Help. I need suggetions for a romantic dinner for two for his birthday!?

Question

I have been dating a "special someone" in my life for a few months now (we are both in our early 30's). He has been wonderful.I recently had a death in my family and suffered throug a bought of depression and anxiety. He did not freak out, and run away and he barely knew me. That is worth so much by itself. I don't know what will happen with our relationship, BUT I DO KNOW that I want to make his birthday( about two weeks from now) special to show my appreciation. Here is the problem. He is a GREAT cook!!.. I always thought I was a pretty good cook until he came along. He is like a mini-me Emeril.! I know i don't need to prepare anything super extravagent. However, I would love some ideas for a romantic dinner. AND some recipes ideas that are not TOO difficult yet very tasty!. I want to show him what a wonderful impact he has made in my life. Please help with suggestions. I am the Analytical type (so I can follow a recipe well, but unfortuately not very creative) Thank you in advance!

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I can not pick a best answer because honestly I will pick a combination of Everything! I love the ideas of candle light and wine. I love the ideas of spreading it out over several courses. I love the recipes I received. I think I will pick the Shrimp Fra Diavlo for he main course. But I will also use one of the suggestions for an appetizer, and I think the recipe for the mini cheesecake is terrific! So honestly Most of your answers are all "best answers to me!" It has helped so much .Thank YOU!

Answer 1

find out what foods he likes best, hint around at him to see if you can get ideas, next get a cook book along these lines and do your magic. also ambiance, candles and make it a meal that takes several coures, this way you can draw out the experience, have fun.

Answer 2

Shrimp Fra Diavolo w/ Spaghettii

1 box of sphagetti
1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined
1 teaspoon salt, plus additional as needed
1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons
1 medium onion, sliced
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup dry white wine
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
3 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
3 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves

Toss the shrimp in a medium bowl with 1 teaspoon of salt and red pepper flakes. Heat the 3 tablespoons oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and saute for about a minute, toss, and continue cooking until just cooked through, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a large plate; set aside. Add the onion to the same skillet, adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pan, if necessary, and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices, wine, garlic, and oregano. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Return the shrimp and any accumulated juices to the tomato mixture; toss to coat, and cook for about a minute so the flavors meld together. Stir in the parsley and basil. Let stand. Boil/cook spaghetti. Drain pasta then top with sauce. Season with more salt, to taste, and serve.

Answer 3

I think just the thought that you took the time and trouble to cook just for him will do the trick. I would do something simple that I knew will come out well so there is no possibility of ruining the evening. Concentrate on making everything PERFECT, from the table to the music and beverage and even if the meal is simple it will make an impression. Good luck!

Answer 4

Well, I am chef too, they say am a hell of a good one but hey, if there is something in between you and him, whatever you prepare will an utmost but anyway here are some points. Start with a good appetizer, maybe an oyster fresh or killpatrick depends on what your mans favorite foods or simply a small mini pizza of ham and pineapple. now add a plate of seafood salad ( scallops, mussell, prawn, blanced and marinated with italian dressing) on top of garden fresh
If he is a seafood lover then a frsh grilled slice of salmon with butter-vinegar sauce is great ...what else would be greater than a bottle of wine to go with this.

Answer 5

A nice steak (not the pre=packaged ones) get one from the meat market. Crab legs will go nicely with this and they are easy to make-just boil. You can make your own garlic butter sauce for dipping too.

Answer 6

If you are really serious about this, you can e-mail me. I have some recipes that would definitely rock his socks off, but I am unwilling to post here. It's French food, if he's into that sort of thing.

Answer 7

Sorry Disney to hear of all your problems...
Dinner: Steak, B. Patato, Salad,
garlic cheese bread....
Can't go wrong...."Have Fun"

Answer 8

Candlelight...and you.

Answer 9

mak this a dinner he will remember, so i suggest a full on three course dinner.

APPETIZER
~try any of these~

Peppercorn-Cheese Melt: Remove top rind from Cambozola, Camembert, or Brie. Place cheese in shallow baking dish and sprinkle with coarsely ground mixed peppercorns and chopped, toasted walnuts or pecans. Bake in 450 degree F oven 8 to 10 minutes, until cheese is softened and begins to melt. Serve with slices of coarse-grain bread, crusty bread slices, or an assortment of crackers.

Easy Reubens: Top crispy rye crackers with thinly sliced fully cooked corned beef, rinsed and well-drained canned sauerkraut and Thousand Island salad dressing.

Mexicali Chips: Cook ground beef seasoned with ground cumin until brown; drain off fat. Stir in enough salsa to moisten, along with sliced ripe olives and snipped cilantro. Top with sour cream or shredded cheese. Serve with tortilla chips.
MAIN DISH
Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli
The crab cakes are really delicious. I love to make extra and put them in the freezer. They cook up in a flash and are nice enough to serve to company. Costco carries great canned crab in the refrigerated section.

Serves 2

Ingredients

Qty Unit Ingredient

1 lb Lump crab, picked over and squeeze dry of excess water

1/2 C Breadcrumbs

1/2 C Mayonnaise

2 ea Green onions, sliced

2 Tb Butter

2 Tb Olive oil

1/2 C Mayonnaise

1 Tb Lemon juice

2 Tsp Grainy mustard




Instructions

Combine crab meat and other ingredients and gently combine. Separate into 8 patties pressing them firmly to hold together. May be frozen at this point or sautéed in butter and olive oil until lightly browned on both sides and heated through.



Healthy Carrot Cider Chicken Legs
This healthy chicken dish takes a little longer to bake, but is super moist and your family will love it.

Serves 2

Ingredients

Qty Unit Ingredient

2 ea Chicken legs - skinless, drumstick and thigh cut apart

1/2 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Olive oil

1/2 Tsp Ginger - minced

1 Tsp Garlic - minced

1/4 C Carrot juice

1/4 C Apple cider

1/4 C Beer - dark

1/2 Tsp Coriander




Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 and an oven proof skillet over medium high heat. Lightly salt the chicken and dredge in flour. Brown the chicken in the skillet on both side for about 4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. Place the pan in the oven and bake 45 to 55 minutes, turning chicken halfway through cooking time until chicken is fall apart tender.


Thai Chicken In Peanut Sauce
Perfect served with steamed rice.

Serves 2

Ingredients

Qty Unit Ingredient

2 ea Chicken breasts - boneless skinless

1 C Thai peanut sauce, divided




Instructions

Marinate breasts overnight in 1/4 C of peanut sauce. On indoor or outdoor grill, grill chicken for 7 - 8 minutes on both sides or until done. Meanwhile heat the other 1/4 C of sauce over medium until heated through. Serve over chicken.

DESSERT
~any of these~



SWIRLED™ Cheesecake Nibbles

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Level: Easy Rated:
Source:
With a hint of semi-sweet and white chocolate flavor these SWIRLED™ cheesecake nibbles are so creamy and decadent it's hard to eat just one.



Estimated Times:
Preparation - 15 min | Cooking - 15 min | Yields - 36 mini cheesecakes (3 dozen)

Ingredients:

36 vanilla wafers
1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® SWIRLED™ Real Semi-Sweet & White Chocolate Morsels, divided
2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Place 36 2-inch foil bake cups on baking sheet(s) with sides. Place one vanilla wafer, flat-side down, on bottom of each cup. Place 5 to 6 morsels on top of each wafer.

BEAT cream cheese, sugar and flour in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Spoon heaping tablespoon of cream cheese mixture into each bake cup.

BAKE for 15 to 17 minutes or until just set and not browned. Remove from oven to wire rack. While still warm, top cheesecakes with remaining morsels. Morsels will soften but will retain shape. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate.

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

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Level: Easy Rated:
Source:
Just beat, melt, stir, and refrigerate...these bars are that simple.



Estimated Times:
Preparation - 15 min | Cooling Time - 1 hrs refrigerating | Yields - 60 bars (5 dozen)

Ingredients:

2 cups peanut butter, divided
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels, divided


Directions:
GREASE 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

BEAT 1 1/4 cups peanut butter and butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in 1 cup powdered sugar. With hands or wooden spoon, work in remaining powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs and 1/2 cup morsels. Press evenly into prepared baking pan. Smooth top with spatula.

MELT remaining peanut butter and remaining morsels in medium, heavy-duty saucepan over lowest possible heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Spread over graham cracker crust in pan. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until chocolate is firm; cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.


NOTES:
Click here for tips on melting NESTLE TOLL HOUSE products


hope those helped!!!!!!