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Well actually I'd like to try and put something together for Thursday night, but have never done anything before so I need a really simple recipe - can anyone help?
I want to prepare it from scratch as I think even if it tastes like poo she'' appreciate the effort.
Well actually I'd like to try and put something together for Thursday night, but have never done anything before so I need a really simple recipe - can anyone help?
I want to prepare it from scratch as I think even if it tastes like poo she'' appreciate the effort.
beans on toast>? heres how i do it
open can of beans. put into a bowel. Heat for 4 mins. put bread in the toaster. set to desired browning. On the sound of the ding, Pour the beans over the toast. Hey presto! And you could even go all out and do beans on toast supreme and add chesse!
...Ill get my coat!
LOL - knowing me I'd burn the beans!!!
Keith1983
10-02-08, 07:33 PM
do you really cook your beans in a bowel? interesting! lol
missyburd
10-02-08, 07:41 PM
spag bol, worked for the lady and the tramp! :smt003 bit messy though....
do you really cook your beans in a bowel? interesting! lol
yeah. its like a dislcesic's bowl (cant even spell that right)
Keith1983
10-02-08, 07:49 PM
just do a steak and some veg if you burn the steak tell her its well done!
fizzwheel
10-02-08, 08:01 PM
First meal I cooked I cheated and bought a sauce and then I cooked Thai Green Chicken Curry, even I thought it tasted nice !!
If I'm going to cook then I don't reckon you can beat a roast. Its easy to do theres no much preparation its just a matter of timing everything right so its ready at the same time.
Lasagne is pretty easy to do as well.
Do you know what she likes? No point making steak if she is a veggie, no point making tomato based sauce for pasta if she thinks tomatoes are the devils vegetables (yeah, yeah, I know they are fruit :rolleyes:)
Find out some info and give me some direction and I can probably find a simple recipe for you.
Trace
(I am currently cooking ratatouillie and chicken with a red wine and mushroom glaze :cool: for hubby)
There's not too much she doesn't like other than mushrooms really - all meats are ok.
I want something that looks the part too, I have the afters covered :p
There's not too much she doesn't like other than mushrooms really - all meats are ok.
I want something that looks the part too, I have the afters covered :p
I bet u do :smt008:makelurve:
Salad... hard boil an egg or 2 or how many you deem fit for 5-6 minuites.. check after colling that it was hard boiled..
arange green stuff and ham and cheese and may be some raw mushroom( as i like them) ...
take off the egg shell, slice the boiled egg into slices...
put it all on a plate and serve with loads of red / white wine or beer or whiskey... your choice.
I can cook spag bol, well chop some onion put in pan with some oil and mince then throw some sauce over it, but I wanted something that she would know I've put effort into.........the trouble is I haven't found anything on the net which I am likely to be able to do.
Starter and main would be good. She likes prawn cocktail I think, how do I make (not buy) the dressing though or has anyone got a better idea?
ketchup and mayonnaise isn't it?
Ok. Let's keep it easy.
You need...
2 chicken breasts (free range preferably)
Pasta (twists or tubes, NOT the quick cook five minute stuff).
1 tablespoon of Pesto (buy it from the super market in a jar).
Garlic
Vegetables.
Chili powder
Olive oil
Tin foil
Two pans and a grill. A fork to turn the breasts.
A colander
A tablespoon spoon
Carving board and knife.
Some plates and cutlery would also be useful.
Firstly, dress those breasts!! Do you like hot & spicy, or something more mellow? Place them on some tin foil made into a boat shape (the foil that is, not the breasts). Pour some olive oil on them - apply the crushed/chopped garlic and sprinkle some chilli powder on each juicy succulent breast, around half a teaspoon on each. If you'd rather pour on some of that hot Portuguese stuff the name of which escapes me right now.
Carefully place your foil boat of breast on the grill, and cook them slowly - bust not burnt - ensure they are cooked right through - turn over after ten minutes. They should be done within about 20 - 30 minutes.
Five minutes roughly after starting to cook the gorgeous plump breasts, put the pasta into a pan. Pour on some freshly boiled water - carefully!! Bring back to the boil and simmer for about fifteen minutes or so. Drain the pasta - put the dollop of Pesto into the pan and stir in the pasta - give it a good stir - add more if you wish.
Whilst the pasta is bubbling, cook your veg - I suggest broccoli and leek. Try not to over cook veggies - they're nicer with at least a hint of crunch, but each to his own I guess.
Now - put the pesto-dressed pasta on each plate. Carefully place each juicy succulent warm breast atop the pasta. Strain the vegetables and place at the side of the plate. Serve & eat immediately with a bottle of Australian Shiraz/Cabernet.
Hope this helps.
missyburd
10-02-08, 09:18 PM
what about spaghetti carbonara (spp.)? bacon, onion and tagliatelli in a double cream sauce yum :)
A starter. Quick and easy. Buy some fresh asparagus. Cut the bottom half inch off and chuck in your composter. Remove the elastic band and put it in your recyling bin.
Steam the asparagus for five minutes. Place asparagus on a plate and add a dollop of butter.
Enjoy.
what about spaghetti carbonara (spp.)? bacon, onion and tagliatelli in a double cream sauce yum :)
Bloody nice - did the Jamie Oliver one a while back:D. Careful though - sometimes creamy stuff can upset a delicate tummy...:cry:
Hello there
I find the best way to plan a menu is to decide what you want to use as main ingredient for starter/main ie prawns/shrimps for starter and beef for main. Then get onto a website like BBC Food (http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/), then select 'Prawms' to find all recipes for prawns, and you can even narrow down to display all prawn dishes for the course ie starters.
Theres loads to choose from of various difficulties, a lot of them fairly simple and not too many ingredients. This link here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/champagneprawnswithc_67936.shtml) for champagne prawns with cocktail sauce for example has the method of making your own cocktail sauce.
I can spend hours looking through finding tasty dishes. Good luck!
Also try UKTV Food website which has loads of recipes also.
Andy
Blimey, some top stuff on here - I knew the org would sort me out.
Stingo, this might sound dense but how to steam asparagus (sp?). Oh and she likes mild spicy as opposed to me who like the full ring stinger. What is the mellow version?
Speedy Claire
10-02-08, 09:35 PM
Some really good ideas on http://www.deliaonline.com/ or Nigellaonline.
This is nice and easy if she likes garlic http://www.nigella.com/recipes/recipe.asp?area=12&article=3489 and you could do it with either salad or some baby potatoes in their jackets, roasted in olive oil and garlic.
If you need any further ideas...... :bounce:
I did a really nice and simple 3 courser the other day:
Starter - Potted shrimps & cayenne pepper
Main - Creme fraiche & corriander chicken (served with fresh green salad)
Pud - Coffee mascarpone cream
All very simple, Starter & main can be made day before, and main is very quick and simple too. can detail recipes if they sound any good to you?
Blimey, some top stuff on here - I knew the org would sort me out.
Stingo, this might sound dense but how to steam asparagus (sp?). Oh and she likes mild spicy as opposed to me who like the full ring stinger. What is the mellow version?
Steaming - you need to keep the stuff out of the water so if you don't have a steamer, have you got a metal sieve/colander that can go on top of the pan that will have the boiling water in it?
The mild version. Ok. Some olive oil as before. A few good dashes of lemon juice. Sprinkle some crushed garlic on. You could sprinkle some dried coriander on those firm juicy breasts if you wish. Grill as before. Garnish with FRESH coriander leaves and FRESH basil leaves.
Ever cooked tomatoes with fresh Basil and Mozarella cheese? It's very easy and done all in one pan.
Open two tins of tomatoes and pour into large/deep pan - simmer. Add chopped fresh basil. Simmer some more. Season to taste - add some chopped bacon if you wish. slice the Mozarella and chuck it in the same pan. It will melt and stick everywhere. Share out into two bowls. Dress with some fresh basil leaves. Enjoy.
Tomatoes and mozerrela with basil. Done.
Tomato and mozzarella is also great as a starter and just the easiest thing to do:
Get vine tomatoes and slice them thickly, get fresh mozzarella and slice, layer tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil leaves. drizzle over extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A grind of fresh black pepper to finish. Serve with warm rustic french bread, or tearing off bits of french baguette.
Main course, how about some fresh pasta? Get some fresh tagliatelle (long strips of pasta) Be careful it takes only a couple of minutes to cook properly.
Get some parma ham and slice, halve some cherry tomatoes. Cook pasta and drain. Quickly stir in a couple of teaspoons of green pesto and a couple of tablespoons of creme fraiche then stir in the ham and tomatoes. Serve with a fruity fresh white wine.
All dead easy and very tasty.
Hope this helps you get afters :smt003
Trace ;)
SV-CHEF
10-02-08, 11:26 PM
Hey I know a thing or two about cooking (im a CHEF)
How about
STARTERS
Homemade Creamy Mushroom Soup
or
Smoked Salmon and caviar
MAINS
Chicken Breast Wrapped in Smoked Bacon With a Pepper Sauce
Or
Steak Rossini
Or Pasta Carbonara
Dessert
BAILEYS CHEESECAKE!! dead easy.
Or ask me anytyhing u want to know and im sure i can help.
timwilky
11-02-08, 01:07 AM
TBH food is what got me my missus. The first time she had arranged to stay over, she had talked it over with friends should she bring anything etc. and they had told her, if he lives on his own he will have his food arranged.
So I did her a simple asparagus soup to start. (Cook onion/chopped asparagus with stock for 15 minutes, remove a few tips and blend the bits and add back into the the stock, make up a roux, sorry twin bro was a chef. melt a bit of butter add about a golf ball of flower and stir, add the cooled blended bit from above slowly and stirring making sure it don't go mushy and but back on the heat until it goes thick. throw back in the tips. ) This you can prepare earlier warm and add a little cream swirl and serve.
Now I would suggest, a nice piece of fillet of beef, cooked though in the pan for 3 minute each side (medium), served with saut?ed potatoes, mushrooms, and a sprig of broccoli.
It is simple, Easy to cook and impressive. Maybe politely ask how she likes her meat and adjust the above 3 minutes accordingly. and if you get it right, you get to serve afters raw and hot. Well it worked for me and 25 years later I can still cook the same meal.
Pudding. This is the simplest strange Wilkinson family tradition. Take any off the shelf ice cream pudding. pour over each portion a desert spoon of Highland Park and serve. delicious. Simple, tasty.
Some really good ideas on http://www.deliaonline.com/.
I used her How to Cook books, I still don't know how to cook properly but I can follow recipes ok.
I made this Shepherd's pie (http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/shepherds-pie-with-cheese-crusted-leeks,713,RC.html) recipe when I was in uni. Went down really well with my housemates.
If you like spicy food you could go the easy option and buy an Old El Paso Enchilada kit (available from local supermarket) a red & green pepper, red onion, cheese and a couple of chicken breasts.
Follow the instructions on the pack (really easy) to make a very tasty meal. Could be served with a side salad of choice.
Alternatively I like to make Chicken stuffed with Goats cheese & basil. Again very simple to make and coupled with some new potatoes and vegetables it is delicious.
Slice the chicken breasts along the side making a pocket
stuff each breast with enough goats cheese to fill the pocket but not too much so that the pocket cannot be closed up. Add 4-5 fresh basil leaves into the pocket and then close the pocket up.
Season with salt & pepper before placing into a griddle pan (preferable) or frying pan presentation side down. Fry for a couple of minutes before transferring to oven for 20 minutes.
have started cooking this year using rosemary conley gi diet book. I always used packets and jars etc but now dont. shopping bill down to about ?30 a week now and I have lost 1 stone and 1 lb since January.
favourite recipes so far are spaghetti bolognese, chilli beef linguine and pork and mango meatballs with chilli sauce. If you want details i can send pm.
I find soup quite a filling starter so I dont bother, I just have some fruit salad.
good luck with whatever you do.
Pedro68
11-02-08, 10:17 AM
A few of my favourites:
Pan-fried duck breasts with a homemade plum sauce*
(serve with oven-roasted potatoes or crispy potato wedges, and veg of your choice)
Chicken breasts in a creamy white-wine and tarragon sauce.
Spag bol (but make the sauce yourself - it's soooo easy - if you want to her to know you've made an effort).
Thai Green Curry (use chicken, beef, or prawns). You can get thai spices in a packet, ready to go ... all you do is cut/chop/crush/bruise them and chuck them in a pan with some onion, garlic, and ginger and a little coconut cream, then chuck meat of your choice in (unless its prawns), and cook until meat is sealed, then add the rest of the coconut cream/milk, and simmer for about 20 mins or so. Serve with a suitable rice (thai-style jasmine basmati is nice).
Or how about fish?
Sea-bass is lovely :) Just finely chop a load of celery, peppers (red & green), fennel and some red onions. Lay the chopped vegetables on a large piece of foil, get the sea-bass and stuff with some garlic, butter, and dill, lay on top of the vegetables, then put another layer of vegetables over the top of the fish and add a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice, wrap in the foil, allowing a small gap for steam to escape, and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes ... dead easy ... serve with crushed new potatoes, with some of the veg from the foil ... doesn't take long, doesn't require constant watching/stirring, and is absolutely lovely (if you like fish).
Deep-fried goats cheese coated in a walnut crumb (if you fancy a bit of a veggie option).
Vegetables to try ... dice up some butternut squash chuck on a baking tray along with a couple of cherry tomatoes (on the vine), drizzle with some light olive oil, season with some freshly ground sea-salt and black pepper and bake in the oven for about 20 mins.
If you want a full (easy to follow) recipe for any of the above then PM me (anyone).
* the homemade plum sauce is well worth it (courtesy of some Jamie Oliver recipe) and is so easy to make.
Oh and finally ... if you want to make your own prawn cocktail dressing then be prepared to start by making your own mayonaisse ;-) it's easy when you know how ... I've made my own mayonaisse a few times now, and it is sooo much better than anything that Hellmans has to offer :-P
HTH,
Pete
missyburd
11-02-08, 07:52 PM
Spag bol (but make the sauce yourself - it's soooo easy - if you want to her to know you've made an effort).
I don't think I've ever made spag bol with a sauce from the shops! Far cheaper to make your own and tastes just as nice. I just chuck a tin of plum/chopped toms in with the mince and onions along with a couple of Oxo cubes, mixed herbs and tomato puree. Have started adding a few gravy granules in with it now too, thickens it up nicely. Yum!
Pedro68
11-02-08, 07:57 PM
I don't think I've ever made spag bol with a sauce from the shops! Far cheaper to make your own and tastes just as nice. I just chuck a tin of plum/chopped toms in with the mince and onions along with a couple of Oxo cubes, mixed herbs and tomato puree. Have started adding a few gravy granules in with it now too, thickens it up nicely. Yum!
Yup! Dead easy innit :-P I also add a glass of red wine and a tablespoon (or three) of light brown sugar :)
missyburd
11-02-08, 08:03 PM
Yup! Dead easy innit :-P I also add a glass of red wine and a tablespoon (or three) of light brown sugar :)
wine much too out of my league am afraid! (and price range :rolleyes:) good tip to remember though!
Pedro68
11-02-08, 08:13 PM
wine much too out of my league am afraid! (and price range :rolleyes:) good tip to remember though!
Well there's 2 schools of thought on it ...
Some say that any cheap plonk will do for cooking
However, (and the rule I tend to abide by) is that you shouldn't put any wine in to your food that you wouldn't otherwise like to drink ;-)
Plus, a nice bottle of red goes well with spag bol, so if you've had to open the bottle just to tip a glass in, you may as well polish the bottle off ;-) (hence why I also tend to stick to the latter school of thought) :D
i add grated carrot to my bolognese it thickens it too - much cheaper than wine
missyburd
12-02-08, 09:57 PM
i add grated carrot to my bolognese it thickens it too - much cheaper than wine
Ahh, now that I can try :smt023
Speedy Claire - Delia Online was the winner.
I managed to find 2 starters, a main coarse and afters all within my skill range.
Home-Made Pesto, Goats Cheese and Tomato Bruscetta.
Fried Halloumi with Lime and Caper vinegrette.
Stir-Fried Chicken with Lime and Coconut.
Strawberries in raspberry puree, with whipped cream.
Strawberries dipped in galxy choc.
It all tasted lovely and was easy enough for me to do...........winner for Valentines last night, especially as it was a surprise. Thanks.
Pedro68
15-02-08, 11:36 AM
Nice one ;-) and well done :D
missyburd
15-02-08, 11:41 AM
sounds yummy, good choice! :cool:
I made cauliflower/broccoli/carrot cheese last night, first time I'd had a crack at it and it turned out alright :) Love it when a plan/recipe comes together hehehe
magicrat
15-02-08, 11:41 AM
I'm always fond of adding booze to my cooking. Greatest success so far was a steak and guinness pie I made on Paddy's day a few years ago. I even made a pastry shamrock to go on top of it!
Bloody gorgeous it was! :thumleft:
I really enjoyed doing it too, which surprised me more than anything else!!!
missyburd
15-02-08, 11:51 AM
I really enjoyed doing it too, which surprised me more than anything else!!!
I find cooking immensely therapeutic, especially with some nice sing along tunes in the background :D (probably not so nice for my housemates to hear though heehee)
magicrat
15-02-08, 12:04 PM
Yeah, cooking is one of my favored relaxation techniques - along with riding ma bike and walking the dog :D
magicrat
15-02-08, 12:04 PM
Plus theres the bonus of good food at the end of it!!
and good ___ at the end of the food!!!:smt060
missyburd
15-02-08, 01:16 PM
Plus theres the bonus of good food at the end of it!!
not quite as much fun if you're eating on your own though but can't have everything!
Speedy Claire
15-02-08, 03:14 PM
i add grated carrot to my bolognese it thickens it too - much cheaper than wine
But does it taste as nice??? half a bottle of red goes into my bolognaise, the other half into my belly :D
Speedy Claire
15-02-08, 03:19 PM
Speedy Claire - Delia Online was the winner.
I managed to find 2 starters, a main coarse and afters all within my skill range.
Home-Made Pesto, Goats Cheese and Tomato Bruscetta.
Fried Halloumi with Lime and Caper vinegrette.
Stir-Fried Chicken with Lime and Coconut.
Strawberries in raspberry puree, with whipped cream.
Strawberries dipped in galxy choc.
It all tasted lovely and was easy enough for me to do...........winner for Valentines last night, especially as it was a surprise. Thanks.
wow... the menu sounds fantastic, i`ll have to try that halloumi, sounds really nice. I`ve made the Bruscetta but don`t like goats cheese so switched it for feta cheese. Well done you, i bet she was mega impressed with you :smt023
Oh yes - very suprised - WINNER!
Speedy Claire
15-02-08, 03:54 PM
If you enjoyed the cooking and plan on doing more also look at Nigella Lawsons website, some really nice stuff on there and extremely easy to prepare and make
Luckypants
15-02-08, 03:55 PM
look at Nigella Lawsons
If you insist :smt053
Speedy Claire
15-02-08, 03:56 PM
If you insist :smt053
ha ha ha.... she`s brilliant, i luv watching her cook
I made bruschetta too last night, few stuffed olives for starters, then stuffed chicken for main. Finished off with raspberry cheesecake and trifle for dessert!
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