food to impress the ladies.
Discussion
How about a simple penne pasta dish like this..
Simple tomato and bacon sauce with penne
Ingredients
150ml/5fl oz extra virgin olive oil
100g/3½oz pancetta or smoked bacon cut into strips
8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
a good pinch of chilli flakes, optional
a good pinch of sea salt
a good pinch of sugar
1 x 400g/14oz can tomatoes or 6 vine-ripened tomatoes
grated parmesan
Note: This recipe originally uses Australian measurements. Equivalent measurements are as accurate as possible.
Method
1. In a heavy based saucepan heat the oil and add the garlic, pancetta strips, chilli flakes, salt and sugar. Cook until soft but not coloured, approximately 3 minutes.
2. If using canned tomatoes put a knife into the open can and chop the tomatoes roughly. If using fresh tomatoes, blanch, peel and chop them. Add the tomatoes to the pan and simmer slowly for 15 minutes.
To serve
Serve with a quality durum wheat penne or other pasta, cooked al dente and shaved parmesan.
With a simply salad on the side...
Simple tomato and bacon sauce with penne
Ingredients
150ml/5fl oz extra virgin olive oil
100g/3½oz pancetta or smoked bacon cut into strips
8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
a good pinch of chilli flakes, optional
a good pinch of sea salt
a good pinch of sugar
1 x 400g/14oz can tomatoes or 6 vine-ripened tomatoes
grated parmesan
Note: This recipe originally uses Australian measurements. Equivalent measurements are as accurate as possible.
Method
1. In a heavy based saucepan heat the oil and add the garlic, pancetta strips, chilli flakes, salt and sugar. Cook until soft but not coloured, approximately 3 minutes.
2. If using canned tomatoes put a knife into the open can and chop the tomatoes roughly. If using fresh tomatoes, blanch, peel and chop them. Add the tomatoes to the pan and simmer slowly for 15 minutes.
To serve
Serve with a quality durum wheat penne or other pasta, cooked al dente and shaved parmesan.
With a simply salad on the side...
If you have a garden, how about BBQ? If not, perhaps try this: http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/moroccan-baked-...
I've cooked this before (without the Olives though - hate them!) and its really easy too. Once its in the oven you can relax until its done. Serve it on a serving plate and just help yourself.
I've cooked this before (without the Olives though - hate them!) and its really easy too. Once its in the oven you can relax until its done. Serve it on a serving plate and just help yourself.
Starter: chopped melon tossed in a spoonful of Drambuie
Main: A really good piece of fillet steak with home made potatoe wedges and a crisp salad
Dessert: Jamie Oliver's chocolate pots which are lush and any woman should like. And they're easy to do the day before.
All washed down with some nice prosecco.
I am a woman and would be very pleased with this little lot.
Main: A really good piece of fillet steak with home made potatoe wedges and a crisp salad
Dessert: Jamie Oliver's chocolate pots which are lush and any woman should like. And they're easy to do the day before.
All washed down with some nice prosecco.
I am a woman and would be very pleased with this little lot.
in general, women are impressed with the effort that you put into it. the food can be simple as long as its done well and presented nicely. prepare it as part of a 'night in' and you're onto a good thing.
i like to do something obvious for the first time i cook for 'the mrs' - a stew, pasta, curry etc. - as it has more impact if they are expecting average-ness.
3 recipes for you. i tend not to measure out ingredients so i have estimated them where unsure. if you need any pointers just ask, but all 3 are pretty foolproof.
LASAGNE:
for the bechamel sauce:
25g butter
25g flour
1 pint of milk
salt/pepper
make the bechamel first as if you cock it up you can retry and it'll keep until required. melt the butter in a saucepan until it starts to foam, then add the flour little by little and stir constantly over a low heat for 3-4mins. DONT LET IT GO BROWN!
whisk in the milk bit-by-bit, bring to boil, then simmer for 5-10mins until it thickens to a sauce. season and put to one side. if its lumpy you can pass it through a sieve. STIRRING = SUCCESS!
makes about a pint.
for the meat:
2 red onions - finely sliced
250g [?] lean minced beef
1 red pepper, finely sliced
small jar sun dried tomatoes, chopped
1 jar passata
mushrooms, sliced
'a clump' of fresh basil, finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
'about a glass' of good red wine
fry the onions and peppers until soft then add the mince and fry until browned. drain off any excess fat.
add the sundried toms and garlic. then add the wine and passata a bit of a time, tasting as you go until you are in taste heaven and get a good consistency. i usually make a massive lasagne so unsure of the quantities for 2 people. you can add a small knob of butter if you want a rich sauce.
then, add the basil and mushrooms and put to one side [mushies will cook in the oven].
additional items:
fresh lasagne sheets
grated mature cheddar
start with a layer of 'red' sauce, then a pasta layer. then go red-white-pasta-red-white-pasta-red-white and finish with the grated cheese. whack it in the over for 45mins at 200 and serve with a green salad and the rest of the wine.
sounds like a lot of ingredients but the result is well worthwhile, especially after a couple of attempts. if you double up you can feed yourself all week for pounds.
MUGHLAI BUTTER CHICKEN:
IME, the most lady friendly curry there is. its mild, thick and creamy and a bit different from the norm. super cheap too once you have the spices.
ingredients:
2 chicken breasts, diced
1 green pepper, diced
4 mushrooms, finely sliced
2 med red onions, superfinely sliced
[NB - most recipes don't call for the veg, you can just use more chicken if you like]
2 crushed garlic cloves
about an inch of ginger, minced [chop it finely and use the garlic press]
a cinnamon stick
4-5 cardamom pods, bruised
1tsp coriander powder
1tsp cumin powder
1tsp chilli powder
2tsp garam masala
[if you don't have them already, thats about £3-4 of spices for many many curries]
2 tbsp ground almonds [optional] - mashed to a paste [add a little water]
4tbsp butter or ghee
4-5 tbsp double cream
some tomato puree
lemon juice [optional]
method:
brown the chicken in some oil and put to one side. fry off the veg if you are using it and put to one side.
melt the butter, add all the spices and fry for one min. add the chicken/veg and coat everything in the spice mix
add the cream, almond paste and tomato puree. this should instantly create a thick ruch sauce so simply heat through and serve with rice & naan. you can add a dash of lemon juice at the end or serve it with a wedge. remember to remove the cinamon stick!
CHORIZO & BEAN STEW:
lovely, lovely stuff!
1 chorizo sausage [the horseshoe ones], peeled and sliced at an angle.
3-4 rashers bacon, chopped.
l large onion, finely sliced
1 jar roasted red peppers, drained & chopped
1 jar butter beans or cannelini beans
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 cloves garlic, crushed
half glass white wine
a can of chopped toms
2 tbsp tomato puree
1 tsp paprika
small bunch of chopped coriander
method: heat 1tbsp oil in a heavy casserole dish and add the cumin seeds. heat until fragrant then add the garlic and onion and fry until the onions are soft. add the bacon and chorizo until the chorizo crispens. add the wine and stir until the wine reduces in volume by half.
lower the heat and add the peppers, tomatoes, paprika and beans. season as required. simmer for 10 mins or put in the oven on a med. heat for half an hour. this gives a stewlike consistency, add more toms if you want a warming soup.
stir in the coriander and serve with a dollop of sour cream and some crusty bread.
i like to do something obvious for the first time i cook for 'the mrs' - a stew, pasta, curry etc. - as it has more impact if they are expecting average-ness.
3 recipes for you. i tend not to measure out ingredients so i have estimated them where unsure. if you need any pointers just ask, but all 3 are pretty foolproof.
LASAGNE:
for the bechamel sauce:
25g butter
25g flour
1 pint of milk
salt/pepper
make the bechamel first as if you cock it up you can retry and it'll keep until required. melt the butter in a saucepan until it starts to foam, then add the flour little by little and stir constantly over a low heat for 3-4mins. DONT LET IT GO BROWN!
whisk in the milk bit-by-bit, bring to boil, then simmer for 5-10mins until it thickens to a sauce. season and put to one side. if its lumpy you can pass it through a sieve. STIRRING = SUCCESS!
makes about a pint.
for the meat:
2 red onions - finely sliced
250g [?] lean minced beef
1 red pepper, finely sliced
small jar sun dried tomatoes, chopped
1 jar passata
mushrooms, sliced
'a clump' of fresh basil, finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
'about a glass' of good red wine
fry the onions and peppers until soft then add the mince and fry until browned. drain off any excess fat.
add the sundried toms and garlic. then add the wine and passata a bit of a time, tasting as you go until you are in taste heaven and get a good consistency. i usually make a massive lasagne so unsure of the quantities for 2 people. you can add a small knob of butter if you want a rich sauce.
then, add the basil and mushrooms and put to one side [mushies will cook in the oven].
additional items:
fresh lasagne sheets
grated mature cheddar
start with a layer of 'red' sauce, then a pasta layer. then go red-white-pasta-red-white-pasta-red-white and finish with the grated cheese. whack it in the over for 45mins at 200 and serve with a green salad and the rest of the wine.
sounds like a lot of ingredients but the result is well worthwhile, especially after a couple of attempts. if you double up you can feed yourself all week for pounds.
MUGHLAI BUTTER CHICKEN:
IME, the most lady friendly curry there is. its mild, thick and creamy and a bit different from the norm. super cheap too once you have the spices.
ingredients:
2 chicken breasts, diced
1 green pepper, diced
4 mushrooms, finely sliced
2 med red onions, superfinely sliced
[NB - most recipes don't call for the veg, you can just use more chicken if you like]
2 crushed garlic cloves
about an inch of ginger, minced [chop it finely and use the garlic press]
a cinnamon stick
4-5 cardamom pods, bruised
1tsp coriander powder
1tsp cumin powder
1tsp chilli powder
2tsp garam masala
[if you don't have them already, thats about £3-4 of spices for many many curries]
2 tbsp ground almonds [optional] - mashed to a paste [add a little water]
4tbsp butter or ghee
4-5 tbsp double cream
some tomato puree
lemon juice [optional]
method:
brown the chicken in some oil and put to one side. fry off the veg if you are using it and put to one side.
melt the butter, add all the spices and fry for one min. add the chicken/veg and coat everything in the spice mix
add the cream, almond paste and tomato puree. this should instantly create a thick ruch sauce so simply heat through and serve with rice & naan. you can add a dash of lemon juice at the end or serve it with a wedge. remember to remove the cinamon stick!
CHORIZO & BEAN STEW:
lovely, lovely stuff!
1 chorizo sausage [the horseshoe ones], peeled and sliced at an angle.
3-4 rashers bacon, chopped.
l large onion, finely sliced
1 jar roasted red peppers, drained & chopped
1 jar butter beans or cannelini beans
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 cloves garlic, crushed
half glass white wine
a can of chopped toms
2 tbsp tomato puree
1 tsp paprika
small bunch of chopped coriander
method: heat 1tbsp oil in a heavy casserole dish and add the cumin seeds. heat until fragrant then add the garlic and onion and fry until the onions are soft. add the bacon and chorizo until the chorizo crispens. add the wine and stir until the wine reduces in volume by half.
lower the heat and add the peppers, tomatoes, paprika and beans. season as required. simmer for 10 mins or put in the oven on a med. heat for half an hour. this gives a stewlike consistency, add more toms if you want a warming soup.
stir in the coriander and serve with a dollop of sour cream and some crusty bread.
dougc said:
Nurburgsingh said:
get your mum to make you something and then you can just heat it up before your ladyfriend arrives...
Girl: This is very nice! I didn't know you could cook?!
Techno: My mum made it.
Yep, that'll impress
unless he's a complete spanner!
She'll invariably be dieting so nothing too fatty or claggy:
Starter:
Grilled asparagus
Main:
Simple pasta with a light sauce (eg. puttanesca), Parmesan shavings over, and a big leafy salad to accompany
Dessert:
Fresh strawberries, with some chocolate for melting and dipping
The above is all in season and cheap, so you could splurge on a bottle of champagne to accompany.
Starter:
Grilled asparagus
Main:
Simple pasta with a light sauce (eg. puttanesca), Parmesan shavings over, and a big leafy salad to accompany
Dessert:
Fresh strawberries, with some chocolate for melting and dipping
The above is all in season and cheap, so you could splurge on a bottle of champagne to accompany.
Technonotice said:
bazking69 said:
Curry. Lay down the format at an early stage. If she doesn't do curry, move on.
I don't think she will be too impressed if I make her a chicken tika washed down with a warn can of Tennants super!
May go for a thai curry.
But if curry and lager binges are your forte like they are mine and any other red blooded male, I would make her aware at some point, as she will only find out your guilty habit eventually. Unless you gave it up and became a more couth character which frankly I would never do for any woman...
Nurburgsingh said:
dougc said:
Nurburgsingh said:
get your mum to make you something and then you can just heat it up before your ladyfriend arrives...
Girl: This is very nice! I didn't know you could cook?!
Techno: My mum made it.
Yep, that'll impress
unless he's a complete spanner!
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