1 (10-ounce) piece beef tenderloin
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups lightly packed fresh arugula or fresh baby spinach
1/2-ounce shaved Parmesan
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Tie the beef tenderloin with kitchen twine to help maintain its shape, then freeze the tenderloin until frozen (this ensures that the center stays rare when cooking a small piece of meat). Then, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy small skillet over high heat. Rub the frozen beef with salt and pepper. Add the beef to the hot skillet and sear on all sides, about 4 minutes total (the beef will be just barely seared on the outside but will remain rare). Freeze the beef until it is almost frozen, about 1 hour (this makes it easier to cut into very thin slices). Using a large sharp carving knife, slice the beef as thinly as possible. Arrange the arugula and Parmesan shavings on a serving platter and lay the beef slices on top. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.
Alternative: Use 6 ounces of thinly-sliced bresaola instead of the tenderloin. Do not cook the bresaola. Serve it as you would the tenderloin, above.
1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix (recommended: Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe)
1 1/3 cups water
3 large eggs whites
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 (6-ounce) containers fresh raspberries, cut in half or 1 (16-ounce) container fresh strawberries, coarsely chopped
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup powdered sugar, plus additional for dusting
Line 18 muffin cups with muffin papers. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Using an electric mixer, beat the cake mix, water, egg whites, melted butter, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a large bowl for 2 minutes, or until the batter is well blended. Using about 1/3 cup of batter for each cupcake, spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
Bake the cupcakes until they are very pale golden on top, about 15 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely on a cooling rack.
Using a fork, coarsely mash 1 1/2 containers of raspberries in a medium bowl. Beat the cream and 1/3 cup of powdered sugar in a large bowl until firm peaks form. Fold the mashed raspberries into the whipped cream.
Remove the muffin papers from the cupcakes and cut the tops off of each cupcake. Spoon the raspberry whipped cream atop the cupcake bottoms. Place the cupcake tops on the cupcakes. Dust with more powdered sugar and serve with the remaining berries.
3 1/2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup arborio rice, or medium-grain white rice
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/3 cup frozen peas, defrosted, optional
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus additional for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Bring the broth to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover the broth and keep it warm over very low heat.
Melt the butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in the rice and cook for about 2 minutes until the rice is toasted. Add the wine and stir until it is absorbed, about 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup of hot broth; simmer over medium-low heat until the liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 6 minutes. Repeat, adding 3/4 cup of hot broth 2 more times, stirring often, about 12 minutes longer. At this point, the risotto can be made 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate the risotto (the rice will still be firm) and remaining broth, uncovered, until cool, then cover and keep them refrigerated until ready to proceed.
Bring the remaining broth to a simmer, then cover and keep it warm over very low heat. Stir 3/4 cup of hot broth into the partially cooked risotto over medium heat until the broth is absorbed and the risotto is hot, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining broth and simmer until the rice is just tender and the mixture is creamy, about 5 minutes longer. Stir in the peas and parsley. Add the 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Spoon the risotto into bowls. Sprinkle additional cheese over and serve.
2007-07-16 13:41:01
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answer #1
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answered by secretkessa 6
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maybe I'm way off base here, but this is what I'd do. romance comes from closeness, and one of the quickest ways to enhance the feeling of closeness between two people is to excite their senses AND their sense of trust at the same time. so...serve a light meal open with:
champagne (you can get a nice bottle for as little as $10; sparkling wine = champagne not from France)
light salad with pears, Gorgonzola and crumbled bacon.
main course: sea scallops in wine sauce and creamed potatoes.
dessert-chocolate covered strawberries (halve the berries, fill with triple cream brie and dip in chocolate).
the KEY--sex-cite the senses from the moment he walks in
*change the lighting (buy pink bulbs, or put a scarf over the lamp. avoid candles as they cause a lot of heat)
*fill the air with a nice scent (boil some mulling spices or burn some incense)
*soothe his mind with relaxing music (i like old french, new jazz, Brazilian jazz or even soft reggae
*touch: this is where it may seem TOO intense for you, but if you guys are physically comfortable, this is awesome. pull out the blindfold.
forget the kinky stereo type. when it comes to fully experiencing food, being deprived of sight heightens everything. its less scary with dessert because he'll know what to expect. TRUST ME. by the end of this meal you guys will be totally connected.
2007-07-16 09:37:51
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answer #2
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answered by art_child2000 4
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This is an EXCELLENT recipe I make it allot for my hubby and he LOVES it
Chicken Francese Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence
Show: Food 911
Episode: First Date Food
4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts (about 11/2 pounds)
All-purpose flour, for dredging
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 large eggs
3 tablespoons water
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 lemon, with rind, cut in thin rounds
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Put the chicken breasts side by side on a cutting board and lay a piece of plastic wrap over them. Pound the chicken breasts with a flat meat mallet, until they are about 1/4-inch thick. Put some flour in a shallow platter and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. In a wide bowl, beat the eggs with 3 tablespoons of water to make an egg wash. Heat the oil over medium-high flame in a large skillet.
Dredge both sides of the chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, and then dip them in the egg wash to coat completely, letting the excess drip off. When the oil is nice and hot, add the cutlets and fry for 2 minutes on each side until golden, turning once. Remove the chicken cutlets to a large platter in a single layer to keep warm.
Toss the lemon slices into the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the wine, broth, and lemon juice, simmer for 5 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly. Roll the butter in some flour and add it to the skillet, this will thicken the sauce. Stir to incorporate and dissolve the flour. Reduce the heat to medium-low and return the chicken to the pan; place the lemon slices on top of the cutlets. Simmer gently for 2 minutes to heat the chicken through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Then I usually make some roasted broccoli with it and mashed potatos
2007-07-16 09:24:06
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answer #3
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answered by skyler 5
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Some steamed crab legs or lobster. Some stuffing and steamed veggies on the side with hollandaise. And lots of lemon garlic butter. There's nothing more romantic than eating with your hands. Trust me. :) *wink*
2007-07-16 09:37:57
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answer #4
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answered by chefgrille 7
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get some easy recipes and try them out a week in advance to see how to make it. Invite him over while your cooking, have candles and lights dimmed. Serve wine and wear a sexy apron. You can be the desert.
2007-07-16 09:23:01
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answer #5
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answered by julie4712b 3
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Dont forget the candles, on valentines day our house was filled with 150 tea lights. it was so beautiful!
2007-07-16 11:28:58
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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there are some good recipes on this link. they are mainly easy to make.
X D
2007-07-16 09:30:02
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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fruits and champagne on the sofa/bed....
2007-07-16 09:21:03
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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