Need some advice for a romantic meal.....?!
After losing a bet i've got to cook three course gourmet meal for my girlfriend, and I want to knock her socks off!.
So I am looking for some advice!. I can cook but I am looking for some impressive, inspiring ideas!.
It needs to be fairly simple but look fantastic!. But perhaps the most important factor it needs to be fairly cheap!. I’m not a skin flint, I’ve just not got a lot of dosh to spare!.
So come on, give me some inspiration!Www@FoodAQ@Com
So I am looking for some advice!. I can cook but I am looking for some impressive, inspiring ideas!.
It needs to be fairly simple but look fantastic!. But perhaps the most important factor it needs to be fairly cheap!. I’m not a skin flint, I’ve just not got a lot of dosh to spare!.
So come on, give me some inspiration!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Oh, Baby! This will be one bet you will be glad you lost!!!
Think about all the senses!.!.!.!. sound, sight, smell, touch, taste
Sound --- Some romatic music, but surprise her with something unexpected!.!.!. something soothing that you may not normally listen to!. From the moment she arrives, the music is subtle signal that this is not a typical evening!.
Sight --- Candles and soft lighting make the space!. Use lots of votives/tea lights!. Keep the lights low!. Not to imply that your place needs it, but make the effort to really clean --- vacuum (even under the sofa), dust, scrub the bathroom (sink, toilet, floor), etc!.!.!. it's just that most men don't clean and haven't figured out its not them, its their dust bunnies that kill romance!
Smell --- single stem flowers in small vases scattered around your space!.!.!. everywhere she might go (including the bath)!. If you have access to a garden - cut some fresh flowers and greens - otherwise, just pick up a bunch at the store!. Go to the dollar store --- they usually have small bud vases and candles!.
Touch --- I agree on the linens!.!.!. if you don't have them, hit one of the discount places and pick up a tablecloth (placemats will do ok) and a couple cloth napkins!.
Taste --- Some of the best food is extremely simple!.!.!. let the freshness of the food speak for itself, and just embellish a bit to get the gourmet!.!.!.
Stick with things you can prepare ahead of time!. It makes serving much easier & less stressful!. You'll come off like James Bond - smooth and attentive!.
1st course: Baby spinach leaves, top with 1 strawberry (sliced), and drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar!.
Prepare small plate with a bed of clean/dried spinach leaves ahead of time- stick in fridge!. Arrange sliced strawberries on top (usually one berry per salad will do the trick) & LIGHTLY drizzle balsamic over the berries right before serving!.
2nd course:
Fillet mignon - get small steaks, they cook fast in a toaster oven ~ 10 minutes!. Salt, pepper & oil the meat 20-30 minutes before cooking!.
Beet, goat cheese, dill salad (link to recipe below) - you can do this ahead of time & serve at room temperature!. Your grocery may carry steamed vacuum-packed beets in the produce section, otherwise canned beets work well too!. If you're up for roasting fresh beets - go for it!. It's time consuming & a bit messy as the beet juice stains!. In the recipe below you can substitute muscat wine vinegar with balsamic vinegar!. I like to top the salad with goat cheese, but its optional!.
Green veggie --- steamed asperagus or green string beans!.
Fresh bread!.
The color combo of the brilliant red/pink beets, greens are a great visual contrast with the beef!.
3rd course: Fruit compote or sorbet for dessert!.
It's light, healthy!. For a fruit compote --- a simple mix of melon cubes and berries of contrasting color (but don't repeat strawberry from 1st course)!.
Have a great time!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Think about all the senses!.!.!.!. sound, sight, smell, touch, taste
Sound --- Some romatic music, but surprise her with something unexpected!.!.!. something soothing that you may not normally listen to!. From the moment she arrives, the music is subtle signal that this is not a typical evening!.
Sight --- Candles and soft lighting make the space!. Use lots of votives/tea lights!. Keep the lights low!. Not to imply that your place needs it, but make the effort to really clean --- vacuum (even under the sofa), dust, scrub the bathroom (sink, toilet, floor), etc!.!.!. it's just that most men don't clean and haven't figured out its not them, its their dust bunnies that kill romance!
Smell --- single stem flowers in small vases scattered around your space!.!.!. everywhere she might go (including the bath)!. If you have access to a garden - cut some fresh flowers and greens - otherwise, just pick up a bunch at the store!. Go to the dollar store --- they usually have small bud vases and candles!.
Touch --- I agree on the linens!.!.!. if you don't have them, hit one of the discount places and pick up a tablecloth (placemats will do ok) and a couple cloth napkins!.
Taste --- Some of the best food is extremely simple!.!.!. let the freshness of the food speak for itself, and just embellish a bit to get the gourmet!.!.!.
Stick with things you can prepare ahead of time!. It makes serving much easier & less stressful!. You'll come off like James Bond - smooth and attentive!.
1st course: Baby spinach leaves, top with 1 strawberry (sliced), and drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar!.
Prepare small plate with a bed of clean/dried spinach leaves ahead of time- stick in fridge!. Arrange sliced strawberries on top (usually one berry per salad will do the trick) & LIGHTLY drizzle balsamic over the berries right before serving!.
2nd course:
Fillet mignon - get small steaks, they cook fast in a toaster oven ~ 10 minutes!. Salt, pepper & oil the meat 20-30 minutes before cooking!.
Beet, goat cheese, dill salad (link to recipe below) - you can do this ahead of time & serve at room temperature!. Your grocery may carry steamed vacuum-packed beets in the produce section, otherwise canned beets work well too!. If you're up for roasting fresh beets - go for it!. It's time consuming & a bit messy as the beet juice stains!. In the recipe below you can substitute muscat wine vinegar with balsamic vinegar!. I like to top the salad with goat cheese, but its optional!.
Green veggie --- steamed asperagus or green string beans!.
Fresh bread!.
The color combo of the brilliant red/pink beets, greens are a great visual contrast with the beef!.
3rd course: Fruit compote or sorbet for dessert!.
It's light, healthy!. For a fruit compote --- a simple mix of melon cubes and berries of contrasting color (but don't repeat strawberry from 1st course)!.
Have a great time!Www@FoodAQ@Com
If your over 21 then this is it for you!
I personaly start of by setting the table with a white table cloth and silver silverwhere, and a vase with red roses or her favorite collored roses in the middle of the table (Not to big, you both want to see eachother)
Then the placeing of the silverwhere and the dinning plates!. 2 one big on the bottom for the main cource and one salad size on top!.
Have 3 glasses on each side!. One for water, and one for Red wine,and another for white wine (you can serve one wine if you prefer)
1st cource should be something light and refreshing, like a garden salad, or cesar, or a light soup!.
2nd cource is the main plate (Not dish (Not Proper)
What ever you like, Lamb, Beef, Chicken, etc
Serve it with rice, and vegies
3rd cource is desert
Chocolate Diped StrawbarrysWww@FoodAQ@Com
I personaly start of by setting the table with a white table cloth and silver silverwhere, and a vase with red roses or her favorite collored roses in the middle of the table (Not to big, you both want to see eachother)
Then the placeing of the silverwhere and the dinning plates!. 2 one big on the bottom for the main cource and one salad size on top!.
Have 3 glasses on each side!. One for water, and one for Red wine,and another for white wine (you can serve one wine if you prefer)
1st cource should be something light and refreshing, like a garden salad, or cesar, or a light soup!.
2nd cource is the main plate (Not dish (Not Proper)
What ever you like, Lamb, Beef, Chicken, etc
Serve it with rice, and vegies
3rd cource is desert
Chocolate Diped StrawbarrysWww@FoodAQ@Com
The table setting is the most important thing(you could have crackers & cheese)as long as the setting is in the mood!. There are places on line for settings!.If You are going to cook from scratch it is going to cost you a lot of dough!. So I would suggest a gourmet deli or a high class caterer , something you just add the finishing touches to, the sauce the glaze, the flambe, a torch on the desert!. I'm not a cook ,I am an Idea kn\ind of person so My thoughts are the mess is cleaned up except for the sauce pan and the finishing touched and you haven't even broken a sweat!. also you want it easy to cut and eat NO SPAGHITTI no splash and no runny stuff!. Soup from a gourmet deli add something!. dainty salad small bite size!.
ALL TRASH CONTAINERS OUTSIDE AND LOCKEDWww@FoodAQ@Com
ALL TRASH CONTAINERS OUTSIDE AND LOCKEDWww@FoodAQ@Com
Well if your going to decorate use a clean sheet for a tablecloth!. They are a lot cheaper than linens and doubled look pretty nice!. also, hit the dollar store for candles and holders!. All of this would be cheaper than the roses would cost you alone!.
also, think in terms of buying only what you need for the meal!. Generally the food is a little better quality as well!. Take the time and hit mongers and smaller stores!.
One of my guys favorite foods is some pizza we had in Rome!. I can't make the dough so I get a nice baguette toast on one side, flip, spread with some tampenade, a slice of tomato and a slice of fresh mozz cheese!. Right before I serve it I put on some nice basil!. Risotto would be a great second course for this!. Just buy 4 large prawns to place on top you have cooked so it looks pretty!. And don't forget to garnish with an herb that works well with your polenta flavoring!. For dessert use more of your baguette and toast up!. Spread with nutella and sliced fresh strawberries!. Sprinkle a little sugar on the top and broil until the sugar just begins to get brown!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
also, think in terms of buying only what you need for the meal!. Generally the food is a little better quality as well!. Take the time and hit mongers and smaller stores!.
One of my guys favorite foods is some pizza we had in Rome!. I can't make the dough so I get a nice baguette toast on one side, flip, spread with some tampenade, a slice of tomato and a slice of fresh mozz cheese!. Right before I serve it I put on some nice basil!. Risotto would be a great second course for this!. Just buy 4 large prawns to place on top you have cooked so it looks pretty!. And don't forget to garnish with an herb that works well with your polenta flavoring!. For dessert use more of your baguette and toast up!. Spread with nutella and sliced fresh strawberries!. Sprinkle a little sugar on the top and broil until the sugar just begins to get brown!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Cajun Chicken Pasta
This is really simple to make!.
You will need:
1 pound chicken
Mushrooms of your choice
1 pkg!. fresh linguine
1 quart heavy cream
cajun spice
Any extra's you may like (tomatoes, olives, you can even add shrimp)
Cube the chicken and sautee with mushrooms till cooked through (about 5 minutes, depending on how you cut your chicken)
Drain juices!.
Add heavy cream and heat!. It will thicken as it cooks!. Low heat people, it is cream, it will scorch!.
Now the spice is up to you!. Add to taste!. I throw in some cayenne for extra kick!.
Cook your fresh pasta and mix it all together!. Serve with french bread and a salad!.
Quick and delicious!.
(salad and a pie or cookies for dessert)Www@FoodAQ@Com
This is really simple to make!.
You will need:
1 pound chicken
Mushrooms of your choice
1 pkg!. fresh linguine
1 quart heavy cream
cajun spice
Any extra's you may like (tomatoes, olives, you can even add shrimp)
Cube the chicken and sautee with mushrooms till cooked through (about 5 minutes, depending on how you cut your chicken)
Drain juices!.
Add heavy cream and heat!. It will thicken as it cooks!. Low heat people, it is cream, it will scorch!.
Now the spice is up to you!. Add to taste!. I throw in some cayenne for extra kick!.
Cook your fresh pasta and mix it all together!. Serve with french bread and a salad!.
Quick and delicious!.
(salad and a pie or cookies for dessert)Www@FoodAQ@Com