I want to make a special meal for my hubby on his b-day, candlelight dinner...any suggestions?

Question

Last time I planned something, I make chicken alfredo. Are there any other good foods that would work for candlelight dinner? Do you have a recipe (if needed)? Neither one of us drink alcohol, so what would be a good drink to have with the meal?

Answer 1

I would start with a nice salad (mixed greens, feta or blue and vinegrette). I'm a big fan of a steak (sear on the stove top and broil if you can't use the grill this time of year), maybe with a blue cheese butter, asparagus and either a potato gratin or roasted red potatoes (so easy - chop up some red potatoes with the skin on - put on a cookie sheet with olive oil and mccormick steak seasoning - mix up and bake about 45 mins at 350). not a steak person - try either a roasted chicken (always looks great and good left overs) or a pork tenderloin. to drink - sparkling water with lemon and you could do sparkling grape juice with the salad or dessert. a great dessert i love is ina garten's chocolate ganache cake
chocolate ganache cake (from barefoot contessa)
1/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 (16-ounce) can chocolate syrup (recommended: Hershey's)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour

For the ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules


Preheat over to 325 degress - butter and flour a 8 inch round pan and line bottom with parchment.

Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in the chocolate syrup and vanilla. Add the flour and mix until just combined. Don't overbeat, or the cake will be tough.

Scoop the batter into the pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Don't overbake! Let the cake cool thoroughly in the pan.

For the ganache, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally.
Place teh cake upside down on a wire rack and pour the glaze over the top making sure to cover the cake and sides. Do not refrigerate.

Answer 2

Chicken is always a good choice. Although spaghetti worked for Lady and The Tramp. When I make a candlelight dinner I buy Ginger Ale. We don't drink alcohol either.

Answer 3

spring vegetable fettuccine (this recipe is phenonenal, one of my favs all time, i would serve this dish with a special drink, my husband and i don't drink alcohol either, and this drink would be perfect.

drink: any sparkling grape juice (white, pink..) add one small scoop or lemon sorbet to a glass of the juice, then add a few fresh mint leaves. not only is is yummy, but it looks nice too. the mix is really perfect, the sorbet is so light, and the mint gives it a perfect flavor!!!!

Answer 4

This is one of my favorite recipes of all time. You can half it or follow the recipe and have leftovers. Pellegrino or sparkling cider would be a good drink accompaniment.

Linguine With Cauliflower and Brown Butter
Serves 4

3/4 cup packaged croutons or 3 slices stale bread

6 1/2 tablespoons butter

1 medium head cauliflower (2 1/2 pounds), cut into florets

Salt and pepper

1 pound linguine

10 fresh sage leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried sage

1 shallot, minced

3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

1. Place croutons in a plastic bag, and crush to coarse crumbs with a rolling pin. (If using bread, grind in a food processor, and toast in a dry skillet until golden, 2 to 3 minutes, shaking skillet frequently to toast evenly.)

2. In a large skillet, melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add cauliflower florets and 1/4 teaspoon salt; sauté 15 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water; cook until cauliflower is tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 3 to 4 minutes.

3. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook linguine until al dente, according to package instructions, about 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.

4. In pasta pot, melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in sage and shallot; cook until butter is golden brown, 3 minutes. Add pasta, cauliflower, parsley, and Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Add reserved cooking water if pasta seems dry. To serve, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and more Parmesan.

Answer 5

find out what is his favorite meat then ask the question---beef chicken pork fowl of some kind is the easy one to cook but a steak will do as well broiled---buy a bottle of sparkling apple juice its apple juice with bubbles

Answer 6

sparkling cider. and there is a grape juice at VONS that comes in a bottle that looks like a nice wine bottle but tis non alcoholic so you could do that. or have virgin strawberry daquiri in cute cups

Answer 7

I think a beautiful candle light dinner with lights turned down and a drink could be a drink tease which is (sprite,Hawaiian punch,lemon juice,and fruit punch.)For dinner you could have angel hair pasta and nice baked flat chicken breast piece.