romantic dinner

[joyful]

I just read the dating thread and got an idea. Well, to me its a new idea. I have never cooked a romantic dinner for my husband and I think he would love it! I mean like candles and the whole bit. Music maybe. Boy would he be surprised! Sometimes we are more like best friends and forget the romance part. We get along so well it just happens.
Any ideas on what I could make? (that is easy)

[brandis77]

I think that any kind of fondue is perfect for a romantic dinner! You could do bread or meat with cheese, or use it for a chocolatey strawberry dessert! Very sensual. :)

[Deana]

Great idea from Brandis! (now I wish I had a fondue pot!!)
I of course, would reccomend Italian. Here are two of my favorite sauce recipes (the first one is healthy, the second one - forget it. artery cloggin', but so, so yummy!!) You can serve both with bread and a nice salad.

3 lbs roma tomatoes
3 TBS olive oil
3 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 Cup - 1 Cup dry red wine (optional)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/3 Cup frsh minced basil

OPTIONAL ADDITION:
1 lb ground turkey, or ground beef
1 8 oz. can artichoke hearts (quartered)
1 8 oz package of fresh, sliced mushrooms

Preheat oven to 400. Cut tomatoes in half, and cut the stem end off. Place them cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are just slightly soft. Transfer to food processor or blender and pulse intil very smooth. Set aside.
In a large saucepan, heat olive oil. Add the garlic and red pep and cook 'til garlic is soft. Add pureed tomatoes and cook for 15 minutes. (The recipe says now to "pour the sauce into a sieve set over a bowl and strain to press out any solids. Discard the solids." ** I DON'T DO THAT. I just puree the heck out of the tomatoes. Plus, I like a thicker sauce and it's a big pain to do anyway...) Add red wine, salt, pepper oregano and basil. simmer on very low, stirring often for 20 minutes.

WHILE THAT'S IN THE LAST SIMMER STAGE....
In a large sauteeing pan, brown the ground turkey (or ground beef). After that is browned, add a can of artichokes (drained) and a container of fresh sliced, mushrooms, until the mushrooms are browned. Drain excess liquid. Add meat mixture to sauce.
I like to serve over medium sized chunky pasta like rotini or ziti, with a healthy sprinkling of fresh parmesan cheese!

Here's another of my fav's:

Gorganzola Sauce
2 Cups heavy cream
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese (I use cream chz. if I can't find mascarpone)
1/4 pound gorganzola cheese

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients . Bring to a low boil over low heat until all the cheeses are melted. STIR CONSTANTLY!

[Cheatara]

We make a really yummy sauce

First make a roux, but before adding the flower to the butter soften 4 shallots and 2 heads of garlic both finely minced.

Add 4 cups of heavy cream and heat to boil
season with salt and pepper

Add 1 cup dry white wine
re-season

Next add 1 pound of swiss cheese.
Re-season, you can also add worstechire, soy, or lemon juice if you think it needs any of that.

Put 1 lb of already cooked shrimp or scallops into the sauce and continue at a low boil for 10 minutes

Serve over pasta.

[Ellyanne777]

I like this idea. What other dinner ideas or recipes does everyone have.

[Csara]

Yum yum yum! Finger foods can always be used as a romantic dinner idea. Take a blanket and make an indoor picnic. Grab a bottle of wine and feed eachother. :D