I need some suggestions for a romantic meal that I can prepare earlier in the day. Next Wednesday is the 20th anniversary of my and DH's first date. I don't necessarily expect that he'll remember, but I want to make it a special day for him because he won't be expecting it. I plan on having his secretary plant a few gifts in his office during the day. Since it is a Wed., he'll have church that night and won't get home until about 8:30 or 9:00. I also start my first class of the new semester that night and I work a 1/2 day on Wed., plus we have a staff mtg and a speech mtg, so I'll only be home from about 2:00-4:30 with a trip to pick up the kids in the meantime and home from class and church at about 7:30. I was thinking about making chicken cordon bleu or chicken parmesan which I could fry earlier and then bake in the oven right before I serve it since they both have to be baked anyway. And..I'll make a cheesecake for dessert. I can make some stuff (like the cheesecake) on Tuesday night. What are some delicious, visually appealing, and not too complex sides to prepare? DH is big into the presentation of food (he just showed me a photo blog of a single guy who makes his meals quite a work of art), so I really want to make it look like he's eating at Emeril's. We will eat on the china by candlelight of course. TIA!

By Kaye on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 12:42 am:

Really it is all about presentation and less about the food! I will think of food ideas. But if you do cheese cake, take chocolate and drizzle it on the plate and then put in the fridge, this looks elegant, add some chocolate shavings. This can be done well in advance and then you just toss it together. What about doing little red potatos in the crockpot? You could let them cook for awhile, then put them individually on a plate and garnish with greens on top. Another nice looking veggie is bundle beans. you take whole green beans, wrap with half a piece of bacon, and bake (you can add a brown sugar sauce to make them extra yummy).

By Pixie on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 12:44 am:

Green Beans or Asparagus Almondine, very simple, visually appealing, green beens would probably be a tid bit easier. Glazed Carrots. French Onion Soup, simple - could be kept warm in a crock pot and easily ladled into bowls and garnished with cheese. (might even be able to find a recipe specifically for a crockpot) A simple salad with fresh greens, walnuts (spiced if possible), gorgonzola, maybe a grape tomato,sliced mushrooms or red onion with a balsamic vinigrette - since none of those items need cut or anything. French Bread store bought with a dipping oil - bought or homemade.

Now I really could be wrong here but I think if you searched (google) for the right methods you might be able to make and freeze your chicken dishes a few days in advance rather than just that day.

If your DH is into presentation make sure to grab some fresh herbs or maybe some lemon to garnish, or fresh mint for the cheesecake.

Good Luck with it! I have so much fun with food!! You'll have to let us know how it goes, that is so fun!

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 07:22 pm:

An easy glaze for carrots is a good dollop of marmalade, and it is a wonderful taste. I use the fresh mini-carrots from the supermarket, and I'd put a couple of sprigs of mint on the side for presentation.

I also saw a wonderful salad on a TV show last week - get some beefsteak type tomatoes, slice them almost but not to the bottom, with the slices about 1/2" apart, slip in thin slices of mozzarella cheese (the round kind, about the same size as the tomatos) in the cuts, drizzle a seasoned olive oil over the top, tuck in some fresh basil leaves.

By Pamt on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 08:21 pm:

Thanks for the ideas. I'll let you know what I decide and now that I have a digital camera I'll take a picture too!

By Hlgmom on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 08:27 pm:

Try making a compound butter- like citrus herb- a blend of lemon and orange zest with tarragon. Blanch some asparagus and then tie together with a chive to make little "packages" Put a drizzle of the herb butter over them! Delicious and very pretty! (I am a caterer!) An easy make ahead starch is twice baked potatoes. Just put in the fridge after they are stuffed anf throw in the oven before serving! Are you making a plain cheesecake or flavored?

By Colette on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 10:00 pm:

cheesecake is definately better if you make it the day before you serve it.. I have TONS of cheesecake recipes..rasberry, maple pumpkin, chocolate, let me know if you need any.

By Wandilu on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 12:06 am:

Did yall by any chance go out and eat on your first date? If so,maybe you can prepare the same food that yall had that night.

By Pamt on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 01:26 pm:

Well, yeah when we out to eat, but we were highschool sweethearts and went to a locally owned fern bar. I don't even remember what we ate---probably a burger and fries or something. LOL. I think I've decided on a big meal-type salad (esp since we won't eat until 9:00pm) with some homemade bread and plain New York style cheesecake with raspberry sauce. Thanks for the ideas.