Cooking For A Date

A_Sober_Paddy

Hey all,

I'm just looking for some advice with regards to cooking for a lady, its our third date and I was thinking of doing steak(she does like steak)...I'm not the most consistent with steak to be honest as I'm not the all that fussy an eater...

Just looking for some advice on best ways to cook the steaks, most likely will be fillet steaks, and what sort of stuff to serve with the steak...

Ideally the most i can impress the better:D

P.S she is a fan of medium to rare steak

tmc86

Congrats :pac:

Id say you want to have as much prepared as possible.

You could get some decent mushrooms and make a nice mushroom and brandy sauce. Veg wise, some grilled asparagus might be nice and obviously very quick & easy.

Potatoes are the opportunity to do something different. You could do a nice garlic gratin or even hasselback potatoes, they would look a bit more decorative.

If she likes it medium to rare just go with that. As long as you have a good quality fillet the rarer the better!

Be polite and ask her just before you cook them, how she would like hers cooked.

the beer revolu

To be honest, if I had no great history of cooking steaks well, I would do something else if I wanted to impress.

There are so many variables involved when it comes to presenting a good steak cooked well: the meat itself, the thickness of the cut, your frying pan/grill, your heat source, duration of cooking, finishing in the oven, resting, seasoning. It really isn't that easy to consistently produce a good steak - it took me years of practice and trial and lots of error to get to a point where I get it right most of the time. Yes you can get lucky and get it right but you are just as likely to get it wrong.

My advice would be to cook a stew/casserole/curry type thing. Something that can be done in advance, is hard to get wrong and can still impress. As for suggestions, well, what do you like? There are infinite recipes here on boards and elsewhere. Find something you like to look of, let us know here and we can critique the recipe.
Maybe a light salad to start but keep it simple.
In my experience, nothing woos a woman like a guy preparing a reasonably good meal!

Loire

I think some nice salads would be good too, such as (homemade) coleslaw, potato salad and perhaps some feta, sun-dried tomatoes and olives in small bowls to nibble :pac: at.

The Hill Billy

the beer revolu wrote: »

In my experience, nothing woos a woman like a guy preparing a reasonably good meal!

So true! I got to Mrs Billy's heart through her stomach.



That ain't myoglobin! :pac:

duploelabs

Properly searing a steak is gonna make a lot of smoke and only if you've decent extraction, as much as it goes to a soft-focus look, that smell's gonna cling to everything

foodaholic

How about trying this http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/rib-eye_steak_with_33722

Mary Berrys recipe to cook steak in advance. It you don't like blue cheese you could use a different sauce

Jezek

I will suggest steering clear of the steak and doing something like a neapolitan ragu with pasta. You can make the pasta yourself if you wanna be cute about it. I add cinnamon to my ragu and it makes for an impressive-tasting meal that pairs perfectly with red wine.

good recipe: http://fxcuisine.com/default.asp?language=2&Display=107&resolution=high you can adapt this pretty easily!

You can serve pasta as first plate, then the meat of the affair with veg and potato for mains. for dessert I would make somehing like a lava cake in ramekins which can be prepared in advance.

A_Sober_Paddy

Jezek wrote: »

I will suggest steering clear of the steak and doing something like a neapolitan ragu with pasta. You can make the pasta yourself if you wanna be cute about it. I add cinnamon to my ragu and it makes for an impressive-tasting meal that pairs perfectly with red wine.

good recipe: http://fxcuisine.com/default.asp?language=2&Display=107&resolution=high you can adapt this pretty easily!

You can serve pasta as first plate, then the meat of the affair with veg and potato for mains. for dessert I would make somehing like a lava cake in ramekins which can be prepared in advance.

Sorry I'm working of my phone so readin the link isn't too easy, is the ragu a meat free affair

Jezek

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Sorry I'm working of my phone so readin the link isn't too easy, is the ragu a meat free affair

basically you make the sauce with a big cut of beef, then you can serve the pasta with the sauce and serve the meat as a separate course. It's still beef and as tasty as any steak I ever had!

A_Sober_Paddy

Jezek wrote: »

basically you make the sauce with a big cut of beef, then you can serve the pasta with the sauce and serve the meat as a separate course. It's still beef and as tasty as any steak I ever had!

That's quite a novel approach isn't it, or am I just too used to normal Irish meal composition

Jezek

Quite Italian actually.

A_Sober_Paddy

Jezek wrote: »

Quite Italian actually.

I'm not well versed with Italian cuisine :-P

Vision of Disorder

I say just go down the 'Varsity Blues' route, forgo the steak, get some whipped cream instead.

A_Sober_Paddy

Vision of Disorder wrote: »

I say just go down the 'Varsity Blues' route, forgo the steak, get some whipped cream instead.

Apt username there:-P

Mrs Fox

the beer revolu wrote: »

My advice would be to cook a stew/casserole/curry type thing. Something that can be done in advance, is hard to get wrong and can still impress.

In my experience, nothing woos a woman like a guy preparing a reasonably good meal!

I have to agree with beer here - make something well in advance. It's impressive you know when someone tells me, "...this meat had been braised for 6 hours", I can imagine when she walks in the front door and the smell of slow-cooked dish would just tantalise her. You'd have plenty of time to get ready and relax, maybe have more time in prepping for a cocktail or two when she arrives.

Mellor

Jezek wrote: »

Quite Italian actually.

The pasta and ragu maybe, but beef and potatoes, i'm not so sure.

A_Sober_Paddy

Jezek wrote: »

I will suggest steering clear of the steak and doing something like a neapolitan ragu with pasta. You can make the pasta yourself if you wanna be cute about it. I add cinnamon to my ragu and it makes for an impressive-tasting meal that pairs perfectly with red wine.

good recipe: http://fxcuisine.com/default.asp?language=2&Display=107&resolution=high you can adapt this pretty easily!

You can serve pasta as first plate, then the meat of the affair with veg and potato for mains. for dessert I would make somehing like a lava cake in ramekins which can be prepared in advance.

What type of beef cut would you recommend to use? Its only for two(herself is tiny by all accounts so not sure how much food she'll be able to eat)

pwurple

I think stick to the steak but get it right. Get some good quality meat from a butcher. Let the meat come up to room temp before cooking it (take out of fridge a few hours in advance). Season the meat with salt and pepper. Cook on a blastingly hot pan and finish in oven.

Serve it with things that don't need last minute faffing. No sauce. Go for Garlic butter, mayo, ketchup. Keep it simple.

Do your veg in advance (salad or roasted veg) and ditto for spud. Either gratin, or wedges.

Lemon tart would be a good dessert. Can be done way in advance. Pavlova might also suit. Nice and light after big meat dinner.

Loire

How about making potato salad and coleslaw to serve with the steak - can be made well in advance. Or for an easy starter, get some marinated olives, sun-dried tomatoes, some cheese and crackers.

Finally, will all this be "YouTube'd" so we can all see how you get on? :pac:

Alf Veedersane

Make something that's she likes that's relatively handy.

Going all out to make a 'fancy' dinner is a great idea but it comes with a higher risk of going wrong.

At this stage, you don't need to showcase culinary skills. It's the date itself that's the important bit

Tefral

If it were me OP id make tapas for the following reasons:

1. Goes well with either white or red wine.
2. A few small dishes creates a talking point about the different foods etc.
3. Shows off a wider range of flavours without killing yourself
4. Easy to make and prepare.
5. You both can eat as much or as little as you like, without feeling obligated that you need to clear the plate.

Something easy as Patatas Bravas, Prawns in Chilli oil, Parma ham and chorizo topped on crusty bread drilled in olive oil. Even something like Pepito Solomillio (Thinly sliced Sirloin/fillet steak on a nice crusty bread drizzled in garlic butter)

3/4 dishes there that would have you stuffed and are so quick to make and most of the work is done in advance.

A_Sober_Paddy

Cheers for all the advice.

Think I've been scared from my steak approach.

The ragu approach looks awesome but just not sure about the combination of pasta start with meat in the separate dish. Could always just use the meat and keep the ragu for Saturday, serve the meat with potatoe cretan, with a spicy spawn starter.

Just maybe a slow cooked roast, with baked vegetable with fancy potatoes, which I suppose the spicy spawn starter.

Got dessert sorted anyways which is one thing I suppose

the beer revolu

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

with a spicy spawn starter.

IT's only your third date:eek::eek:

Jezek

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Cheers for all the advice.

Think I've been scared from my steak approach.

The ragu approach looks awesome but just not sure about the combination of pasta start with meat in the separate dish. Could always just use the meat and keep the ragu for Saturday, serve the meat with potatoe cretan, with a spicy spawn starter.

Just maybe a slow cooked roast, with baked vegetable with fancy potatoes, which I suppose the spicy spawn starter.

Got dessert sorted anyways which is one thing I suppose

You can also just pull the meat apart and use it in the pasta sauce! or as you said use the meat separate. I would tell your butcher you need a cut of meat to cook slow and long, i use housekeepers cut as its cheap but you could do a lot better .

A_Sober_Paddy

Would something like this be too simplistic?

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/print/389

BaZmO*

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Would something like this be too simplistic?

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/print/389

It's actually quite time consuming though. I've made it loads of times. It's more a Sunday dinner thing.

Personally I'd stick to pasta or fish. Something simple that doesn't fill you up too much.

syklops

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Would something like this be too simplistic?

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/print/389

Roast beef takes time and a lot of prep, and if you cook like I cook a lot of clean up afterwards.

After all of which you are knackered.

magicmushroom

I would just season the steak with salt and pepper, rub in a little olive oil and into a hot pan, preferably a griddle pan if you have one (half price in Homestore and More at the moment!)
Sear on both sides to seal then turn the heat down a little and leave for a few minutes.
Let it rest before serving.

Potatoes - Boil up some potaotes, when soft take them out the water and leave to cool. Slice up, put a layer in an ovenproof dish and top with a little cheese and some frsh ground pepper. Keep layering this way - heat up some milk and cream and add some garlic to it for flavour and then pour over the potatoes and finish with a topping of cheese. This only takes 10 minutes to heat up in the oven, it goes all bubbly and lovely MMMMMM so good with steak!! Add crushed garlic between the layers if you really love it.

Veg - Something simple, maybe Asparagus or baby Brocolli, or I like to cut up some parsnips, carrots, red onions, red peppers and coat with a little olive oil, sprinkle some rosemary and roast in the oven for half an hour.

Best of luck you'll be fine!!

the beer revolu

I bet the op is sorry they asked.
Cook steak/don't cook steak /coook/this/cook that.

The Hill Billy

For any further suggestions on cooking steak please refer to this thread.

tHB

A_Sober_Paddy

the beer revolu wrote: »

I bet the op is sorry they asked.
Cook steak/don't cook steak /coook/this/cook that.

You just captured what I'm thinking now, I'll end up asking my hair dresser for advice now ha ha

Dizzyblonde

I say go with your first thoughts, and you can always get her to help with the steak. She'll be very touched that you're cooking for her and won't expect it all to be professionally cooked and presented.
It's much more important to enjoy the date, and too much pressure will only spoil it

Merkin

Ah Paddy, you sound like a keeper!

I think you have two options, you either go with steak and keep the accompaniments very simple or you cook an old reliable that you could do in your sleep!

If I was doing steak, I'd make sure to get nice cuts from the butcher, make sure you have a decent pan and make the rest of the dish as simple as possible. If I were you I would do a baked potato each as these don't involve any cooking and it will allow you to concentrate on the steaks. I'd also have a lovely big salad as well. Buy your lettuce pre-packed and make sure you have some nice vinaigrettes to go with it.

If you really have the heebie-jeebies about cooking steak then I would stay well clear, simply because it will cause you stress if you're fearful that they may not turn out well. What foods do you enjoy cooking? Something like a nice light Thai stirfry would be really simple, all the slicing and prep could be done beforehand, so all the cooking would only take up 15 minutes of your time. Or a yummy pasta dish where you precook the sauce and just add the pasta when she arrives.

I'd definitely stick with something simple and that you enjoy cooking as it will take the pressure off you then. Hope it goes well!

A_Sober_Paddy

Merkin wrote: »

Ah Paddy, you sound like a keeper!

I think you have two options, you either go with steak and keep the accompaniments very simple or you cook an old reliable that you could do in your sleep!

If I was doing steak, I'd make sure to get nice cuts from the butcher, make sure you have a decent pan and make the rest of the dish as simple as possible. If I were you I would do a baked potato each as these don't involve any cooking and it will allow you to concentrate on the steaks. I'd also have a lovely big salad as well. Buy your lettuce pre-packed and make sure you have some nice vinaigrettes to go with it.

If you really have the heebie-jeebies about cooking steak then I would stay well clear, simply because it will cause you stress if you're fearful that they may not turn out well. What foods do you enjoy cooking? Something like a nice light Thai stirfry would be really simple, all the slicing and prep could be done beforehand, so all the cooking would only take up 15 minutes of your time. Or a yummy pasta dish where you precook the sauce and just add the pasta when she arrives.

I'd definitely stick with something simple and that you enjoy cooking as it will take the pressure off you then. Hope it goes well!

Cheers, well we've had to rearrange to tomorrow night which in one sense suits me a little better, but i'm working tomorrow night...Also I've managed to get my steak pan back so I've got a few nice fillet cuts today so I'm going to have a little test run for tonight with the steak:D two steaks in a week i'm living the dream

Was thinking

Start:
Salad, with Feta & Black Olives

Main:
Steak
Asparagus w/Bacon Grilled
Potatoes Gratin

Dessert:
Homemade Banoffee Pie(Nothing spectacular but a least its tasty)

Was also thinking of some sort of Béarnaise sauce but was thinknig it might be a bit much

Vision of Disorder

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Cheers, well we've had to rearrange to tomorrow night which in one sense suits me a little better, but i'm working tomorrow night...

Will you still want text updates from the match you'll be missing?

A_Sober_Paddy

Vision of Disorder wrote: »

Will you still want text updates from the match you'll be missing?

PM Sent, but yeah I still would love updates form the game please

Merkin

Looks gorgeous! I don't think you need the béarnaise necessarily as there should be lots of moisture from the meat and the gratin. That's a lovely menu - lucky lady!

A_Sober_Paddy

Merkin wrote: »

Looks gorgeous! I don't think you need the béarnaise necessarily as there should be lots of moisture from the meat and the gratin. That's a lovely menu - lucky lady!

We'll see to be honest...At least it might make me stand out a little more than the average paddy

MissFlitworth

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Dessert:
Homemade Banoffee Pie(Nothing spectacular but a least its tasty)

You would entirely win my heart with this. If I knew where you lived I'd be hiding in your bins, staring in the window by now

A_Sober_Paddy

MissFlitworth wrote: »

You would entirely win my heart with this. If I knew where you lived I'd be hiding in your bins, staring in the window by now

Really, its not that fancy I was going to try something more fancy but everything has chocolate(which she can't eat)

MissFlitworth

I don't think dessert has to be fancy, it just has to be wonderful & Banoffee is wonderful. It looks great if you make little mini ones or decorate the cream with strawberries or banana chips or some such

A_Sober_Paddy

Just a quick one re Potatoe Gratin...Will it be ok for me to peel and cut the pots tonight and keep them in water over night, just makes cooking and prep easier for tomorrow night

Merkin

It really depends on the potato. I'd personally do them tomorrow because some do tend to darken and go a bit minging so best just to do them then I reckon.

Faith

MissFlitworth wrote: »

You would entirely win my heart with this. If I knew where you lived I'd be hiding in your bins, staring in the window by now

I've had a serious, serious craving all day for bannoffee pie after reading that post earlier.

MissFlitworth

I won't get home till nearly 10 tonight with smelly (literally smelly, some people need to learn about deodorant and washing their 'smoking fleece' every so often) college and I'm half tempted to pick up cream & bananas on my way home. I have everything else!!

Merkin

DO IT!

A_Sober_Paddy

Go for it...Just eating my test run steaks...If my ones tomorrow are even 25% as nice as these I'll be very happy...I really missed my steak pan it seems...Did my steak 2 minutes each side, nice a pink in the middle and a lovely colour on the outside

Dizzyblonde

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Go for it...Just eating my test run steaks...If my ones tomorrow are even 25% as nice as these I'll be very happy...I really missed my steak pan it seems...Did my steak 2 minutes each side, nice a pink in the middle and a lovely colour on the outside

I hope she appreciates all the effort and thought going into this meal

A_Sober_Paddy

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

I hope she appreciates all the effort and thought going into this meal

So do I:D

BaZmO*

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Just a quick one re Potatoe Gratin...Will it be ok for me to peel and cut the pots tonight and keep them in water over night, just makes cooking and prep easier for tomorrow night

As long as you don't slice them they'll be fine. If you do slice them, par boil them after slicing and they'll keep fine.