Suggest me a good dinner for 2 (maybe 3)

[Foxworthy925]

Ok so a couple of you might remember like two weeks ago when I posted asking for a good crepe recipe because I was making breakfast for this one friend (girl obviously). Well that went pretty well: we both laughed, had fun, spent the whole morning together and got to get-to-know each other better. The only downside- I found out she has a boyfriend. LAME, especially because the guy she's going out with is a tool and she deserves more.
But anyways, I casually texted her two nights ago and she invited me back to her place to cook for her again. This time I think I'll try to prepare a nice dinner for us. Oh yeah, and there might be one other person there- her friend (another chick) who's visiting here from Romania . Well anyways, I need to decide what to make, so this is where you all come in. Any and all suggestions are welcome. I do enjoy cooking, and I do plan on making something that's hopefully slightly out-of-the-ordinary, and not just your average blah meal. Once again, any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Mingus]

Listen to your gut.

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by Foxworthy925

Ok so a couple of you might remember like two weeks ago when I posted asking for a good crepe recipe because I was making breakfast for this one friend (girl obviously). Well that went pretty well: we both laughed, had fun, spent the whole morning together and got to get-to-know each other better. The only downside- I found out she has a boyfriend. LAME, especially because the guy she's going out with is a tool and she deserves more.
But anyways, I casually texted her two nights ago and she invited me back to her place to cook for her again. This time I think I'll try to prepare a nice dinner for us. Oh yeah, and there might be one other person there- her friend (another chick) who's visiting here from Romania . Well anyways, I need to decide what to make, so this is where you all come in. Any and all suggestions are welcome. I do enjoy cooking, and I do plan on making something that's hopefully slightly out-of-the-ordinary, and not just your average blah meal. Once again, any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Make an exciting nice risotto make sure to include nutmeg, parmesan, and martini bianco, serve it with a nice fine sliced parma ham on a bed of rucola and sliced blood grape and some cherry tomatoes (in halfs) .. Drain with olive oil , and grate lots of parmesan on top of it.

Easy, cheap, and a FANTASTIC meal ...

( I rarely eat meat anymore, but when I find a nice good parma I really cant resist it).

Serve with a chianti or valpolicella ...


Good luck!

D.Don

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Mingus

Listen to your gut.

Hah. Good one.

I think some simple salmon recipe, roasted red potatoes, green salad and crunchy bread is perfect (assuming the intended victim likes fish). Don't forget dessert and vino.

[EricF]

The last "good" dinner I made was...
Crab risotto
Pepper-crusted filet mignon with a sundried-tomato demi-glace (f'ing excellent!)
Glazed carrots

Browsing the recipies at www.foodnetwork.com or www.allrecipies.com usually inspires ideas for me.

No vino for you for another 5 years

[jady]

Awwww Yeeeaaahhh!!!!!

[nutterisgo]

Mac and cheese with cheese whiz

[Foxworthy925]

^ugh, please don't make me vomit

[TheDarkReaver]

She sounds like quite the little adultress.

Make a beef madras curry or something, with pilau rice and garlic and coriander naan bread. Get the sauce out of a jar, it's easy to make and tastes yummy.

[Uncle Ernie]

Well, to start with, you don't want your friend's abode to smell of food for the next three weeks... that would rule out fish, curry and other spicy things. Next, you don't want to spend all the evening cooking... so no Boeuf Bourgignon or Cassoulet!

Italian seems safe, and you can have your sauce ready and just do the pasta thing, perhaps Lasagna alternating layers of meat sauce, ricotta cheese and pasta and topping it all with grated parmesan cheese for extra punch. Can you make Sushi?

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[Foxworthy925]

Originally Posted by D.Don

Make an exciting nice risotto make sure to include nutmeg, parmesan, and martini bianco, serve it with a nice fine sliced parma ham on a bed of rucola and sliced blood grape and some cherry tomatoes (in halfs) .. Drain with olive oil , and grate lots of parmesan on top of it.

Easy, cheap, and a FANTASTIC meal ...

( I rarely eat meat anymore, but when I find a nice good parma I really cant resist it).

Serve with a chianti or valpolicella ...


Good luck!

D.Don

Thanks for the suggestion D.Don. You always seem to have great advice for me when it comes to cooking for others.
Now for some questions...

-Making a nice risotto dish is a great idea. Hm, I'm not sure if she likes risotto though, or if she's ever even had it. Hey, now would be a great time to try something new then.

-If it were served with parma (prosciutto ?), then how would that be prepared? Just sliced and put on the arugula along with the risotto?

-What are blood grapes? Just red grapes? Should the grape/tomato concoction be dressed with or include anything else?

-When you say drain with olive oil, do you mean dress EVERYTHING in olive oil? Like everything on the plate (risotto, prosciutto, grapes/tomatoes, arugula)?

-Would you really recommend a red whine with this, even though white would be initially going into the cooking of the risotto?

I know these are rather ignorant questions. Thank you for all the help

[TheDarkReaver]

Martini Bianco isn't a wine per se, but I believe a Vermouth (which has wine in it.)

[FingeringAm]

make-your-own-sushi-bar
expensive as hell and youll prolly wake up in the middle of the night with a parasite but nothing says "i wanna bang you" like feeding her sushi with chopstiks

[Foxworthy925]

Originally Posted by EricF

The last "good" dinner I made was...
Crab risotto
Pepper-crusted filet mignon with a sundried-tomato demi-glace (f'ing excellent!)
Glazed carrots

That all sounds amazing

Originally Posted by EricF

No vino for you for another 5 years

lol, I think in this case, I might be able to persuade my folks into letting us enjoy a nice bottle of wine. Besides, how is one bottle of whine split between 3 people going to get anyone drunk?

[Foxworthy925]

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

She sounds like quite the little adultress.

How do you figure?

[Foxworthy925]

Originally Posted by Uncle Ernie

Well, to start with, you don't want your friend's abode to smell of food for the next three weeks... that would rule out fish, curry and other spicy things. Next, you don't want to spend all the evening cooking... so no Boeuf Bourgignon or Cassoulet!

Italian seems safe, and you can have your sauce ready and just do the pasta thing, perhaps Lasagna alternating layers of meat sauce, ricotta cheese and pasta and topping it all with grated parmesan cheese for extra punch. Can you make Sushi?

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

What's Cassoulet?

Italian seems to be where this is heading, but I think I'm slightly more inclined to go the risotto route.

Hm, I've never really tried making sushi before aside from two years ago in Marine Biology. That's something to consider though.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[peterbright]

Fish Tacos

Avocado Sauce

1 ripe avocado, peeled
Pinch of salt
Juice of 1 lime
1 to 2 tablespoons water or milk
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
Place the avocado, salt and lime juice in a small food processor. Add 1 tablespoon water or milk (for a slightly creamier consistency) and pulse. Add more liquid as necessary until sauce is the consistency of thick cream. Add the cilantro and pulse until just blended.

Mayonesa Secret Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoon water or milk
Place the mayonnaise in a small bowl and slowly stir in vinegar. Add water or milk until the sauce is thick and creamy.

Tacos

Serves 4-6 people

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
Pinch of cayenne
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano, rubbed to a powder (I did not have this so I used regular oregano and threw in some ground coriander)
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces cold beer, plus more to thin the batter if necessary
1-1/2 pounds firm, meaty white fish (halibut or tilapia will both work well)
Juice of 1 lime
Canola oil, for frying
Serve with:

6-inch corn tortillas, warmed (you can substitute flour tortillas, but the corn imparts a more authentic flavor)
Avocado sauce
Lime wedges
Mayonesa secret sauce
Salsa of your choice (tomato, tomatillo, or mango would all be good)
Finely shredded red cabbage
Cilantro leaves
1. For the batter, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic, cayenne, mustard, oregano and salt and pepper in a large bowl until well blended. Stir in the beer until there are no lumps. (The batter can be made several hours ahead and refrigerated.)

2. Cut fish into strips the size and shape of your index finger. Sprinkle with some lime juice and salt.

3. Pour oil into a deep, wide pan to the depth of 2 inches and heat over medium-heat to 350 degrees (if you have a deep-fry thermometer). Otherwise, test the heat by dropping a little bit of the batter into the oil. It should quickly bounce to the surface and be surrounded by tiny bubbles.

4. Pat the fish dry with paper towel. Check the thickness of the batter by dipping a piece of fish in it; it should be the consistency of medium-thick pancake batter, coating the fish easily and dripping very little. Add a little beer or water if it seems too thick.

5. Add a few pieces of fish to the batter. Using tongs, lightly swish each piece until thoroughly coated. Remove fish, letting excess batter drip into the bowl before gently placing in the hot oil. Cook a few pieces at a time until they float and the batter is set but still light in color, about 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Remove the fish to a wire rack to drain.

7. To serve, place the fried fish, warmed tortillas and condiments on a table so guests can make their own tacos. To assemble tacos, hold a tortilla in your hand, and spread a spoonful of avocado sauce on it. Place a piece of fried fish on top and sprinkle with a little lime juice. Drizzle with some mayonesa sauce, and top with shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, onion, and salsa.

[KeithBMI]

I just had a turkey sub, hot fries, and a Sobe.

[Eric Perry]

I have a killer recipe for seared sea scallops with a champagne vanilla butter sauce. It's a culinary panty remover!

If it's more a manly man type dinnner, how aboot sauteed pork chops with a friggin' incredible wild mushroom gravy with a side of roasted garlic mashed taters and citrus green beans?

[Marley's Ghost]

Chili is always a favorite when you are trying to impress a date.