We're having spicy shrimp for main course...what for starters!?

Question

Forgot to mention: I'm cooking for my boyfriend, we're not going out!

Answer 1

Your taste buds would appreciate something high in acid. A simple green salad with toasted pine nuts, slices of mandarin oranges, and a sweet balsamic vinegar dressing. If you are into it, a bit of bacon.

Avoid Cheese, as it will destroy the taste for the shrimp with the next course. You could also substitute a ginger type dressing.

Answer 2

Watercress Soup
Preparation Time: 15 Minutes
Cooking Time: 20 Minutes

This is a simply and easy soup to make, works well as a cold lunch or warm supper.


Ingredients: Serves 4
200g of watercress
50g butter
2 leeks
50ml plain flour
600ml milk
300ml vegetable stock
90ml crème fraiche
60g pine nuts
Cooking Instructions:
1. Heat the butter in a big saucepan, add the leek and soften slowly for about 10 minutes.
2. Add the flour, stir on a low heat for 1 minute.
3. Gradually introduce the milk and stock, bring to the boil slowly and continue to cook until the ingredients thicken, remember to stir constantly while the soup is thickening.
4. Remove from the heat, leave to stand for two minutes, add the watercress and blend using a food processor.
5. Return to the pan and cook under a moderate heat for four minutes.
6. Add the crème fraiche and sprigs pine nuts on top, serve with soda bread.

Answer 3

How about Vietnamese Spring Rolls?
Vietnamese Spring Rolls - Cha Gio
INGREDIENTS:
2 ounces bean thread noodles
2 dried Chinese black mushrooms or dried Shiitake mushrooms
1 carrot
1 red bell pepper
1/2 cucumber
1/2 cup mung bean sprouts, or as needed
1/3 pound shelled shrimp, deveined and finely chopped
1/3 pound lean ground pork
1 large egg
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups oil for deep-frying, or as needed
8 to 10 rice paper wrappers (banh trang) round shaped
1/4 cup chopped basil (Thai basil if possible) and cilantro leaves
Sweet and sour dipping sauce (see recipe below)
PREPARATION:
Soak the bean thread noodles in warm water to soften. Drain thoroughly. Reconstitute the dried mushrooms by soaking them in warm water until softened (20 to 30 minutes). Squeeze the excess moisture out and slice.
Peel and shred the carrot. Cut the red pepper and the cucumber julienne style. Rinse and drain the mung bean sprouts.
Combine all the filling ingredients (the bean thread noodles, mushrooms, shredded carrot, chopped pepper and cucumber, mung bean sprouts, pork, shrimp, and the egg). Season with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil for deep-frying in a wok to between 350 to 375 degrees. Make sure there is enough oil to completely submerge the rolls.
Soften the rice paper wrappers by submerging them very briefly in hot (not boiling) water, with the patterned side up. Immediately remove the wrapper from the water. Let it dry for a few seconds, then add 2 heaping tablespoons of filling. Fold the left and right sides of the wrapper over the filling, and then roll it up
Deep-fry the rolls until they are golden brown (about 2 minutes). Drain the rolls on a tempura rack if you have one, or on paper towels.
Serve the rolls whole or cut cross-wise into serving size pieces, garnished with the basil and cilantro leaves, and with Sweet and sour sauce for dipping.
Sweet and Sour Dipping sauce
INGREDIENTS
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2/3 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons brown sugar
salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
In a small saucepan over a medium-low heat, whisk (using a metal whisk) together vinegar and cornstarch. Add oil, pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, and salt; whisking constantly until the mixture is heated through.

Answer 4

Get your pallet started with a sweet salad like a Raspberry Walnut Dressing on field greens with feta, the sweet will get the tastebuds ready for the spicy, great balance. Bookend the meal to cool yourself down with a Strawberry Kiwi Tort w/creme fresh

Answer 5

whats the recipe? disna sound awful filling to me, make a big pan o soup! not too strong tasting or he wont appreciate the shrimp, but something filling like potato and leek soup. its probs i just got a greedy fella but shrimps in any form he sees as a starter!

Answer 6

try big portabello mushrooms stuffed with bacon peppers a herb and garlic stuffing(packet stuffing is fine )and a sprinkle of cheese on top and grill till melted grill the mushrooms first and cook all; ingrediants before stuffing mushrooms it is really nice and as u r having a spicy main course this is really rustic enjoy and a water cress salad is lovely with it with a lovely balsmatic dressing

Answer 7

Shred some white onion, spring onion, tomato. Sprinkle some lime juice over the top and finish with a heap of coriander.

Answer 8

warm goats cheese on a walnut and rocket salad with a sweet balsamic dressing

Answer 9

what about some rice with fresh mushrooms or bell peppers and onions, spiced with zaffron,or some white wine.
heve a grat evening!

Answer 10

go for something without a rich taste so u'll still appreciate the taste of the main course. like....crispy deepfried spinach. or some kani maki. those are just my favorites.