I didn’t want to hijack EvaLuna’s very interesting thread, so I started this one:
A former SO is coming over late Sunday night, and I asked her what I could prepare for her to eat, and she said that since it’ll be after 11, that she really thought it was too late for anything heavy, and I think she’s right. However, I would like to fix something light for her, maybe a dessert of some kind or a light meal.
I already thought about going and geting one of those veggie trays from the supermarket deli, but what kind of a challenge would that be? Besides, I would like to do something special for her, since she may be coming back into my life.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! I just recently attempted a quiche for the first time and it worked out well, but that’s really the most cooking I’ve ever done.
A classic is crepes of any sort, either sweet or savory. Of course, the sweet ones are much tastier with whipped cream (see above). Try strawberry ones with chocolate sauce!
Oh, and good luck!! (Both with the crepes, and with the S.O.) And you shouldn’t expect the first crepe to come out perfectly; it will stick to the pan. Nonstick pans help, and so does an obscene amount of butter. Also, let the batter rest in the fridge for 30 min. or so after you mix it.
At the risk of becoming a completeJohn Thorne bore (have I ever mentioned how much I like his food-writing???), let me direct you to the “Midnight Snack” index of the Outlaw Cook website.
Some mighty intriguing suggestions there…serve up the Red-Cooked Chinese Tripe" or the “Kielbasa-skin Po’ Boy” and there’ll be no QUESTION about the possibility of her coming back into your life!
While I am thrilled to no end that you decided to contribute to this thread, Ike, those are things I wouldn’t feed my worst Enemy! (Or maybe I should!)
Thanks for the laugh, and for poking your head in here! I always enjoy reading your ascerbic comments!
EL: Thanks so much! They sell crepe pans at my local Target. I think I’m gonna go for it. Even if I fuh… mess up, maybe she’ll appreciate the fact that I tried? I mean, how do women feel about a guy who’s never cooked before, making an effort?
Effort is always cute, even if the results are fuc…I mean, mixed.
Well, if you make the strawberry crepes, there should be lots of leftover whipped cream and chocolate sauce, and I’m sure you can find an appropriate use for those…
Maybe you should practice the crepes beforehand, so you can get the hang of it. It takes a little doing. Also, fresh strawberries are out of season, but frozen strawberries are pretty good. Apples are just coming into season – you could peel and slice them, then cook them with some butter, brown sugar and cinnamon for a filling. Yum!
Also, the second crop of raspberries is in now; they’re much better with chocolate than apples are. (No offense, Gundy, but I’m a huge chocoholic, so I’m biased on this point.)
Apples+chocolate=bad. You’re right, if it’s gonna be berries, fresh raspberries are better than frozen strawberries. I was thinking ice cream or whipped cream as a topping for apple filled crepes.
I’m loving all of these food-as-seduction threads, by the way. Nice job, Eva Luna!
Men cook meat on sticks. Unrapping food (or spraying it out of a can) and eating without further preparation is also acceptable.
I agree with Ike. Not that I have any idea what his recipes will turn out to be, but if there are neck bones involved, it’s probably ok and sufficiently manly. You can probably gnaw them down to useable tools of some sort, if the food sucks!
Suppress any girlie-girl cooking instincts! Meat! – or whip cream, saltines, and a nice wine are the way to go. Do not be afraid to demonstrate your vulnerability and helplessness in the kitchen.
Taking advice from GIRLS to impress girls usually works. From what I’ve observed, anyway. So neener neener.
I’ve made this recipe a few times and it’s been delicious every time. You should totally make it. It may sound weird, but trust me. Your tastebuds will be completely delighted.
MANGO & BRIE QUESADILLAS
With CREAMY LIME DIPPING SAUCE
4 (8-inch flour) tortillas
1 ripe mango, peeled, and sliced (If unavailable, replace with papaya or pear)
1 serrano chile, or 2 jalapeno chiles, minced
2 scallions, trimmed and diced
1/2 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (I skip these, but use 'em if you love 'em)
8 ounces Brie, sliced into long 1/4-inch slices, rind removed
Heat a 10-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat.
Place 1 tortilla in the dry pan for approximately 1 minute per side, or until it just begins to brown. Remove. Repeat with the second tortilla.
After the second tortilla has browned, leave it in the pan and reduce heat to medium-low.
Spread half of the mango evenly over the tortilla, then top with half of peppers, scallions, cilantro and cheese.
Top with the first tortilla. Cover the pan with a lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 2 minutes.
Flip the quesadilla, re-cover the pan, and cook for 2 more minutes.
Serve with Creamy Lime Dipping Sauce:
1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Blend with a fork until smooth. Refrigerate until serving time.
Little tip for cutting up mango: Don’t bother peeling it. Just slice the fruit off the seed in four sections. Use a knife to cut a grid into the fruit, just down to the rind but not through it. Turn each section inside-out and slice off the little squares as they pop up. Voila!
Well, I’m sure that the next time he feels like getting lucky with you, he’ll go for the neck bones with flambeed brain sauce, or whatever. Speaking as one with XX chromosomes, however, I think he’ll be much happier with the overall results if he goes for something a little more, ummmm, conventional.
With your recipe, his guest may swoon, but I doubt it’ll be from delight…
He dishes up the shrimp with white wine and garlic…or the Agra peans and greens…an’ she’ll be on her back and wavin’ her legs in the air before he takes the last spoonful, panting with lust over his originality.
“Oh, nice crepes, hon. The orthodontist I went out with last night made crepes, too. Let’s see if yours are as good as his.”
OK, for the shrimp, I may consider forgiving you. Pretty much ANYTHING with shrimp will have me swooning. But because I love shrimp, not because the idea is original…
But what about shrimp crepes? Maybe with a nice, light cream sauce and some herbs? Or isn’t that manly enough?
Man=Meat on a Stick
+
Woman=Something light and Frou-Frou
Thai Food!!!
For a potential menu idea how about:
Chicken Satay (beef, pork, tofu or shrimp can be substituted)
Cucumber Salad
Steamed Rice
Sliced fresh tropical fruit and/or mango sorbet
This menu is way easier than it looks. Your shopping list: pre-sliced chicken breast, skewers, Satay Marinade packet,bottled peanut sauce, cucumber, white sugar, white vinegar, instant rice, pre-sliced fruit and a tub of sorbet. Follow directions on packets and you are good to go. Half of this stuff is probably lying around your kitchen now. Tastes good, is exotic, looks labour intensive. If you are interested, I’ll post the Cucumber Salad receipt.
Good Luck!
G.
Yay! Another John Thorne fan! (mad happy dance) I’ve been reading his stuff for years.
The raspberry crumble thing in Outlaw Cook is great. It’s whipped cream, raspberries marcerated in liquer, and crushed merengues. Mix and eat. I made it with brownies added and it didn’t seem to hurt.
