First meal date - ideas please



[email protected] wrote:

> I was wondering whether anybody can help me. In the near future, I
> shall be cooking a meal (for the first time) for a very special lady.
> The thing is, I am no expert at this type of thing, and I have no idea
>
> about what to cook for her. She tells me that she is "not fussy" and
> will eat "just about anything" - which leaves the ball very firmly in
> my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something uninteresting
>
> like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality. Have any of you
> any suggestions as to what I can cook - or more importantly what not
> to? I can do my bit in the kitchen, but sadly I'm used to the
> bachelor
> way of doing it!

A variation on 'sole meuniere aux champignons' might be suitable.

Take 1 or 2 fillets of sole per person, season and cover with raw sliced
button mushrooms and cook covered in a 250 -300 degree (i forget what
'regulo' this would be) oven for about 10 - 15 minutes. The low temp
allows the mushrooms to release their water and poach the fish. Serve
with a bit of chopped parsley and beurre noisette - hazel nut butter (or
beurre noire - browned butter, also beurre a la maitre d' hotel or
beurre a la meuniere are good) and a bit of sliced lemon on the side.

The original recipe calls for seasoning and coating the fish in flour
then pan frying in butter and when ready to serve covering with
mushrooms sautéed in butter and placed on top of the fish and then
sprinkle with chopped parsley.

serve this with some steamed or lightly blanched cauliflower that is
finished in butter, garlic and lemon juice with a good grinding of fresh
black pepper, perhaps a pommes anna or even substitute fresh peas for
the cauliflower.

A simple green salad with a vinaigrette and for desert a scoop of
vanilla ice cream layered with some crushed pineapple and strawberries
and topped with a bit of freshly whipped cream (fraises Sarah
Bernhardt).

I would serve a good champagne throughout the meal.

If you wanted appetizers a nice cheese tray with some bread and crackers
and sliced meats and olives and a wine of choice, i would suggest vins
du Rhine with the hors d'oeuvres.

Let me know if you want something simpler or more complex, a rose ice
cream is lovely but a bit of work. A chicken with a shrimp stuffing is
easy and very good, steak diane, chicken Williamsburg, chicken
Provençal, veal cordon blue is a favourite and can be made with chicken
instead of veal, stuffed pork chops, eggplant parmesan etc.

Of course for a 'romantic' dinner, set and setting can be as important
as the food itself, good china, silver, candles, linen etc. Mood music,
a quite room, if you have a fireplace and can rearrange furniture to set
up a table near would be very nice, assuming your UK evenings are a bit
cool this time of year.

Have dinner at home and then perhaps go out to a club or theatre after?
This eliminates any problems with washing up after.

If you would like any further information about anything i have
mentioned (recipes, preparation etc.) just ask.
---
Joseph Littleshoes
 
Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] wrote:
>
>
>>my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something uninteresting
>>like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality.
>
>
> Save originality for your bedroom adventures. Make something tasty that
> you're comfortable cooking. If she's worth the effort and you hit it
> off, there'll be time enough for originality. I'd love a well-prepared
> pasta dish. Something that's not too messy to eat, perhaps. JMO. A
> nice green salad, good bread. Good dessert. Enjoy the evening.

Agreed even though you are a little bad with the bedroom adventures ;)
I would tend to be very conservative unless you know exactly what she
likes.. For example, DH is a real foodie and he is an absolute treat to
cook for BUT he doesn't care for heavily spiced foods. I love spicy
foods so I compromise by making some of whatever I'm cooking spicier for
myself but less spicy for DH. This is one of those things you learn
about others over years of living together and yes we are married so I
can't just toss him out even though I never would anyway. He's the best
taste tester I have ;) I like the idea of a nice pasta dish lightly
seasoned and served with a tossed salad maybe with a homemade
viniagrette and I would toss in homemade bread or at the very least a
couple of nice store bought crusty rolls. Top the pasta with fresh
ground parmesan and she will be putting in your hand. I'd use a nice
red wine and something lighter for desert. I'd be tempted to just serve
vanilla ice cream so as to not over power the dinner. Oh and I always
like nice quiet dinner music while I'm eating. It's a girl or at least
a me thing.

To the OP - I hear girls are really into Harry Potter right now so you
might choose HP & the Sorcer's Stone as you're first cool movie. From
experience it is very good! I'd forgoe the icecream if you plan on
popcorn smothered with butter & salt later :)
 
Thanks for all that - very entertaining stuff! The gist does seem to
be to do something that I'm used to doing (and yes I am a dab hand in
the kitchen), rather than to try something complicated and make a pig's
ear of it. I have one or two thoughts that I'll run by the lady
concerned, and then I'll take it from there. But thanks for all your
contributions so far folks - and do keep them coming. I can try the
more complicated examples later in the relationship - if that's how it
pans out. Alan S - you've definitely given me some "food for thought"
there!! Cheers all.
 
Sheldon wrote:

> I left an impression, eh?
>
> Sheldon

Oooooh Sheldon.. I'm sure you have better taste than that one... ::shiver::
 
In article <[email protected]>, ~patches~
<[email protected]> wrote:

> Melba's Jammin' wrote:
>
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > [email protected] wrote:
> >
> >
> >>my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something uninteresting
> >>like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality.
> >
> >
> > Save originality for your bedroom adventures. Make something tasty
> > that you're comfortable cooking. If she's worth the effort and you
> > hit it off, there'll be time enough for originality. I'd love a
> > well-prepared pasta dish. Something that's not too messy to eat,
> > perhaps. JMO. A nice green salad, good bread. Good dessert.
> > Enjoy the evening.

>
> Agreed even though you are a little bad with the bedroom adventures ;)

Honey, I try to be a realist. :) Gotta adapt or become extinct. BTW,
I wasn't meaning to suggest that the bedroom adventures begin after this
meal. I wonder how deep I can dig this hole? :-/

> couple of nice store bought crusty rolls. Top the pasta with fresh
> ground parmesan and she will be putting in your hand.


<coughchokesputter> And what EXACTLY will she be "putting" in his hand,
patches? Eh? I'll bet you meant to say puDDing. ROTFL!
--
-Barb, <http://www.jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 9-26-05
 
Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>, ~patches~
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>Melba's Jammin' wrote:
>>
>>
>>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>>[email protected] wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something uninteresting
>>>>like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality.
>>>
>>>
>>>Save originality for your bedroom adventures. Make something tasty
>>>that you're comfortable cooking. If she's worth the effort and you
>>>hit it off, there'll be time enough for originality. I'd love a
>>>well-prepared pasta dish. Something that's not too messy to eat,
>>>perhaps. JMO. A nice green salad, good bread. Good dessert.
>>>Enjoy the evening.
>
>
>>Agreed even though you are a little bad with the bedroom adventures ;)
>
>
> Honey, I try to be a realist. :) Gotta adapt or become extinct. BTW,
> I wasn't meaning to suggest that the bedroom adventures begin after this
> meal. I wonder how deep I can dig this hole? :-/
>
>
>>couple of nice store bought crusty rolls. Top the pasta with fresh
>>ground parmesan and she will be putting in your hand.
>
>
>
> <coughchokesputter> And what EXACTLY will she be "putting" in his hand,
> patches? Eh? I'll bet you meant to say puDDing. ROTFL!

err, a little slip of the tongue. That was meant to be *putty* not
putting or pudding BUT I am blushing ;)
 
"~patches~" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Melba's Jammin' wrote:
>
>>
>> <coughchokesputter> And what EXACTLY will she be "putting" in his
>> hand, patches? Eh? I'll bet you meant to say puDDing. ROTFL!
>
> err, a little slip of the tongue. That was meant to be *putty* not
> putting or pudding BUT I am blushing ;)

A little slip of the tongue might go over very well indeed! ;-)
 
"~patches~" <[email protected]> wrote

> Melba's Jammin' wrote:
>
>> In article ~patches~ <[email protected]> wrote:

>>>couple of nice store bought crusty rolls. Top the pasta with fresh
>>>ground parmesan and she will be putting in your hand.

>> <coughchokesputter> And what EXACTLY will she be "putting" in his hand,
>> patches? Eh? I'll bet you meant to say puDDing. ROTFL!
>
> err, a little slip of the tongue. That was meant to be *putty* not
> putting or pudding BUT I am blushing ;)

(giggling) Dinner must be *real* interesting at patches' house.

nancy
 
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks for all that - very entertaining stuff! The gist does seem to
> be to do something that I'm used to doing (and yes I am a dab hand in
> the kitchen), rather than to try something complicated and make a pig's
> ear of it. I have one or two thoughts that I'll run by the lady
> concerned, and then I'll take it from there. But thanks for all your
> contributions so far folks - and do keep them coming. I can try the
> more complicated examples later in the relationship - if that's how it
> pans out. Alan S - you've definitely given me some "food for thought"
> there!! Cheers all.
>
Absolutely go with what you know and are comfortable with. Don't worry
about if it's "just pasta" - you can do some pretty fantastic things simply
with pasta and not spend all the time fussing over a stove or a grill or
whatever. If she likes seafood, you might think of a shrimp and crab
linguini dish with a cream sauce topped with grated Parmesan. Serve it with
some hot crusty bread, warmed olive oil with some dried herbs (oregano or
marjoram, basil) in it and cracked black pepper for dipping the bread in and
a crisp chilled white wine.

Atmosphere is everything and it sounds like you would like to impress this
lady. Have a vase of flowers on the table and candles. Music in the
background... something subtle; we aren't talking Metallica here! Good
luck!

Jill
 
Joseph Littleshoes wrote:
> >
> Take 1 or 2 fillets of sole per person, season and cover with raw sliced
> button mushrooms and cook.

<miles and miles of inane halucination snipped>

Yikes... mushrooms with seafood is a thousand times worse than cheese
with seafood.

You're extremely verbose but that's it... you haven't an iota of
culinary acumen... you may have little shoes but I bet you wear a huge
hat. I'm sure you're another WOP. You could become a data input
specialist but never a cook.

Sheldon
 
jmcquown wrote:
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Thanks for all that - very entertaining stuff! The gist does seem to
> > be to do something that I'm used to doing (and yes I am a dab hand in
> > the kitchen), rather than to try something complicated and make a pig's
> > ear of it. I have one or two thoughts that I'll run by the lady
> > concerned, and then I'll take it from there. But thanks for all your
> > contributions so far folks - and do keep them coming. I can try the
> > more complicated examples later in the relationship - if that's how it
> > pans out. Alan S - you've definitely given me some "food for thought"
> > there!! Cheers all.
> >
> Absolutely go with what you know and are comfortable with. Don't worry
> about if it's "just pasta" - you can do some pretty fantastic things simply
> with pasta and not spend all the time fussing over a stove or a grill or
> whatever. If she likes seafood, you might think of a shrimp and crab
> linguini dish with a cream sauce topped with grated Parmesan. Serve it with
> some hot crusty bread, warmed olive oil with some dried herbs (oregano or
> marjoram, basil) in it and cracked black pepper for dipping the bread in and
> a crisp chilled white wine.
>
> Atmosphere is everything and it sounds like you would like to impress this
> lady. Have a vase of flowers on the table and candles. Music in the
> background... something subtle; we aren't talking Metallica here! Good
> luck!

All's really necessary is a big ole slab o' colby, a box of Ritz,
Champagne... and a bath. Good idea to put on fresh undies and fresh
linens on the bed too... those raunchy ****-stained rags you've been
sleeping in for three weeks will negate even the fanciest schmanciest
dinner. Decent gals are impressed with cleanliness... dust, vacuum,
polish your furniture, windex all glass. Disinfect yer terlit and
scrub the tar stains off your bath tub, have clean fluffy towels, fresh
soap, a new in-the-box toothbrush, last thing you want displayed is an
extra used toothbrush (even if it's yours, she'll never believe you use
two)... which reminds me, make sure you've been to the dentist within
the last four months... decent wimmen aren't impressed that you rely on
sanitizing your mouth daily with dago red.

Get rid of all the pictures of your exes... shoulda been burned a long
time ago... 'specially those you snuck of them sleeping nekid... and
about that 8 x 10 on top of the TV you took through the glass shower
door of your sister... you'd be far better off with serving a fistful
of slim jims and a six pack... but she is cute all pressed up against
the glass. hehe

Sheldon
 
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I was wondering whether anybody can help me. In the near future, I
> shall be cooking a meal (for the first time) for a very special lady.
> The thing is, I am no expert at this type of thing, and I have no idea
> about what to cook for her. She tells me that she is "not fussy" and
> will eat "just about anything" - which leaves the ball very firmly in
> my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something uninteresting
> like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality. Have any of you
> any suggestions as to what I can cook - or more importantly what not
> to? I can do my bit in the kitchen, but sadly I'm used to the bachelor
> way of doing it!

Pasta uninteresting? Only if the imagination is also.

How about a stir fry, with egg noodles, choose your veggies well - make it
/colourful/ as well as flavourful (like if using sweet peppers, don't use
all one colour etc.), use a VERY hot wok (smoking oil!) and don't over-do
the veggies, for meat I'd go with good, large prawns, fresh if at all
possible. Pick your sauce - plain soy, oyster sauce, black bean, invent a
mixture - whatever boats your float. Quite quick and simple to make, vibrant
to look at, and delicious (if you don't cook the veggies to limpness and/or
the prawn/shrimp to rubber).



I can't be bothered thinking any more!



Shaun aRe
 
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks for all that - very entertaining stuff! The gist does seem to
> be to do something that I'm used to doing (and yes I am a dab hand in
> the kitchen), rather than to try something complicated and make a pig's
> ear of it. I have one or two thoughts that I'll run by the lady
> concerned, and then I'll take it from there. But thanks for all your
> contributions so far folks - and do keep them coming. I can try the
> more complicated examples later in the relationship - if that's how it
> pans out. Alan S - you've definitely given me some "food for thought"
> there!! Cheers all.


Here's a good idea for pasta if you both like hot/spicy food - goes great
after a cool salad starter and before an iced desert: -

Just a pasta with a spiced tomato sauce, well herbed with oregano and plenty
of FRESH basil (reserve some for garnish). For the sauce I'd start with
plenty of finely diced red onion and garlic sautéed with finely sliced
(whole rings) hot chiles to your taste (if you can find red and green, a
mixture looks good), juliennes of yellow capsicum, sliced Italian raw cured
spicy sausage of some sort but good stuff, add that for a couple minutes
before adding the tomato, when the peppers are still not quite cooked (I'd
make this with a smooth sieved tomato paste - passata - I ain't gonna spend
hours cooking down fresh tomatoes to have it taste no where near as good)
lots of fresh cracked black pepper, 1/4tsp ground ginger or if you have
fresh, about 1/2 tsp finely grated, give it a few minutes to cook all
through but don't make the peppers etc. cook until all soft. Serve that over
your preferred pasta - I like this with shell types that hold the sauce.
garnish with ripped fresh basil. Grate a bunch fresh Parmesan into a bowl
and bring to the table with the pepper etc. Wine is your choice, but I'd go
with something well tannined and robust for my tastes.



Shaun aRe - sorry I don't have a recipe because I almost never use them.
 
"Sheldon" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> [email protected] wrote:
>> I was wondering whether anybody can help me. In the near future, I
>> shall be cooking a meal (for the first time) for a very special lady.
>> The thing is, I am no expert at this type of thing, and I have no idea
>> about what to cook for her. She tells me that she is "not fussy" and
>> will eat "just about anything" - which leaves the ball very firmly in
>> my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something uninteresting
>> like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality. Have any of you
>> any suggestions as to what I can cook - or more importantly what not
>> to? I can do my bit in the kitchen, but sadly I'm used to the bachelor
>> way of doing it!
>
> Champagne
> Salad
> Champagne
> Porterhouse
> Baked potato
> Champagne
> Pistachios
> Chocolate
> Champagne
>
>
> Sheldon

Ohhh... I want some and you still won't get any ;)

Michael

--
Send email to dog30 at charter dot net
 
"kilikini" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> "Sheldon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> kilikini wrote:
>> > "Sheldon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> > news:[email protected]...
>> > >
>> > > [email protected] wrote:
>> > > > I was wondering whether anybody can help me. In the near
>> > > > future, I shall be cooking a meal (for the first time) for a
>> > > > very special
> lady.
>> > > > The thing is, I am no expert at this type of thing, and I have
>> > > > no
> idea
>> > > > about what to cook for her. She tells me that she is "not
>> > > > fussy"
> and
>> > > > will eat "just about anything" - which leaves the ball very
>> > > > firmly
> in
>> > > > my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something
> uninteresting
>> > > > like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality. Have any
>> > > > of you any suggestions as to what I can cook - or more
>> > > > importantly what not to? I can do my bit in the kitchen, but
>> > > > sadly I'm used to the
> bachelor
>> > > > way of doing it!
>> > >
>> > > Champagne
>> > > Salad
>> > > Champagne
>> > > Porterhouse
>> > > Baked potato
>> > > Champagne
>> > > Pistachios
>> > > Chocolate
>> > > Champagne
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Sheldon
>> > >
>> >
>> > I like your menu Sheldon, but somewhere in there you should open up
>> > a
> bottle
>> > of champagne!
>> >
>> > kili
>>
>> Hehe, you gotta pop my cork. ;)
>>
>> Sheldon
>>
>
> ROFL - Damn, I should have thought of that first! :~)
>
> kili
>
>

Lard woman! What is with you these days? First it's heat and stamina in abf
and now cork popping in rfc. What's the world coming to ;)

Michael

--
Send email to dog30 at charter dot net
 
[email protected] wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> I was wondering whether anybody can help me. In the near future, I
> shall be cooking a meal (for the first time) for a very special lady.
> The thing is, I am no expert at this type of thing, and I have no idea
> about what to cook for her. She tells me that she is "not fussy" and
> will eat "just about anything" - which leaves the ball very firmly in
> my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something uninteresting
> like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality. Have any of you
> any suggestions as to what I can cook - or more importantly what not
> to? I can do my bit in the kitchen, but sadly I'm used to the bachelor
> way of doing it!
>

I would keep it simple and tasty with a liberal amount of alcohol. Spinach
salad or maybe a nice fall soup to start. I would go with beef, steak is
the most likely choice. A seasoned pork tenderloin (easy recipe follows)
would do nicely also. Pick a wine to go with dinner and maybe have a few
cocktails before dinner with some parmesan crisps or other tasty little
nibble. Sides would be easy. Baked potato for the steak, garlic mashed or
maybe mashed turnips with the pork and some steamed asparagus for either
meat. If you really want easy, take root veggies, thick slices of seasonal
veggies and slice 'em about the same size. Woosh 'em around in some olive
oil, S&P, whatever herb you like, and roast 'em. Or just do rosemary
roasted potatos for either beef or pork. Dessert is definitely champagne
or or after dinner liquor with whatever floats your boat <G>. Oh... make
sure the table setting is nice and have some candles and fresh flowers on
the table. Most importantly, relax and enjoy the lady's company.

Michael <- would do baked brie and apples for dessert

--
Send email to dog30 at charter dot net
 
OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> jake <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>[email protected] wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I was wondering whether anybody can help me. In the near future, I
>>>shall be cooking a meal (for the first time) for a very special lady.
>>>The thing is, I am no expert at this type of thing, and I have no idea
>>>about what to cook for her. She tells me that she is "not fussy" and
>>>will eat "just about anything" - which leaves the ball very firmly in
>>>my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something uninteresting
>>>like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality. Have any of you
>>>any suggestions as to what I can cook - or more importantly what not
>>>to? I can do my bit in the kitchen, but sadly I'm used to the bachelor
>>>way of doing it!
>>>
>>
>>Whatever you dom, chocolate mousse for dessert. store bought is fine as
>>long as you get a qualtiy brand (maybe try it first). Do serve it such a
>>way that you can't tell it was fro the store.
>>
>>Do keep things easy for yourself. I've been known to get tto ambitious
>>and awanting to impress through my cooking that I became bvad at
>>conversation and being attentive (which is they key, really).
>>
>>
>>And I'd stay away for very heavy meals, she might be watching het diet
>>(,lotsa women do). So maybe an easy salad with vainaigrette (oil +
>>vingar+ a touch of mustard), steak and bread or potatoes. I'd get easy
>>starters form the storem, too. Marinated artichoeks, olives, sun blushed
>>tomatoes, things like that.
>>
>>If you find getting all the foods reay at the same time complivated,
>>consider baked dishes. Maybe lasagne and salad?
>
>
> Chocolate is an aphrodesiac..... (sp?)

or a substitute. Or so I'm told.
 
"Dog3" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "kilikini" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> >
> > "Sheldon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >>
> >> kilikini wrote:
> >> > "Sheldon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >> > news:[email protected]...
> >> > >
> >> > > [email protected] wrote:
> >> > > > I was wondering whether anybody can help me. In the near
> >> > > > future, I shall be cooking a meal (for the first time) for a
> >> > > > very special
> > lady.
> >> > > > The thing is, I am no expert at this type of thing, and I have
> >> > > > no
> > idea
> >> > > > about what to cook for her. She tells me that she is "not
> >> > > > fussy"
> > and
> >> > > > will eat "just about anything" - which leaves the ball very
> >> > > > firmly
> > in
> >> > > > my court. However, I'm sure that if I provide something
> > uninteresting
> >> > > > like pasta, she'll think I'm devoid of originality. Have any
> >> > > > of you any suggestions as to what I can cook - or more
> >> > > > importantly what not to? I can do my bit in the kitchen, but
> >> > > > sadly I'm used to the
> > bachelor
> >> > > > way of doing it!
> >> > >
> >> > > Champagne
> >> > > Salad
> >> > > Champagne
> >> > > Porterhouse
> >> > > Baked potato
> >> > > Champagne
> >> > > Pistachios
> >> > > Chocolate
> >> > > Champagne
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > Sheldon
> >> > >
> >> >
> >> > I like your menu Sheldon, but somewhere in there you should open up
> >> > a
> > bottle
> >> > of champagne!
> >> >
> >> > kili
> >>
> >> Hehe, you gotta pop my cork. ;)
> >>
> >> Sheldon
> >>
> >
> > ROFL - Damn, I should have thought of that first! :~)
> >
> > kili
> >
> >
>
> Lard woman! What is with you these days? First it's heat and stamina in
abf
> and now cork popping in rfc. What's the world coming to ;)
>
> Michael
>

I have no idea! :~)

kili
 
In article <[email protected]>,
jake <[email protected]> wrote:

> > Chocolate is an aphrodesiac..... (sp?)
>
> or a substitute. Or so I'm told.

If you get the right brand, Lindts for instance, it's better. ;-)
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-*****." -Jack Nicholson
 
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