What to cook for a guy that is a full time cook, by a girl that can't cook at all?

Question

So my boyfriend is an amazing cook and he's too good to me. Our first date he cooked for me and it was amazing. He works way too much at a local resturant and never wants to come home and cook cause he has to cook all day long. I really want to cook him a great dinner but I have a cooking handicap. I don't know how to cook! Please I need pointers or great, easy recipes. He cooks pretty gormet italian so he's amazing and I don't want him to fiercly critque me. Help!!!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

i am a cook too ... honestly, i just appreciate the fact that someone else is cooking, let alone trying to make an extra effort just for me .

anyone can cook.. it just takes time and preperation. keep it simple i say.

fajitas are a good choice....simple..colorful, fast and of course delicious!

warm tortillas just before serving.. nuke if you like

saute ( fry) strips of beef or chicken until browned and simmer in "fajita seasoning" until cooked through

shred cheese/lettuce , saute mushrooms/onions/and peppers strips until tendercrisp. arrange on a nice platter.. and bowl some salsa and sour cream on the side. you can make your own and customise what you want on them . it makes the meal fun and interactive.

for dessert.... roll a tortilla ( ends tucked in .careful not to overfill) filled with cherry or apple pie filling...and bake till golden brown.. and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

very simple, yummy and the meal is not just food... but entertainment !

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

it sounds so good and easy and the desert does also. thanks for the idea!

Answer 2

macoroni

Answer 3

COOK TOGETHER. ITS MORE ROMANTIC ANYWAY. THAT WAY YOU CAN'T SCREW UP!

Answer 4

Just take him to his restaurant, it will be a compliment to his talents as a chef :)

Answer 5

apple sauce

Answer 6

Pizza with his favorite toppings spelling "I Love You".

Answer 7

I can't cook either. But i can make pizza

Answer 8

pastsa

Answer 9

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes/simple
Nice, simple recipes, I hope that they work!

Answer 10

Here's one you cannot screw up. Buy frozen dinners microwave them for the ammount of time suggested on the back or side of the box when they are done take them out of the containers and put them on plates and tell him you cooked. If nothing else you'll get a good laugh out of it.

Answer 11

Go to cooks.com and find an easy recipe. If you can read, you can cook.
Secondly, anything you cook for him will mean alot since you are doing it to make him happy.
I doubt that he will judge your cooking -- he should just be thrilled that you are interested enough in him to make him happy, and care enough to cook for him.
(And -- if he DOES critique you fiercely, you might want to find a more compassionate guy!)

Answer 12

easy, he might not even know this secret. make some pasta, not spaghetti, try penne or rigatone, buy some store marinara and add 1/4 apple sauce to each jar made, it cuts the acidity of the tomatoes. then sautee up some fresh mushrooms and onions with red peppers and opal basil, add some spicy sausage and your done.

Answer 13

Haha. I dated a cook for a long time and I cant cook at all. Just ask him what his favorite thing is. I did a horrible job of cooking the meal, but he loved it just bc I tried.

Answer 14

Fondue, Boil white wine, add pieces of swiss cheese to melt, dunk squares of french bread with fondue fork to eat. Serve on a pot on fire at the table. White wine to drink, of course. Candle light.

Answer 15

Personally, its not so much what you would cook but the fact that you did. Even if it was just macaroni and cheese. It would mean a lot to me. Some of my best memories and things that kept my relationship together were things just like that. If he is worth his salt as a boyfriend he will not critique your cooking and will love you even more for trying.

Answer 16

If he truly has a great palate and talent, don't try to impress him with skill...you won't. Instead, find a simple recipe and get the best quality ingredients that you can find. Then take your time.

Here is a GREAT online recipe site. I've never had a bad recipe from it. http://www.elise.com/recipes/

Soups are a great way to start. It's very difficult to mess up a good soup recipe. I have this marvelous cookbook "Leone's Italian Cookbook" that is currently out of print. (She had one of the most popular Italian restaurants of her day in New York.) If you can find this cookbook at a used book store, you will be set for life on Italian cooking.
*****************************
Oh my GOODNESS....Amazon has a NEW updated version of this cookbook. (Mine is from 1967). I'm ordering a copy right away. :D

Answer 17

Shrimp Spinach Salad

slivered almonds...... uncooked spinach..... shrimp.....raspberry vinaigrette.....crispy bacon

boil peeled large shrimp for a few moments in salty water until cooked and drain and cool
add cooled shrimp to bed of spinach.... sprinkle with almonds and bacon......when plated drizzle with the vinaigarette

serve with garlic bread
and iced tea

Answer 18

main dish~ Easy Creamy Pork Tenderloin

INGREDIENTS

1 pound pork tenderloin
ground black pepper to taste
1-1/3 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of celery soup

DIRECTIONS

Season pork tenderloin with pepper, and place in slow cooker.

Pour undiluted celery soup onto tenderloin, covering meat completely.

Cover, and cook on Low for 8 hours

side dish~ Garlic Penne Pasta

INGREDIENTS
1/2 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1-1/2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain, and return to pot.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and parsley for about 1 minute. Season with red pepper flakes and black pepper. Stir into cooked pasta, along with remaining olive oil. Top with Parmesan.

Incredible Garlic Bread

INGREDIENTS
1 (20 ounce) loaf French bread, sliced
1 cup olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 pinch salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven's broiler. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Add garlic; cook and stir for a few minutes until fragrant.

In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix in about half of the remaining olive oil until smooth. Spread 1 tablespoon of this mixture onto each slice of bread, and place them on the foil-lined cookie sheet.

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over each slice, then drizzle with remaining olive oil.

Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Watch VERY carefully, it will brown fast.

dessert~ Summer Berry Compote

INGREDIENTS
1 pint strawberries, quartered
1 pint blueberries, rinsed and drained
1 pint fresh blackberries, rinsed and drained
1 pint fresh raspberries
1 pint red currants
1 tablespoon white sugar
3 tablespoons chopped fennel greens

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl combine strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and currants. Sprinkle with sugar and gently stir in fennel. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Serve cold.

Answer 19

you don't have to actually cook,just buy something, already made up and you just make the sauce in your kitchen,
but buy something impressive
like speciality and you serve it super fancy, like in bawls of ice

Answer 20

1- Beef and Mushroom Risotto Recipe

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 package (5 1/2 ounces) risotto mix with garden vegetables
1 1/2 C. sliced mushrooms
1 C. chopped red bell pepper
2 cloves garlic crushed
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
2 T. grated parmesan cheese
1 T. chopped fresh Basil

Prepare risotto mix according to package directions.

Meanwhile in a large nonstick skillet, brown ground beef, mushrooms, bell pepper and garlic over medium heat 8 - 10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking beef up into small crumbles.

Pour off drippings. Season with salt and pepper.

Stir risotto into beef mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and basil.



2- Mexican Meatloaf Recipe

1/2 lb. lean ground sirloin
1 C. mild tomato salsa
1/2 C. each, frozen: corn and diced green peppers
1 t. ground cumin
1/2 C. plain bread crumbs
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Mix beef, salsa, corn, green peppers, cumin and bread crumbs together. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Divide mixture in half and place each half on baking sheet. Shape into 2 loaves about 6 inches by 3 inches.

Bake 20 minutes. Remove meatloaf from oven and serve.


3- Baked Macaroni and Brie Recipe

8 oz. dry pasta
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
1 C. milk
1/4 C. heavy cream
8 oz. brie with the rind removed
1/2 C. cracker crumbs
3 T. melted butter
salt and pepper to taste

Cook the pasta to ala dente. Drain well.

While pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, melt 2 T. butter and stir in the flour. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in milk and cream. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.

Cut the cheese up into chunks. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Salt and pepper to taste.

Toss in drained pasta. Pour into a buttered casserole dish or 4 individual 2 cup dishes.

Stir together the cracker crumbs with the melted butter. Top the pasta with the crumbs.

Bake at 350°F. for 15 minutes.



4- Chicken Casserole Recipe

2 C. cooked, cubed chicken
2 C. chopped celery
1 C. chopped onion
2 T. chopped pimiento
1 t. salt
1/4 C. toasted almonds (slivered)
1/2 C. mayonnaise

Mix and spoon into casserole dish. Top with:

1 1/2 C. shredded Mozzarella cheese and 1/2 C. crushed Ritz crackers mixed with:
1 T. butter or margarine

Bake at 350°F until crumbs are golden, about 25 minutes.


5- Italian Beef Salad Recipe

1 lb. rare roast beef from the deli, sliced in 1/2" strips
2-4 T. extra virgin olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
freshly ground black pepper
2 T. tiny capers (optional)
1/2 C. whole black Greek (oil cured) olives
1/3 C. parmesan cheese
6 C. mixed salad greens
2 C. steamed broccoli florets

Prepare the broccoli florets first. Steam until crisp-tender and run cold water over them.

Arrange the mixed greens on a large serving platter. Ring the broccoli florets around the edge, on top of the greens. Drizzle 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil over the broccoli and greens, then sprinkle with 1/2 the lemon juice. Salt and pepper, to taste. Heap the roast beef strips inside the broccoli ring. Drizzle with 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil, sprinkle with the remaining lemon juice. Salt and black pepper, to taste.

Sprinkle the capers and Greek olives over all. And top with the parmesan cheese.

Serve the salad on the platter, letting each diner eat off the platter. Or divide onto individual plates.


6- Texas Shrimp and Rice Salad

4 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 pounds unpeeled small shrimp, uncooked
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1 can cut green beens, drained
1/2 cup pitted ripe olives, drained
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup Italian dressing
3 tablespoons chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
curly salad greens

Bring water to boil in large pot; add shrimp and return to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 3-5 minutes. Drain shrimp well and rinse with cold water. Cool shrimp; peel and devein.

Combine shrimp, rice, beans, olives and onions; toss well. Combine salad dressing with seasonings; mix well. Pour over rice mix and chill.

Serve over salad greens.

Serves 6-8.


7- Spanish Rice

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. chili powder
Dash garlic salt
1 can tomato soup
1 can water
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup uncooked rice (minute)

Brown meat, add remaining ingredients.

Cover and cook until rice is tender.

Stir often as rice will stick.

Source(s):

Hope this helps................:)

Answer 21

I suppose it wouldn't help your situation any to simply get some whip cream and serve yourself up to him for dinner and dessert??

Answer 22

Homemade pizza is always fun and easy! I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping you with the dough!!

Answer 23

Find something simple.
Stir-frys can be good, just chop up some veges and put them in a wok or frypan. Add a splash of soysauce and maybe a tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce. Cook some chicken or beef (you can get stirfry or diced meat at the supermarket or just slice up some) seperatly or before you add the veges.
There's plenty of easy things you could try, don't try too hard to impress him, he'll probably be impressed enough that you made the effort.

Answer 24

*In that case, make maggie noodles and add lots of veggie and boiled & Shredded chicken to it !!!!!!