Cooking a valentines meal...
Discussion
We tend to not go out for Valentines Day due to the hiked up costs and reduced quality of food and service/set menu etc.
We decided that this year we would cook. I'm in charge of main course and she's in charge of desert and starter. We decided that we wouldn't tell each other what we were cooking, chances are none of the courses will particularly match or complement each other but that's not a massive issue.
I've done the lovely steak thing to death but I still really want to use beef. Beef wellington is something i'd love to try but it's going to probably go wrong first time, so that's not really a good idea.
Something beefy and relatively easy would be best but I'm stumped. I considered just a traditional roast dinner (we are doing it on sunday due to her working patterns).
I just need some inspiration.
We decided that this year we would cook. I'm in charge of main course and she's in charge of desert and starter. We decided that we wouldn't tell each other what we were cooking, chances are none of the courses will particularly match or complement each other but that's not a massive issue.
I've done the lovely steak thing to death but I still really want to use beef. Beef wellington is something i'd love to try but it's going to probably go wrong first time, so that's not really a good idea.
Something beefy and relatively easy would be best but I'm stumped. I considered just a traditional roast dinner (we are doing it on sunday due to her working patterns).
I just need some inspiration.
If you like oriental food, why not try beef lettuce wraps with vegetable tempura and nasi goreng rice. Really easy and tastes great, also have a soy and chilli dip on the side.
If you've not made your own oriental recipes before it'll look like you made a special effort and extra brownie points too...
D_G said:
If you like oriental food, why not try beef lettuce wraps with vegetable tempura and nasi goreng rice. Really easy and tastes great, also have a soy and chilli dip on the side.
If you've not made your own oriental recipes before it'll look like you made a special effort and extra brownie points too...
Sounding good... Got a link?If you've not made your own oriental recipes before it'll look like you made a special effort and extra brownie points too...
Couple of suggestions which are a little time-consuming but not too difficult to prepare:-
- Sousoukakia (Greek meatballs) - prepping the meatballs and (at least partly) frying them off in a pan takes time, after that making the sauce and simmering it for 20-30mins isn't particularly difficult.
- Beef Bourgignon (sp?) or Goulash. Prep is pretty easy but cooking takes time - dust the frying/braising steak in flour, seasoning and some paprika if Goulash (hint - use a zip-loc bag, put stuff in, zip-up, shake up, open and remove - ready coated beef!), then fry-off with some onions and garlic, then in a large saucepan add (most of) the rest of the ingredients, cover with a lid and simmer very gently for ages and ages...adding the final bits in at the right time. Fold/semi-stir in some soured cream just before serving and voila...
- Sousoukakia (Greek meatballs) - prepping the meatballs and (at least partly) frying them off in a pan takes time, after that making the sauce and simmering it for 20-30mins isn't particularly difficult.
- Beef Bourgignon (sp?) or Goulash. Prep is pretty easy but cooking takes time - dust the frying/braising steak in flour, seasoning and some paprika if Goulash (hint - use a zip-loc bag, put stuff in, zip-up, shake up, open and remove - ready coated beef!), then fry-off with some onions and garlic, then in a large saucepan add (most of) the rest of the ingredients, cover with a lid and simmer very gently for ages and ages...adding the final bits in at the right time. Fold/semi-stir in some soured cream just before serving and voila...
Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated.
I'm far from capable in the kitchen. It's something I'd love to be good at but ultimately the stuff I do make it a mix of whatever I have in and if it tastes OK then it's a bonus.
However, she's gone to so much effort for the starter and desert that I feel like I need to do something special.
I've decided on Beef Wellington thanks to the highly informative post above and many recipes available on the net.
The OH loves pate and although complains that beef is her least favourite meat (it's my favourite) I have played it along the lines of "I wanted it to have both of our favourites in it, as its a special day" - and I quite like pate too!
Fingers crossed it goes well.
I'm far from capable in the kitchen. It's something I'd love to be good at but ultimately the stuff I do make it a mix of whatever I have in and if it tastes OK then it's a bonus.
However, she's gone to so much effort for the starter and desert that I feel like I need to do something special.
I've decided on Beef Wellington thanks to the highly informative post above and many recipes available on the net.
The OH loves pate and although complains that beef is her least favourite meat (it's my favourite) I have played it along the lines of "I wanted it to have both of our favourites in it, as its a special day" - and I quite like pate too!
Fingers crossed it goes well.
Beef Wellington isn't that difficult. You can even do individual Chicken (breast) Wellingtons- even easier as you don't want it rare anyway.scirocco265 said:
Sounding good... Got a link?
Sorry mate, have a book for most of this stuff or got it from mates...there are plenty of recipes on the net. If you do tempura then make sure the water is ice cold and the bowl you make it in is also in ice water.If you have the time do some of these, they are the best snack ever with beer!
http://www.blogd.com/archives/000197.html
Enjoy
Dave
Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff