Up for doing something special for that special someone? Nothing says you care better than a home cooked meal. Now the big question is what to cook? I mean you can’t be pulling meat off a chicken leg (gross) or biting in an over sized ham burger (formal dinner it is, we’re not talking about a game night). It has to be something simple yet unique and tasty - remember you are trying to impress out here. Let’s start with my version of perfect date night - homemade meal.
Appetiser/Salad – because this will be a hint of what a great meal is ahead for your loved one.
Roasted Asparagus, Avocado and Arugula Salad
Ingredients:
1/2 lb asparagus (choose thicker, larger stalks if possible)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
pepper
salt
2 tablespoon pine nuts
1 tablespoon orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed, divided)
1/2 teaspoon fresh basil (finely chopped)
1/2 teaspoon honey (or agave nectar)
1 avocado (ripe)
1 1/2 cups arugula (about 5 oz.)
Method:
Roast evenly chopped asparagus stalks (about 1 inch each), in an oven till slightly brown and crispy. In a bowl scoop out avocado pulp and mash it. Mix in orange juice, lemon juice, basil, honey, salt, pepper, oil and prepare a creamy dressing. Take 2 separate salad dishes and layer the arugula leaves, followed by the roasted asparagus and avocado dressing. Garnish with pine nuts – and my rendition of it – toss over cottage cheese cubes and croutons.
Drinks anyone?!
Pomegranate and Watermelon Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 cups watermelon
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1 cup ice
1 tablespoon pomegranate powder (optional booster)
Method:
Just stick everything in the blender, make sure the lid is on tight, and blend until smooth. I’d say, garnish it with mint leaves for that extra color and scent.
Drum rolls please – Main course!
Walnut Crusted Salmon
Ingredients:
2 salmon fillets (4 ounces each)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon canola oil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried chili
salt
Method:
Preheat oven to 400° and prepare a baking tray with oil brushed over it. Marinate fillet with honey, mustard, thyme, chili, salt and coat it with a mix of bread crumbs and walnuts. Slide it in the oven for 15 minutes and Bon Appetite!
Save room for dessert – perfect ending to a fabulous meal
Banofi Pie
Ingredients:
sweet biscuit 250 gm (preferably wheat-chocolate biscuits)
Butter 100 gm
condensed milk 1 tin
golden syrup tin/ corn syrup 1 tablespoon
6 banana
chocolate syrup
Method:
Crush biscuits and butter together in a food processor, layer it in a pie tray (press it firmly) to set it well and place it in a freezer for about an hour. Boil condensed milk and golden/corn syrup until it gets glazed and thick, let it cool down, in room temperature. Layer sliced bananas, on top of the frozen biscuit crust, and pour the syrup. Decorate it! (Decently – please don’t go crazy using all of it) just a dash of chocolate syrup would do.
Dress to impress, clean your kitchen area, have the perfect lighting - Aromatic candles will be perfect! Have an amazing time and smile a lot!
P.S: All the ingredients used in the servings (Asparagus, Avocado, Salmon, Walnuts, Pomegranate, Watermelon, Chocolate and Banana) are aphrodisiacs – hint hint*
