Cooking/entertaining advice needed...

[ChefBilly]

Ever since we had our daughter a year ago, I try to make Friday Night Date Nights once in a while. The best one was a luau night last winter. We had inflatable palm trees, decorations... It was fun.

But now I committed to making tonight date night, and I'm stumped.

I don't necessarily need a theme, but I do want to impress my DW.
What's your specialty? What do you cook when you really want to impress someone?

I can always fall back on lobster, but it's not really all that out of the ordinary since we live where we do.

OK cooks, school me! I need something impressive.

Thanks!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

When I do something like this, I will make my DH's favorite meal which is meatloaf and mashed potatos with a spinach salad on the side. I also make a homemade apple pie (I got the recipe from his mom since it is his fave). Then I pull out my nice tablecloth and napkins, candles and wedding china and crystal. Somehow the "ordinary" meal feels special on good china.

If I am cooking for a crowd, I usually go for lasagna, fajitas or grill something.

Good luck and I hope you and your wife enjoy your date night.

 

[jx3smom]

An easy but nice dinner is shrimp scampi over linguini with some bread and a salad.

 

[ChefBilly]

Good advice...
BTW, I should add that my name - Chefbilly - is a misnomer. I hate to cook, and I rarely do.
I just had a really good time at Chef Mickey's one night.

 

[tkyes]

beef tenderloin, steamed asparagus, mashed potatoes...


beef tenderloin is easy to make too!

 

[debster812]

Billy,

I know this kind of goes with the Lobster being kind of non-special around these parts, but how about an indoor clambake?

Steamers
Lobsters
Corn
Sausages
Potatoes
Chowder

There are lots of online directions on how to do it on www.foodtv.com And just cover the kitchen or dining room table with newpaper or butcher paper and have at it!!

Especially with the weather turning chilly all of a sudden.

But...I also really like Tamie's idea too!!

 

[Bichon Barb]

Beef tenderloin or pork tenderloin.

I'll go with asparagus too.

Little red potatoes, slice in half, steam until tender, brush with olive oil, seasoned with salt, pepper, rosemary, whatever your heart desires.

If you are using the grill, I like to cut up sweet potatoes into cubes, sweet onions, red bell pepper, oil, seasonings, and put the mixture into an aluminum foil bag and throw it on the grill. It takes a while so make sure you have plenty of wine on hand . May I recommend a nice New York State Dry Reisling?

On the other hand, I don't know if this is your kind of thing, but my BIL once surprised my sister with a naked sushi party . Edited to add: That would be a naked sushi party for TWO!

 

[Bichon Barb]

I forgot, another Friday favorite for us is crab legs. Yummmmm! I like to cheat and buy a cold pasta side like peanut noodles or something and some good bread. Steaming the crab is better, because they don't fill with water and make a mess.

 

[SandraM]

Do you have a nice dessert in mind? I sometimes make a quick Baked Alaska which everyone always devours.
I use ready-made sponge cake and put it in the bottom of an ovenproof dish, pour a can of my favourite fruit over it, cover that with ice-cream and put it in the freezer before dinner.
After the main course I put the oven on very high, whip about 3 or 4 egg whites until they are stiff, then add 2 ounces of caster sugar per egg white. I beat that until it's so stiff I can turn the mixing bowl upside down, and then cover the sponge/fruit/ice cream with it. It goes into the oven for about 5 minutes, till the outside of the meringue lightly browns, and is eaten immediately.
If you want to make it look really spectacular, you can pour a little brandy over it and light it! Never fails to impress!

 

[powellrj]

my kids love it when we do snack night. I will fix several different snacks and we will have those for dinner. Ideas include shrimp cocktails, chicken wings, relish plate... Also a fondue night is always fun.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

What a great idea raejean. I have done the indoor picnic in front of the fireplace before. Big hit with the kids!

Chefbilly , what did you end up doing???

 

[CourtasanSatine]

There's always fancy looking takeout

 

[Megan's Mom]

Cornish hens are easly to fix and then a little wild rice.