Need menu help.

[BRPORSCHE]

Have a dinner date Saturday night and was looking for some advice with the menu.

Tomato salad with basil...does the wine that comes out with this good with the scampi?

Shrimp scampi....what wine? Chardonnay? Pinot?

and dessert... I was thinking a fruit paired with champagne? I was never any good with dessert.

I like this chick and trying to show a good impression...

Also if you have a different main I should try I am all ears. Kinda opposed to the hevy cream, but hey who doesn't love shrimp? I wish I could do something exotic like 'vashtail' or just invite javadog, jyl, and vash to come be entertainment and the chefs.

[enzo1]

[BRPORSCHE]

Was never a fan of the filet, and not sure if I could pull the lobster off. Plus there needs to be some sauce on that plate. It just looks naked.

[enzo1]

lobster is so easy- just cook it on your grill, baste with lemon butter and pinch of garlic takes about 5- 6 minutes(notice the red color on the tail), kinda like cooking shrimp to tell when its done( don't cook it too much)use shears or scissors to cut and pull meat of lobster out so it looks the same as in picture. Chicks like filets- good cut of fresh meat, not cheap crap, center cut 3inches thick, rub with olive oil season with sea salt & cracked pepper, high heat to sear, then lower heat to cook, wine=red cherries jubilee for dessert( its easy, too) Get on youtube- its your cooking friend

[BeyGon]

I BBQd a Buffalo Ribeye tonight, BBQ the shrooms at the same time, steamed Asparagus, we had eggnog, not what you would have for a date but my wife liked it.
Haven't had Buffalo for a long time, really liked it.

[Gogar]

Don't worry too much about 'what wine for what food', I think you should have a red you like and a white you like and then let her pick "what color" when you start. She's going to pick white, and then you look golden, because Scampi and White are a thing.

The salad is cool, don't forget some fresh mozzarella.

Scampi is good too, but sometimes lots of garlic = a girl worried about making out.



Also, swear to god this is corny, but ask her if she's allergic to any foods before you go shopping. One time I did a home dinner date and I made Kung Pao Shrimp, and I nailed it. Except she was allergic to shellfish AND soy. Game over.


Fruit for dessert is cool, you could do some easy melted chocolate and whipped cream or something, and if you wanna take it easy you can just eat the fruit but if you want to make a naughty movie you can feel that out too and you've got all the tools if it goes well.

[BRPORSCHE]

I like the way you think Gogar. Looks like I will stick to the 'KISS' method with this date. Just be real basic and easy. Can't go wrong with freash food. Now where the hell will I find fresh strawberries and rasberries in December!?! This chick's a keeper. I don't cook for hookers and blow.


P.S Gogar, we may just end up being neighbors a year from now....

[HardDrive]

Your on target with the fresh food thing. You don't have to be a chef, but if you take the time to make a girl a good meal, and take the time to show that you paid attention to details....yeah, that can lead in a good direction.

[porsche4life]

I need to learn to cook, and to pick up chicks.... You bastard.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I need to learn to cook, and to pick up chicks.... You bastard.

Get off the frickin computer, and you can do both. Come back one day a week and tell us your stories!

[porsche4life]

Sorry bub, the computer is up while I am working(or attempting to) on school stuff. I flat ass don't have much time between work, school, and climbing. There are a few cute girls at the wall though.

[BRPORSCHE]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I need to learn to cook, and to pick up chicks.... You bastard.

Dude to be honest I am digging the single life. Been rocking it since June. But man it sure is nice to get out there and have fun. This new chick was a blind date, turned into a second date, turned into a 'hey we kind of like each other..'

I am not complaining.

Sid, just get out there and have fun!

[9dreizig]

Whatever you do don't let her look in your camera bag!! :-))

[BRPORSCHE]

Well played sir

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Sorry bub, the computer is up while I am working(or attempting to) on school stuff. I flat ass don't have much time between work, school, and climbing. There are a few cute girls at the wall though.

Don't apologize to me. You're the one climbing instead of having sex with girls.

[jyl]

Here is a dessert that is luxurious yet dead easy.

I needed an impressive dessert for my wife's surprise birthday dinner but my wife always handles the desserts, I don't bake or even eat dessert, so someone gave me this recipe and it was a hit. There are some steps involved but you do it all well before dinner, then you can stick the ramekins in the fridge, and place in preheated oven about 1.5 hours before dessert time. Or even make it earlier - but don't serve it very cold straight from the fridge, I'd place ramekins in a pan of hot (boiled) water to warm up so that the caramel bottom releases from the ramekin. Make in individual ramekins (not the 8 inch dish stated in the recipe, and reduce the cooking time - start checking after 45 min) and include two extras. One will be the "tester" that gets poked and prodded and turned out to check for done-ness - you want the custard set on the outside, still soft on the inside, I didn't use a thermometer but think 175F internal would be about right. The other is her reward for being very, very bad.

Also some raspberries or strawberries on top would look pretty.


"Crème Carmel

1 qt milk
2 vanilla beans split lengthwise or 3 tsp pure vanilla extract (I use the
extract but use the good stuff)
2 c sugar (divided into ½ cup
-and 1 ½ cups portions)
3 T water
1 drop lemon juice or white vinegar
8 large eggs
4 egg yolks
pinch salt

In large saucepan , over low heat, scald the milk with the vanilla.

Remove from the heat and let steep 30 minutes. Then remove beans (if using) and discard.

Caramelize an 8 cup round baking dish. Place ½ cup of sugar, water and vinegar or lemon juice in a small sauce pan and cook over high heat until golden (be careful not to scorch, once it starts to turn golden it goes really quick!). Carefully pour the caramel into the baking dish, tipping the dish to ensure the bottom is all covered. Let the caramel harden.

Preheat your oven to 300.

Place the eggs, yolks , 1 ½ cups sugar and salt in a bowl. Whisk together until the mixture is pale yellow and thickens.

Strain the cooled milk mixture into the egg mixture and stir to blend . NOTE: I usually strain the custard mixture again to make sure there are no solid bits like that white yucky thing in the eggs! You want it silky.

Pour this custard mixture into the caramelized baking dish.

Place the baking dish in a larger dish and pour boiling water half way up the outside of the baking dish. Bake 1 ½ to 2 hours or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Let cook and then refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve run a knife around the edge and invert onto a deep plate. The carmel will run out an fill the dish."

You'll notice a creme caramel is much like a creme brûlée. The first one is cooked with the caramelized sugar at the bottom of the ramekin, then turned over, the ramekin removed, and the thing stands up with caramelized sugar is on top. The latter is cooked and served in the ramekin with the caramelized sugar on top the whole time. The creme brulee's custard can be cooked less since it doesn't have to support itself.

[javadog]

Okay, my advice. Tomatoes are not good in December, at least in Oklahoma. I'd go with a slightly more elegant salad. Thomas Keller makes one with lots of fresh herbs that can be prepared in advance, is quite tasty, and probably different from anything she's ever had.

Shrimp Scampi has lots of garlic in it. As others have said, that's not a good idea on a date. Nor does it pair well with wine. Tell us what types of food she likes and we'll recommend something else.

Dessert will depend on what the main course turns out to be.

JR

[BRPORSCHE]

I need to run past beef by her. I know she isn't a pork, veal, lamb fan. So I am kinda stuck in the mud with the Seafood. Thanks jyl, and JR

[cbush]

Grilled shrimp on a stick can be a great appetizer or addition to the main course. Brush with butter lightly flavored with lemon and garlic. The smokey grilled taste compensates for the lack of garlic flavor. A great substitute for the scampi--classy but without the overbearing garlic problem.

[BRPORSCHE]

I knew I should have learned how to make creme brulee!