Cooking For A Date Tomorrow!

[CarolinaKip]

It's our fourth date and the first time I'm cooking for him. He has eaten gluten-free everytime we go out to make it easier for me. He isn't really picky, just no tomatos or mushrooms. I was going to roast a chicken with lemon and basil, some fancy potatos and a veggie??? I''d like it to be easy, but good! I'm only going to have two hours or so to cook. He loves pasta. Anyone got a different side salad idea? Thanks everyone!

[Jestgar]

You could do a cold pasta primavera with rice noodles (make today)

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Bean salad (make today)

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standard tossed salad

what's for dessert?

[CarolinaKip]

Fresh strawberry cobbler if I have time : )

[Jestgar]

Fresh strawberry cobbler if I have time : )

Yummy!

And you have the bonus of just having strawberries and ice cream if you don't have the time.

Other salads (make today - I'm all about minimizing 'day of' stuff)

cole slaw

pea salad (basically peas and mayonnaise and onions)

carrot salad

pretty much any veggie mixed with mayo or ranch classifies as salad.

[love2travel]

You may already do this but if you rub butter/herbs under the chicken skin prior to roasting it flavours the meat nicely! Can I also suggest cutting a lemon or two and roasting cut side down when you roast the chicken? You can then squeeze roasted lemon juice over the meat which makes it flavourful and succulent.

Perhaps glazed baby carrots with fresh thyme for a side? A bit of lavender on roasted carrots is nice, too. Or how about a Japanese cucumer salad (easy to make a bit in advance)? Google Jamie Oliver's recipe under the same name. Very good. If you like asparagus try roasting it and drizzling with a lemon mustard shallot sauce or your favourite light vinaigrette. Or how about shaving raw asparagus with a few paear/peach/nectarine slivers, mix with greens, toast up some pecans/walnuts, add some shards of Parmesan and drizzle with lemon vinaigrette? Leeks gratin with bacon is awesome. Minted peas are colourful and tasty. If you already have fresh corn you could make creamed corn and maybe add in some roasted red pepper or sundried tomato for colour. I often marinate cheese such as feta with olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon zest, toasted coriander seed and sundried tomatoes. Simple steamed fresh green beans with lemons and pistachios are nice. An authentic Greek salad would be a nice contrast with the other hot dishes. You could stuff endive with creamy fillings such as whipped cream cheese and herbs or a mousse. You can also stuff cocktail tomatoes with all sorts of fillings. Believe it or not, roasted or braised radishes are killer. How about a puree such as gingered roasted carrot or fava bean or pea or roasted butternut squash? If he/you like cheese you can direct grill Halloumi or Provolone, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh herbs. How about roasted, stuffed or marinated mushrooms? Do you like creamed spinach with pancetta?

[organicmama]

Just make sure you're ok eating chicken off the bone in front of the other person

[CarolinaKip]

I plan to bake it all under the skin with butter under there too. I'll probably slice the chicken and use knive and fork.

[organicmama]

I think eating chicken wings and drumsticks is an awesome way to see what your date is made of! Should be good for a nice laugh.

[mbrookes]

Chicken is OK, but feeding a man for the first time I would go with beef or pork. A small pork tenderloin rubbed with herbs or seasoning blend will cook up fast and is good at room temperature. A pot roast (do the day before and reheat) is another man pleaser. Beware of "fancy" salads of side dishes. Many men are funny about frou-frou food. Good luck.

[Marilyn R]

I'm guessing he's maybe Italian since you said he likes pasta. (Sorry a lot if I'm stereotyping.)

Easy salad: Chopped, washed,dried romaine lettuce hearts with chopped salad cut hearts of palm (buy the can and stick it in the refrigerator the night before, rinse them and use about 1/4 of the can in your salad), chopped black olives, a tsp. of capers if you have them, no big deal if you don't.

I'd suggest a simple dressing. You can squirt a lime (or lemon, but watch out for the seeds!) on this, then drizzle olive oil on it, toss it and serve. You can add sliced fruit if you like, or nuts of your choice, but for a side salad I probably wouldn't do that.

I think your menu sounds perfect and hope you have a lovely evening.

[CarolinaKip]

Thanks everyone, it was an amazing night! I had roasted whole chicken with herbs, lemons, limes with butter and olive oil rubbed. I also had multi colored potatos and fresh green beans! He doesn't get home cooking much and he loved it. I had a great time. I'm so happy to have someone that cares enough to be gluten-free with me at my home and resturants.

[Roda]

Glad you enjoyed yourself!

[Jestgar]

Thanks everyone, it was an amazing night!

:)

[love2travel]

Thanks everyone, it was an amazing night! I had roasted whole chicken with herbs, lemons, limes with butter and olive oil rubbed. I also had multi colored potatos and fresh green beans! He doesn't get home cooking much and he loved it. I had a great time. I'm so happy to have someone that cares enough to be gluten-free with me at my home and resturants.

Great news! So it sounds as though there will be a fifth date!

[mbrookes]

Sounds like you may have found a keeper. Good luck!

[CarolinaKip]

Great news! So it sounds as though there will be a fifth date!

I hope so!!

[CarolinaKip]

Thanks everyone. I plan to make some of those suggestions. There was a fifth date He is wanting me to meet his son and taking us to Outback. I've not been there since going gluten-free because I'm pretty sensitive. How should I order to be the safest? I'm sure he will order gluten-free also. I have a week to figure it out.

[organicmama]

They have a gluten-free menu. Can't remember if it's online for sure, but I think so. We are dairy free too and they allowed me to bring in substitute butter and cheese and I even got to have Alice Springs Chicken. Their honey mustard is gluten-free.

[freeatlast]

Thanks everyone. I plan to make some of those suggestions. There was a fifth date He is wanting me to meet his son and taking us to Outback. I've not been there since going gluten-free because I'm pretty sensitive. How should I order to be the safest? I'm sure he will order gluten-free also. I have a week to figure it out.

Just keep in mind that they add MSG to their steaks. If that doesn't give you heartburn or headaches, then you're all set, if you order a steak, this is