What should I make for Valentine's dinner tonight? [UPDATE] Got it, thanks...Menu inside!

[b0mbrman]

Yep...it's that time again. Food-making time! Anyhow, I agreed to cook dinner for my girlfriend. I know what the beginning and end of the meal are gonna be but don't have any idea of what to put in between...Anyone wanna help a guy out?

Here's the finished menu. I'll let you guys know how it turns out

(1) Rose petal salad (it's cool and tastes like a normal salad...at only twenty times the normal cost!)
(2) Sopa Parmesana with potatoes, chicken, and a bit of broccoli
(3) Chicken stuffed w/goat cheese, apricots, sage with a bit of spinach pasta with olive oil and a bit of salt and vegetables (maybe fried and maybe some fruit)
(4) Strawberries and a smaller tub o' melted chocolate

 

[Novgrod]

It would help if we knew what you had to work with, how much you'd spend, and if you have time to go to the store

 

[pamchenko]

someone told me that poinsetta salads are even better... look around the net

 

[NFS4]

Fish samich

 

[b0mbrman]

<< someone told me that poinsetta salads are even better... look around the net >>



It's not really the taste...basically, any salad tasted like paper mixed with the dressing and cheese you put on top.

It's just wicked cool seeing a bunch of rose petals on a plate and then eating them on Valentine's day...

 

[mpitts]

Order Chinese in.. That is what my wife wants to do.

 

[b0mbrman]

<< It would help if we knew what you had to work with, how much you'd spend, and if you have time to go to the store >>



Plenty of time to go to the store. I've got your basic guy food in my place: 6 pounds of hamburger meat, 4 pounds of mild italian sausage, 4 pounds of hot links, 6 pounds of chicken...

As for money, as long as I'm not buying solid gold potatoes, I should be okay .

 

[ryanontherocks]

We're celebrating w/ PIZZA!

Always a classy choice

 

Order pizza - say you'll pick it up instead of having it delivered, and tape some candy hearts and fake roses to the top of the box...

Seriously though - how about chicken parmesan and maybe some gazpacho - that's the "cold salsa" type soup, isn't it??

Mike

 

[Amused]

Don't you have to blow up your date first?

 

[SpecialEd]

how about a protein shake... my girl always love those....

 

[bunker]

Funny you guys should mention pizza. I told my wife I'd make her anything for dinner tonight and pizza's what she wanted (she's 8 months pregnant, those craving things). So, instead of something easy like steak, I've gotta go pick up all the crap to make a pizza tonight!

 

[ryanontherocks]

the chicken parmesan sounds good..but probably not with gazpacho if your into cold soups than the vichysoise would be better for that meal...If cold soups aren't your thing than nice thick brocolli soup is a very good choice.

Good Luck

 

[Novgrod]

Simple answers:

for a soup, go with something simple, like carrot or potato.

I recommend:

carrot soup

If you want to look cool (and I assume you do) put a dallop of sour cream on the top (or unsweetened wipped cream if you'd rather). Dill is a good spice with it. It'll score points on color and taste.

Other option is ministrone; you can make a beanless version that'll work just fine. Feel free to substitute any vegetables. Oh, and buy broth, don't make it

minestrone

For a main course, your best bets are chicken or pasta, or both.

I like
chicken kiev (forget the gd rabbit sauce)

more chicken

This one is really excellent. Remember: it's okay to cut corners.

If you're not good in the kitchen, it's hard to go wrong with a simple piece of chicken, floured and pan-grilled, with a side of pasta.

If you're going to make pasta sauce, get a can of tomatoes, some bell pepper, basil, oregano. Combine. Whatever you do, don't overcook the pasta. Everybody overcooks the pasta

For dessert your strawberry idea is, well . . . traditional.

If I were you, I'd make panna cotta mmm good


Couple other thoughts:

1) if you can get good fish, fish isn't so heavy at all. Just don't screw it up by doing too much to it

2) if I were you, I'd forget the rose petal salad

 

[Lalakai]

Considering that strawberries and chocolate are the ending, you had better consider staying away from "strong" and heavy foods (garlic/spaghetti, fish, chili, ect..). If it's more informal, look at finger type foods: stuffed mushrooms, twice baked potatoes, chicken breast (cut into size of pencil and about 2" long, roll in egg then cracker crumbs, and slowly fry in butter), meat or cheese fondue, iced shrimp, ect..

As a transition into the strawberries, go for something lighter but not bulky. Pick up some spinach noodles and eat them with light butter and parmasian cheese, some fried zuccanii, or possibly some other fruits (sliced apples, frozen blueberries ).

really depends on what her choices are and at what level you want to present the meal (very formal - very informal).

let us know how it goes.

 

[jamison]

Make lemon chicken and cut a heart shape out of the lemon and put it on top of the chicken.

(How did I think of that? I may just be going crazy)

 

[b0mbrman]

<< Order pizza - say you'll pick it up instead of having it delivered, and tape some candy hearts and fake roses to the top of the box...
Seriously though - how about chicken parmesan and maybe some gazpacho - that's the "cold salsa" type soup, isn't it??
Mike >>



Mmmm...I make a good parmesan soup. It might be interesting to add a bit of chicken to it



<< Don't you have to blow up your date first? >>



That's what it might look like...but that's after dinner anyway



<< If cold soups aren't your thing than nice thick brocolli soup is a very good choice. >>




<< for a soup, go with something simple, like carrot or potato. >>



Hmmm...how about this: chicken parmesan w/a bit of potato for thickness and brocolli for color?



<< If you're not good in the kitchen, it's hard to go wrong with a simple piece of chicken, floured and pan-grilled, with a side of pasta. >>



I'm actually pretty decent in the kitchen if I do say so myself I like the goat cheese chicken though...



<< 1) if you can get good fish, fish isn't so heavy at all. Just don't screw it up by doing too much to it >>



Hmmm...fish isn't a very "social food" if you know what I mean.



<< Considering that strawberries and chocolate are the ending, you had better consider staying away from "strong" and heavy foods >>



We're not gonna eat *too* many strawberries...They're expensive up the wahoo since they're out of season...Also, I like your idea of spinach pasta...haven't done that before. I'll use that as a side-dish for the chicken. And you can never go wrong w/mixed vegetables

 

[jfall]

<< Order pizza - say you'll pick it up instead of having it delivered, and tape some candy hearts and fake roses to the top of the box...
Seriously though - how about chicken parmesan and maybe some gazpacho - that's the "cold salsa" type soup, isn't it??
Mike >>



I swear, It's Not Delivery, It's DiGiornos!