute cheese hearts (how were you so lovely to ever think of that?). The strawberries could be more evenly coated but I guess it's not easy. Fantastic job on the boyfriend cleaning out his bowl!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
18 Feb 16
Thanks! I love heart shaped anything lol. As for the strawberries if you read on my disaster "fail" so I only had one dark chocolate candy bar and that was the best I could do.
I love heart shaped anything lol. As for the strawberries if you read on my disaster "fail" so I only had one dark chocolate candy bar and that was the best I could do. 1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159606)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Feb 16
It looks like the presentation left nothing to be desired. Very nice. I don't care for pasta or Italian foods for that matter. I am a meat and potatoes girl from Idaho.
Pancakes are easy. You might want to use a pitcher or container with a spout. Makes it easier.
