Romantic meals?

[lewisipso]

Are any foods considered "romantic" or is it really just the atmosphere? Either way I'll take two "romantic meals" please. One from Bcup and Great if you are so inclined. I would like to surprise my wife with a "simple" but romantic meal just for the two of us. I am not a cook but I can follow a recipe so let me have it.
I thank you in advance.

[IMGreat101]

What range of flavors do you usually stick to?

I don't fall for the aphrodisiac food or drink, they may not be to your taste.

[lewisipso]

Literally open to suggestions.

[Buttercup]

I think it's the atmosphere that makes a meal romantic. The fact that you'll prepare it for her makes it even more so.

Let me give it a little thought...is there anything that you don't like (or that Mrs. Lew doesn't like)?

[Jenna]

What a sweet idea!

[IMGreat101]

Dijon vinaigrette dressing

1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
combine these and let set for 30 minutes

then add
1 Tbsp Dijion mustard
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
whisk together
add salt and pepper to taste

Buy a bag of salad mix at the store, anything that does not have iceberg lettuce.

Top with sliced tomato, red onion and pepperoncinis

[IMGreat101]

Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast served on wilted spinach. Rice pilaf and steamed fresh veggies

Season 2- 8 oz. boneless skinless chicken breasts on both sides with lemon pepper seasoning. Saute in 3 Tbsp butter on medium heat, 6-8 minutes per side. Take chicken out set aside. Place 1 whole bag of fresh spinach in saute pan and turn with tongs until just wilted (1-2 minutes)

veggies - you can buy a california blend in the freezer section of your grocery store, follow directions

rice pilaf - buy a good quality boxed mix that is for poultry (Uncle Ben's)

bread - buy a good quality hard roll that you can heat in the oven. Some packages have directions. Usually 5 minutes at 400 degrees.







Just trying to keep this simple so you can tend to the music, atmosphere and such. The pepperoncini and pepper in the seasoning should get your endorphins going. The smells and flavor of your cooking should get serotonin going.

The rest is up to you!

[IMGreat101]

Appetizer or Dessert options

App - Fresh fruit and champagne

Dessert - Fresh fruit and cheese with Tawny

[Autumn2009]

Hey Kai!!

This thread...

*wink*wink*

[pgg]

Well if she wants me to put out I really appreciate a steak with some king crab to go with it

[Car 4]

Well if she wants me to put out I really appreciate a steak with some king crab to go with it

And skip the oysters.....nothing romantic about moose snot!


Car 4

[pgg]

And skip the oysters.....nothing romantic about moose snot!


Car 4

Preach on brother!!!!

[Wolven]

Well if she wants me to put out I really appreciate a steak with some king crab to go with it

Who the hell are you kidding...you are a guy...you'll put out without steak and king crab

[lewisipso]

I think it's the atmosphere that makes a meal romantic. The fact that you'll prepare it for her makes it even more so.

Let me give it a little thought...is there anything that you don't like (or that Mrs. Lew doesn't like)?

Not necessarily. I'm personally not a fan of hot foods. Outside of that...

[IMGreat101]

Well if she wants me to put out I really appreciate a steak with some king crab to go with it

Who the hell are you kidding...you are a guy...you'll put out without steak and king crab

Wolven is wise in the ways of The Rooster

[Buttercup]

Not necessarily. I'm personally not a fan of hot foods. Outside of that...

Okay. There are a couple of things I'd suggest and will post separately. As IMGreat said, you want to keep it as simple as possible so you're not stressed out over the meal and you can create and enjoy the atmosphere. Also, you don't want to have to buy a bunch of things you'll never use again (or, not use again until your anniversary or next Valentine's Day). And you don't want to serve anything that will make your breath stink, seeing how it's a romantic meal and all.

[Buttercup]

Vinaigrette:

1/2 c apple cider vinegar
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp grated red onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/4c olive oil
1 apple, peeled and finely chopped
2-3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (if you like bleu cheese)
1 bag fresh baby spinach

Whisk first six ingredients together, let stand at least 30 minutes before serving.

Just before serving, put spinach into a large bowl and add dressing to taste, mixing it gently - keeping in mind that it's always easier to add more dressing later if necessary but you don't want to over-saturate the spinach. Put salad onto plates, sprinkle bacon, apple, and bleu cheese on top.

[Buttercup]

Preheat oven to 350.

(Recipe can be easily doubled)
2 bone-in pork loin chops
2 TBS honey
2 TBS brown sugar
2 TBS olive or vegetable oil
1 TBS soy sauce
Garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper


Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder onto chops (both sides). Add oil to a skillet, heat at medium high, brown chops on both sides and put them into a baking dish.

Blend the other ingredients together in a small bowl, pop it into the microwave for a few seconds or until the sugar is dissolved (or heat in a small pan). Brush or spread half of the soy/honey mixture onto the top of the chops.

Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, then turn chops and add soy/honey to the other side. Return chops to oven and bake for and additional 15-20 minutes.


You can serve that with mashed sweet potatoes seasoned only with butter, salt, and pepper, maybe a tiny bit of cinnamon and chili powder.

Take a look in a grocery store or Target/Walmart's freezer section and choose a vegetable blend that is colorful and will look good on the plate.

[Buttercup]

Preheat oven to 450.


2 salmon fillets
4 TBS lemon juice (or juice from 1 large lemon)
2 TBS melted butter
2 TBS olive oil
1 TBS fresh or 1 tsp dried parsley
1 TBS fresh or 1 tsp dried basil
Salt, pepper to taste


Sprinkle salt and pepper onto salmon. Combine other ingredients, pour half into baking dish (try to use as small a baking dish as possible). Add salmon (skin side down) to baking dish, pour the rest of the herb butter over the fillets. Bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes.

Note: If you use a fresh lemon for the lemon juice, you can cut a few thin slices and place them on top of each fillet before cooking.


This I would serve with rice pilaf (either packaged or frozen, to make it easier for you) and again, a colorful frozen vegetable blend that does not have the same vegetables that may be in the rice.

[Buttercup]

One pound cake
One carton of Haagen-Dazs Five Lemon (or any good quality brand of vanilla) ice cream
6-8 Strawberries
1 1/2 tsp sugar
Whipped cream
1 oz solid semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (or a Hershey's Special Dark candy bar)
One heart-shaped cookie cutter

A few hours before serving, slice the strawberries, place into a container and sprinkle the sugar over them. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Slice the pound cake into slices roughly 1/2"- 3/4" thick. If you have the cookie cutter, use it to cut a heart shape out of each slice. Place each slice on cake on a plate, add a small scoop of the ice cream, top with the strawberries and then the whipped cream, plating everything so the heart shape of the cake is visible. Use a grater to shave a little bit of chocolate over the dessert.

If you're feeling really brave () and you have Hershey's syrup in a squeeze bottle, carefully write the word "Love" along the rim or top of the plate (if there's room).