[Laminar]

I'll be cooking supper for my girlfriend again this coming Wednesday night. In the past, I've made tortellini, tacos, and a really good chicken and veggie stir fry that she really liked. I want to make something good, but since I'll be going to her house I want to make it fairly simple. Any suggestions?

[TheWOAT]

salmon steaks,with a lil pepper and fresh rosemary on top, a lil lemon as well. 20 minutes.
esparagus.. place in tupper with water, microwave until cooked... add some butter. 4 minutes
buy some ready made salad, add your own fresh vegetables.. 4 minutes
DOne.

[nonhuman]

The other night I made tillapia (I really like the frozen, panko-breaded kind from Trader Joe's) over risotto with a home-made tomato sauce. Took a little while to cook the tilapia and the risotto, but was very very simple to make. For the sauce I just used some canned sauce we had in the pantry, added spices to taste, then right at the very end threw in some diced fresh tomatoes so they'd maintain their firmness and texture.

Turned out really well and was literally made out of just whatever we had lying around.

[Uncle Skeleton]

Steak. If you must accessorize, a baguette is easy too. Also frozen peas microwaved are awesome with steak (but what isn't?).

[shifuimam]

Yaki soba. It's possibly the most fulfilling dish ever made. Go to a Japanese or international grocery store and pick up a package - it's a soft yellow noodle and comes with seasoning packets. Make it according to the directions. Add mushrooms, tofu, chicken or shrimp, thinly sliced carrots, and any other vegetable that suits your fancy.

It's seriously the greatest dish ever made. It doesn't have any funny or weird flavors like some Japanese food...I can't really explain why, but it's really freakin' delicious.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by TheWOAT 

salmon steaks,with a lil pepper and fresh rosemary on top, a lil lemon as well. 20 minutes.
esparagus.. place in tupper with water, microwave until cooked... add some butter. 4 minutes
buy some ready made salad, add your own fresh vegetables.. 4 minutes
DOne.

She does really like asparagus so that's a good idea.

Originally Posted by Uncle Skeleton 

Steak. If you must accessorize, a baguette is easy too. Also frozen peas microwaved are awesome with steak (but what isn't?).

I'd love to do steak, and she liked the pork chops I made last August, but their grill kinda sucks.

[Uncle Skeleton]

Good meat can make up for a crappy grill

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

Yaki soba. It's possibly the most fulfilling dish ever made. Go to a Japanese or international grocery store and pick up a package - it's a soft yellow noodle and comes with seasoning packets. Make it according to the directions. Add mushrooms, tofu, chicken or shrimp, thinly sliced carrots, and any other vegetable that suits your fancy.

It's seriously the greatest dish ever made. It doesn't have any funny or weird flavors like some Japanese food...I can't really explain why, but it's really freakin' delicious.

Ooh, good call! I haven't really made any Japanese food in a while. Now that it's getting colder I'll have to start making my delicious Japanese curry again.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Uncle Skeleton 

Good meat can make up for a crappy grill

Is this some sort of euphemistic sex advice?

[Uncle Skeleton]

isn't everything?

[nonhuman]

Yeah, but usually I'm better at discerning the true meaning.

[Uncle Skeleton]

Feces-face + super-dong = A-OK. How hard is this? ( <- also euphemism)

[Rumor]

Beer butt chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, with corn on the cob.

The chicken and corn can be made on the grill.

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

Beer butt chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, with corn on the cob.

The chicken and corn can be made on the grill.

Delicious but hardly simple,

I vote for a beef lasagna + a baby spinach salad with few pine nuts on top to show you have a soft side.

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by Uncle Skeleton 

Good meat can make up for a crappy grill

It's the other way around I'm afraid.

OP: It's fall, what about a long, slow braise? Have you got several hours time? If so, take 2 lamb shanks, toss in seasoned flour and brown. Remove from pan, tip out excessive oil and deglaze the pan with a mirepoix of diced red onion, carrot and celery with a dash of salt. Put the lid on the pan and keep on a gentle heat until the vegetables release their juices. Put the meat back in, add 1/2 bottle of red wine and a little bit of beef/chicken stock. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer very gently for about 3 hours or until the meat comes away from the bone and is very tender. Reduce the sauce to a syrupy consistency, check seasoning and serve.

Serve with mot mashed potatoes. If she or you doesn't like lamb use oxtail or cubed beef shoulder instead. If you haven't got red wine handy use a good dark beer. In which case, add a stick of cinnamon to the braise.

[mindwaves]

Slightly overcooked top ramen with overeasy/scrambled eggs on top with ketchup.

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

Yaki soba. It's possibly the most fulfilling dish ever made. Go to a Japanese or international grocery store and pick up a package - it's a soft yellow noodle and comes with seasoning packets. Make it according to the directions. Add mushrooms, tofu, chicken or shrimp, thinly sliced carrots, and any other vegetable that suits your fancy.

It's seriously the greatest dish ever made. It doesn't have any funny or weird flavors like some Japanese food...I can't really explain why, but it's really freakin' delicious.

Absolutely. Though I’d take yaki udon over yaki soba any day (or, alternatively, yaki soba made with actual soba, as in buckwheat, noodles).

Damn, now I’m craving tsukimi udon. Mmmmm.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

Yaki soba. It's possibly the most fulfilling dish ever made. Go to a Japanese or international grocery store and pick up a package - it's a soft yellow noodle and comes with seasoning packets. Make it according to the directions. Add mushrooms, tofu, chicken or shrimp, thinly sliced carrots, and any other vegetable that suits your fancy.

It's seriously the greatest dish ever made. It doesn't have any funny or weird flavors like some Japanese food...I can't really explain why, but it's really freakin' delicious.

I'm thinking I might go with this...it sounds good. I'll probably add mushrooms, green onions, sliced chicken breast, carrots, and asparagus.

And ideas for fruit on the side? She's providing drinks, so that's taken care of. I'm waiting for a gay joke

[Dakarʒ]

I miss highschool, when making mac & cheese got me laid.

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey 

Delicious but hardly simple,

I vote for a beef lasagna + a baby spinach salad with few pine nuts on top to show you have a soft side.

My suggestion isn't simple but beef lasagna is?

[Lateralus]

+

[Graviton]

Spag bol.

Can't beat it.

[IceEnclosure]

I'd do a nice filet of seabass, mahi, grouper, whatever. Whether in a skillet or in a pan on the grill, very easy.

Seabass, I'd do a little miso something, with rice and veggies.

Mahi or grouper, possibly blackened, or just a little lemon-something. Again, rice and veggies.

Or, is it impossible to get good fish in Iowa? : |

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by Graviton 

Spag bol.

Can't beat it.

“Spag bol” sounds more like it can’t be eaten, rather than beaten. An unimaginably horrid abbreviation of two otherwise perfectly charming words.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by IceEnclosure 

Or, is it impossible to get good fish in Iowa? : |

No idea...I've never tried.

[Dork.]

Bubba Burgers on Texas Toast?

[RAILhead]

Fried bologna or mustard sandwiches. Either will work every time, I guarantee it.

[Peter]

Broccoli, Stilton and Pasta.

[nonhuman]

I'm in the process of making a beef stew right now. Smells delicious. Nice and easy too. But it helps to have a slow cooker and several hours to let it cook in...

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

My suggestion isn't simple but beef lasagna is?

My point was roasting a whole chicken and timing all the sides to be ready at the same time is a lot harder than preparing a lasagne which you can do before time and then just put in the oven (or covered up in a closed grill) for 20 minutes when she arrives. Beer Butt chicken would be more impressive, but with more stuff to go wrong (especially if they get distracted).

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Peter 

Broccoli, Stilton and Pasta.

Unfortunately its very hard to get Stilton outside of the UK and other ex colonies like Hong Kong, french people won't touch it (because its not French), Chinese won't eat it because (its something rotting they did not invent), Americans won't buy it (because its not sliced already).

Its a shame, good stilton (sliced of the big wheel not from mini pots), is one of the best cheeses in the world.

[Rumor]

Turkey burgers and home made fries.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey 

(especially if they get distracted).

hehe

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Oisín 

“Spag bol” sounds more like it can’t be eaten, rather than beaten. An unimaginably horrid abbreviation of two otherwise perfectly charming words.

OK, I give up. What on earth is spag bol?

[Ratm]

Excellent Taiwanese recipe that's super easy to make. The marinated eggs are addictive. Trust me you'll luv this dish.

Marinated Pork with hard boil eggs.
6 center-cut pork chops (1 1/3 lbs)
6 eggs (or more, up to you. I always make about 10. They go fast cause they're so good.)


This is the marinade
section 1
1/4 Cup Shallots * (or any kind of onion you'd like to use.)
2 Table Spoons Rice wine
1/2 Cup Soy sauce
1 Table S. sugar
1 Star anise
1 Stick cinnamon peel
2 Cups water

section 2
1/2 lb. salted cabbage or redin-snow(?) don't know what redin-snow is. I'll find out. But I don't use it when I make it.
1 Tea S. soy sauce
1/4 Tea S. sugar
1/2 Tea S. sesame oil

6 portions of cooked rice

1 Peel the shallots and mince. Put 3 Tbsp. oil in pan, over low heat saute
the shallots until golden and fragrant. Place in a pot with the marinade mixture and
cook for about 30 min over low heat until slightly thick and very fragrant.

2. Pound the pork chops with the blunt edge of the cleaver or with a meat
mallet to tenderize. Now, cook the eggs for about 10min in water to cover.
Remove and place in cold water to cool. Peel off the shell. Place the eggs and pork
chops in the pot containing mixture (marinade). Cover and cook over
low heat until the meat is tender.

3. Rinse the salted cabbage or red-in-snow (about 1/2 hour). Squeeze out the
water and chop finely. Heat pan and add 2 Tbsp. oil, heat until very hot.
Add the red pepper, salted cabbage, and mixture (section 2, above. not the marinade, section 1).
Stir-fry briefly over high heat and remove.

4. Place 1 pork chop, 1 egg, and a small amount of the salted cabbage mixture on top of each portion of rice.
Pour 1 Tbsp. cooking liquid over all and serve.

* If shallots are unavailable, substitute 1/4 C. minced onions.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

OK, I give up. What on earth is spag bol?

Spaghetti bolognese?

[ShortcutToMoncton]

If she likes steak and cheese, this is an enormously easy recipe that will impress...anyone:

Roquefort Butter Steak (recipe is for 4 steaks I think):

To make butter:

4 tbps unsalted butter
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese (eg. Roquefort)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Combine, mash until evenly distributed.

Steaks are grilled normally and simply: Brush lightly w/olive oil, season with good amount of salt/pepper, grill room-temperature steaks on direct high heat until done to your preference, which is wrong if it's more than medium-rare.

Take out, put generous lump of the butter on top and briefly allow to melt under foil; can serve with lemon wedges.

If you don't subsequently get laid amidst the stench of Roquefort cheese...you're a lost cause.

greg

[Laminar]

That sounds really good, I might have to try that next time she comes over here, since I have a real grill. What cut of meat would you suggest?

[IceEnclosure]

Feeding your girl a NY Strip is a little much. Give her a filet mignon, 8 oz.

I'm not into blue cheese but some other kind of compound butter is nice.

Actually, I'll kill for a good peppercorn sauce.

[Eug]

Very simple appetizer - Layer these together:

1. Slice of tomato
2. Slice of buffalo mozzarella
3. Basil leaf

Then drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar over the top.
Add a bit of salt and pepper.

And then you're done!



Repeat, until you've used up 2 tomatoes and 2 buffalo mozzarella cheeses.

Originally Posted by moonmonkey 

Unfortunately its very hard to get Stilton outside of the UK and other ex colonies like Hong Kong, french people won't touch it (because its not French), Chinese won't eat it because (its something rotting they did not invent), Americans won't buy it (because its not sliced already).

Huh? Any large cheese shop should have Stilton. It's quite common actually.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

That sounds really good, I might have to try that next time she comes over here, since I have a real grill. What cut of meat would you suggest?

Yeah, depends on how much she'd eat. I've used the recipe on striploin and ribeye steaks myself, with great results. I'd probably go with the filet mignon suggestion, or perhaps a smaller striploin. The thing is, for failsafe grilling you probably want to have both steaks of the same type (makes it a little easier if you're not an expert). To be honest, I'd go with $10 striploin steaks – ie. not too cheap, but not terribly expensive steaks either (so you don't need to feel pocketbook pain if she doesn't manage to get through it all....even though if it were me, I'd be ecstatic and just eat it for her).

Just make sure those are room temperature first, and you get that grill as hot as possible before throwing them on for good searing action!

P.S. – I've used that recipe even for people who don't like blue/Roquefort cheese, and they loved it. It doesn't act like a layer, but rather melts thinly over the steak and isn't as "strong"...delicious!

greg

[Laminar]

I made:
Soba noodles, boiled for 5 minutes and then added to chicken, carrots, mushrooms, green onions, and asparagus already frying in a pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 1/2 tablespoons of organic Soy Ginger sauce. She brought some red wine to have with it and we baked cookies afterwards, it was all really really good.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[RAILhead]

Do you mean you baked cookies — or you "baked cookies"...?

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Huh? Any large cheese shop should have Stilton. It's quite common actually.

Thats my point you would probably need to go to a specialist shop, considering its only made in a couple of places in the UK, its not the kind of thing you would pick up with the everyday groceries in the US.

Maybe i'm wrong, but I never saw it and I am a cheese addict.

[Gator Lager]

Originally Posted by Lateralus 

+

man this is college food. and don't forget tuna and mac&cheese. hmmmm the old college days.

and if you're looking for recipe idea's go here.
Top Secret Recipes
you can find the colonel's secret ingredients, well so they say.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by RAILhead 

Do you mean you baked cookies — or you "baked cookies"...?

Take your pick. Either one's probably right.

[RAILhead]

Williams-Sonoma | Catalog

[Graviton]

Originally Posted by Oisín 

“Spag bol” sounds more like it can’t be eaten, rather than beaten. An unimaginably horrid abbreviation of two otherwise perfectly charming words.

No matter how you ponce it up, all food is just a turd waiting to happen.

[RAILhead]

Actually, no. You see, there are 2 kinds of food: the kind that makes a turd, and the kind that pushes a turd.