THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, May 4, 1995                  TAG: 9505020074
SECTION: FLAVOR                   PAGE: F1   EDITION: FINAL 
COLUMN: Desperation Dinner 
SOURCE: BY BEVERLY MILLS WITH ALICIA ROSS, SPECIAL TO FLAVOR 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   39 lines

MAKE TIME: A DINNER FOR JUST THE TWO OF YOU IT'S A DATE, SO BREAK OUT THE WINE AND CANDLES, TOO

BETWEEN OFFICE deadlines, incoming phone calls and children who need constant attention, my husband and I average about 25 minutes a day of uninterrupted, adult conversation.

What do we usually talk about? Kids and co-workers.

Sometimes it drives me crazy. Even a workday week deserves a little romance. So every now and then I break the routine and declare a ``Desperation Date Night.''

It's nothing complicated. We just throw the kids in bed 20 minutes early, unplug the phone, light the candles, break out the wine and cook something slightly more sophisticated than macaroni and cheese.

If you want to try it, there's one trick. While the meal needs to be a bit special, you can't spend more than 15 minutes preparing it or you'll never find the energy to pull it off.

We usually make a dish we know our kids would never agree to eat, like today's recipe for Pasta with Smoked Salmon Cream.

The convenient thing about this recipe is that the salmon, the only unusual ingredient, stores unopened in the refrigerator for three months so you can be ready whenever the mood strikes.

While one partner makes the salmon cream (it takes about 12 minutes), the other can put together a salad, heat some bread and set the table.

Now, sit down, relax, propose a toast and really talk - about anything except work and kids. by CNB