Chefs! I need your help for Valentine's Day.?

Question

I want to cook my fiance a really romantic, gourmet dinner. Any suggestions? Both of us will eat just about anything, so we have no dietary restrictions.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi! this menu are some ideas for your romantic dinner....

~~~~~~~~ Champagne Laced with Raspberry ~~~~~~~~
Sweet bubblies.

Serving: 2

1 tsp framboise
1 tsp kirsch
8 ounces chilled extra-dry champagne
Fresh raspberries for garnish

Pour half the framboise and half the kirsch into 2 chilled champagne glasses. Tilt the glasses to coat. Add the champagne and top with 1 or 2 raspberries.

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Side-dish......

~~~~~~~~ Sauteed Asparagus with a Toasty Topping ~~~~~~~~
Asparagus adds elegance to any plate.

4 servings

For the asparagus:
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the bread crumb topping:
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup chopped fresh chervil
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Set a large saute pan or grill pan over high heat. Rinse the asparagus well, but don't pat dry. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat. Place the asparagus into the hot pan and season with salt and pepper. Toss several times with tongs, and then cover and reduce the heat to medium or medium-high. Shake the pan or toss the asparagus occasionally for even cooking. If the spears are beginning to burn, add 1/2 cup of water to the pan. (Alternatively, grill over a hot fire for 4 to 6 minutes.)

To prepare the topping, set a small skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Add the remaining ingredients, swirling in the pan and toasting lightly until fragrant and slightly crunchy. When the asparagus is just tender enough to eat and slightly charred on the outside, it's ready to serve. Remove to a warmed serving platter and top with the toasted bread crumb mixture.

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~~~~~~~~ Cornish Hens with Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce ~~~~~~~~
Perfect little birds.

2 - 4 servings

For the hens:
2 Cornish game hens, rinsed well and patted dry
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the sauce:
1/2 cup seedless strawberry jam
1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp white wine
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Salt to taste
1 dried Thai chile

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Rub the hens with olive oil and season generously, inside and out, with salt and pepper. Tie their legs together with kitchen twine. Place the hens, breast side up, on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and roast until the juices run clear or a thermometer registers 165 degrees in the thigh, about 25 to 35 minutes.

While the hens are roasting, prepare the sauce. Combine the strawberry jam, vinegar, wine, pepper and salt in a small saucepan set over medium heat. As the jam begins to melt, add the Thai chile and let steep for 5 minutes. Taste the sauce; if you prefer something spicier, cut the chile in half and stir the sauce to distribute the fire. Remove the chile when the desired spiciness is reached. Serve as a sauce for the roasted hens.

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And lastly.... Sweet dessert with bonus coffee....

~~~~~~~~ Chocolate Tiramisu ~~~~~~~~
A classic, bordering on the commonplace as a result of all the pale industrial imitations that have overrun our supermarket shelves. So, to give a bit of moral support to tiramisu, here's a version that's more than classic ‑- with a little dark chocolate, simply to justify including the recipe.

Serving: 6
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: Chill 5 hours

6 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
1 pound mascarpone cheese
1 glass of amaretto liqueur or marsala
1 cup warm, strong coffee
30 ladyfingers
7 ounces best-quality dark chocolate
1/4 cup cocoa powder

Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture is pale. Incorporate the mascarpone and continue to beat. Whisk three egg whites into stiff peaks and fold into the mascarpone, egg and sugar mixture.

Add the amaretto to the coffee. Briefly soak the ladyfingers in this mixture and arrange them in the bottom of the dish(es). Melt the chocolate in a microwave oven or in a bowl over hot water. Cover the ladyfingers with the creamy mixture, then top with a thin layer of melted chocolate.

Repeat this procedure to create the second layer.

Cover with plastic wrap and leave to chill for at least 5 hours in the refrigerator.

Sprinkle with cocoa powder just before serving.

~~~~~~~~ Cafe Atole ~~~~~~~~
Chocolate + coffee with a hint of heat.

Serving: 2

3 cups milk
1/4 cup finely chopped, high-quality dark chocolate
2 tbsp sugar
Pinch of cayenne pepper, or more to taste
1 cup strong coffee
3 tbsp fresh masa

Combine the milk, chocolate, sugar and cayenne in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly until the chocolate is melted. Stir in the coffee and the masa, whisking vigorously until well combined. Taste and add more cayenne, if desired. Let thicken slightly and then serve.

Have fun! Happy cooking!..._;-)

Answer 2

Get a couple cornish hens & stuff with wild rice (cooked). Rub the hens with this mixture:
2 t salt, 1 t paprika,1/2 t onion powder, 1/2 t thyme, 1 t pepper, 1/4 t cayenne pepper, 1/2 t garlic powder.

Bake at 350 for about 90 minutes, or til juices are clear.
Serve with twice baked potatoes (bake them, cut small piece from top, scoop out & mash pulp with sour cream, chives, bacon bits & cheese, refill shells & bake for last half hour beside the hens)
Have a mixed green salad or steamed broccoli with water chestnuts and red pepper strips for a vegetable.
Chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert!

Answer 3

French Fries

Answer 4

Heres a few recipes - hope they help!! All are YUMMY!!

Chicken Cordon Bleu
6 medium chicken breasts, skinned and boned
8 oz pkg Swiss cheese slices
8 oz pkg sliced boiled ham
3 T flour
1 t paprika
1 C cream
1/2 - 1 C dry white wine
6 T butter
1 T cornstarch
1 chicken flavor bouillon cube
Spread chicken flat, fit ham and cheese slices on chicken. Fold breasts over filling. Fasten with toothpicks. On waxed paper, mix flour and paprika coat chicken. In a skillet, melt butter and brown chicken over medium heat. Add wine and bouillon. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes or until tender. Remove chicken and take out toothpicks. Blend cornstarch with cream and gradually stir into chicken stock. Cook, stir into chicken stock. Cook, stir constantly until thickened. Serve over chicken. Serves 6.

Diane's Chicken
6 halves chicken
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 C mayo
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
Mix together:
3 C crushed cornflakes
1 C Parmesan cheese
Spray cookie sheet. Cover with foil. Bake 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Lasagna
1 large jar prego sauce
1 pkg lasagna noodles
mozzarella cheese
1 carton cottage cheese
1 lb hamburger
cheddar cheese
Brown hamburger (spray baking pan) spoon enough prego into bottom of 9x12 inch pan to cover. Lay uncooked noodles on sauce. Add rest of sauce to browned meat. Spoon 1/2 onto noodles, cover well, spoon layer of cottage cheese. Cover generously with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Repeat layers making sure all noodles have sauce on them. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes. Check noodles with fork to see if they are tender.

Answer 5

Italian! Nice bottle of Vino, warm fresh bread and,

Chicken Picatta

Long pieces of spaghetti in the candle -lit darkness

Answer 6

I *think* we're doing seared Cajun cream scallops, maybe basmati rice made with chicken broth and garlic, and a mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette and feta.

I think. I'll know as the day gets closer...maybe the day before. :)

Answer 7

not really sure but definitely do something chocolate for desert its said to be very romantic and chocolate gets you in the mood of romance..