Valentines Dinner

_dogma_ · 11-02-2009, 16:44

Right guys, needing a hand here.

We've decided we're just going to cook a meal this year, have wine and watch a movie. I think we might have the starter and dessert sorted out but not sure about the main course.

For starter we're thinking of Scallops with Herb Butter. Not sure where to buy scallops and what to look for when buying, any hints?

Dessert will be either really easy Sticky Toffee Pudding (takes about 5 mins

) or Strawberry Meringue Crunch (if I can figure out how to make meringues!!).

Not sure what to have in the middle... Thinking about possibly beef-like something but not sure what to do with it or what to have with it. I'm also open to other suggestions about would fit well within the meal. I am, however, a fussy bugger and only eat pig, cow, chicken, turkey or fish and don't like too much veg.

Wine - I like fruity-ish wine and have no idea what would go well with the food. Something cheap and cheerful would do though.

Thanks

lostkat · 11-02-2009, 16:51

I think this looks fantastic, and simple too. Veg choices can be modified of course.

With scallops, buy them fresh from your local fishmonger or Morissons (always have a good fish selection). Make sure you get the kings rather than queens as they're the biggest. DON'T over cook them. They literally only need 1 minute per side.

LeperousDust · 11-02-2009, 16:53

Scallop's definitely buy them at a fish monger if you can, i'm lucky to have one about 10 doors away and he sells lots of random fresh exotic things, but worth it.

For the main course if you want beef, its not very "romantic" but a lovely thick slab of very nice beef steak lightly cooked so its still tender with some home made thick wedges and some kind of light salad with a generic White Wine Vinegar Dressing or something. I'm feeling hungry thinking about that now.

Also maybe think about wrapping the scallops in bacon, i've not home cooked it myself but i have eated it in a resturant and they were very nice, but slightly "different"! Yum

//Edit: Looks good LK

lostkat · 11-02-2009, 16:54

Parma ham would be more suitable IMO. Bacon is a bit bulky for scallops

LeperousDust · 11-02-2009, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostkat

Parma ham would be more suitable IMO. Bacon is a bit bulky for scallops

Yeah actually you're right it probably was that come to think of it, good call

lostkat · 11-02-2009, 17:07

Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops with Lemon and Parsley

NOM!

Glaucus · 11-02-2009, 17:24

Yeah if you can get scallops at a fish monger. however the frozen ones at asda are perfectly edible and tasty. not sure if they do the large ones though.

Hopw about something like decent butcher steak with a red wine sauce and sautéed potatoes.

Or something really slow cooked, with rich red wine and mash always good.

Muban · 11-02-2009, 19:19

If you want crunchy meringues and not chewy ones, you can make them in the microwave and they come out surprisingly well.

Microwave meringues:

1 egg white
275g caster sugar
paper cake cases or baking parchment

Knead together the egg white and caster sugar (it ends up looking a bit like royal icing). Form into 16 balls (about the size of a walnut). Either place into cases or lay a sheet of baking parchment onto the plate in the microwave and put the meringue mixture onto that. Place the merigue ball thingies around the edge of your microwave plate leaving them planty room to expand. I normally do this in 2 batches and have a fairly large microwave so can do 8 at a time, but you may want to do smaller batches if you have a small microwave. Then just microwave on high for 1 min 20 secs (based on a 750w oven).

You can use this to make a pavlova and if you are just going to break it up maybe just as easy. Roll out the mixture until it's dinner plate sized then microwave for 2.5 - 3 mins.

Glaucus · 11-02-2009, 19:24

I prefer pavalova bits. Ie chewy.

Don't know the qauntties. but to get the awesome chewiness. You add cornflour and vinegar.

Muban · 11-02-2009, 19:49

Have to say with meringues I am usually one for extremes, either really crunchy (like the micro ones) or super soft and sticky like you have on lemon merigue pie.

Oh and another vote for having a ham like Parma or Prosciutto wrapped round the scallops....MMmmmmm

11-02-2009, 16:44	#1
_dogma_ Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife. Posts: 278	Valentines Dinner Right guys, needing a hand here. We've decided we're just going to cook a meal this year, have wine and watch a movie. I think we might have the starter and dessert sorted out but not sure about the main course. For starter we're thinking of Scallops with Herb Butter. Not sure where to buy scallops and what to look for when buying, any hints? Dessert will be either really easy Sticky Toffee Pudding (takes about 5 mins ) or Strawberry Meringue Crunch (if I can figure out how to make meringues!!). Not sure what to have in the middle... Thinking about possibly beef-like something but not sure what to do with it or what to have with it. I'm also open to other suggestions about would fit well within the meal. I am, however, a fussy bugger and only eat pig, cow, chicken, turkey or fish and don't like too much veg. Wine - I like fruity-ish wine and have no idea what would go well with the food. Something cheap and cheerful would do though. Thanks __________________

11-02-2009, 16:51	#2
lostkat Good Cat Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,550	I think this looks fantastic, and simple too. Veg choices can be modified of course. With scallops, buy them fresh from your local fishmonger or Morissons (always have a good fish selection). Make sure you get the kings rather than queens as they're the biggest. DON'T over cook them. They literally only need 1 minute per side. __________________ Oooooh Cecil, what have you done?

11-02-2009, 16:53	#3
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Scallop's definitely buy them at a fish monger if you can, i'm lucky to have one about 10 doors away and he sells lots of random fresh exotic things, but worth it. For the main course if you want beef, its not very "romantic" but a lovely thick slab of very nice beef steak lightly cooked so its still tender with some home made thick wedges and some kind of light salad with a generic White Wine Vinegar Dressing or something. I'm feeling hungry thinking about that now. Also maybe think about wrapping the scallops in bacon, i've not home cooked it myself but i have eated it in a resturant and they were very nice, but slightly "different"! Yum //Edit: Looks good LK __________________

11-02-2009, 16:54	#4
lostkat Good Cat Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,550	Parma ham would be more suitable IMO. Bacon is a bit bulky for scallops __________________ Oooooh Cecil, what have you done?

11-02-2009, 17:07	#6
lostkat Good Cat Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,550	Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops with Lemon and Parsley NOM! __________________ Oooooh Cecil, what have you done?

11-02-2009, 17:24	#7
Glaucus Absinthe Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,855	Yeah if you can get scallops at a fish monger. however the frozen ones at asda are perfectly edible and tasty. not sure if they do the large ones though. Hopw about something like decent butcher steak with a red wine sauce and sautéed potatoes. Or something really slow cooked, with rich red wine and mash always good. __________________

11-02-2009, 19:19	#8
Muban Shoes, Boobs & Corsets Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The fastest town in Scotland Posts: 1,882	If you want crunchy meringues and not chewy ones, you can make them in the microwave and they come out surprisingly well. Microwave meringues: 1 egg white 275g caster sugar paper cake cases or baking parchment Knead together the egg white and caster sugar (it ends up looking a bit like royal icing). Form into 16 balls (about the size of a walnut). Either place into cases or lay a sheet of baking parchment onto the plate in the microwave and put the meringue mixture onto that. Place the merigue ball thingies around the edge of your microwave plate leaving them planty room to expand. I normally do this in 2 batches and have a fairly large microwave so can do 8 at a time, but you may want to do smaller batches if you have a small microwave. Then just microwave on high for 1 min 20 secs (based on a 750w oven). You can use this to make a pavlova and if you are just going to break it up maybe just as easy. Roll out the mixture until it's dinner plate sized then microwave for 2.5 - 3 mins. __________________ well, not to put a too fine point to it, he was discovered.. in the lounge

11-02-2009, 19:24	#9
Glaucus Absinthe Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,855	I prefer pavalova bits. Ie chewy. Don't know the qauntties. but to get the awesome chewiness. You add cornflour and vinegar. __________________

11-02-2009, 19:49	#10
Muban Shoes, Boobs & Corsets Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The fastest town in Scotland Posts: 1,882	Have to say with meringues I am usually one for extremes, either really crunchy (like the micro ones) or super soft and sticky like you have on lemon merigue pie. Oh and another vote for having a ham like Parma or Prosciutto wrapped round the scallops....MMmmmmm __________________ well, not to put a too fine point to it, he was discovered.. in the lounge