Does this sound like a good meal combination?

I like the starter

the main is too fussy i think, too many rich flavours in combination - a bit too "try hard". you ve got the brandy, the gratin, honey, coriander - too many different flavours going on. all quite powerful.

pud - not sure why you need the spun sugar and the cream.

quote:Originally posted by NickJ
i like the starter

the main is too fussy i think, too many rich flavours in combination - a bit too "try hard". you ve got the brandy, the gratin, honey, coriander - too many different flavours going on. all quite powerful.

pud - not sure why you need the spun sugar and the cream.

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? I was wondering if there was too much going on with the main too - but what could I do veg-wise that isn't boring?

The dessert definitely needs cream to cut through as it's nice and thick... and I want to play with my new blowtorch, hence the sugar.?

You are very brave spinning your own sugar ?

I'd just steam the leeks tbh - they're so lovely. Steak + cheese is too much I think.

Where are the potatoes? ?

I'm going to burn my eyebrows off aren't I??

Yeah I think the cheese might be too much - so steamed leeks, think the carrots should be ok, maybe leave out the coriander... ah potatoes, good call.? How about super-thinly sliced potato, something light and wafer-thin?

For what it's worth I would just roast the veggies (obv not the leeks!) with a bit of olive oil.

How would you cook the potato?

Sounds yummy tho!

Roasted leeks are lovely and very simple - meaning you can concentrate on cooking the steak - I know that would be bonus for me -as my multi-tasking skills are somewhat limited.

BTW the food sounds lovely.

Oh, you shouldn't go to too much trouble mate. I'll eat anything really.

? all, think I need to put a little more thought into things - just chucking some ideas about at the moment.

? Chook it's not for you, I'm doing you lobster.......

I really, really wouldn't attempt spun sugar unless you've done it before. It's madly hard and will make you cry while adding little to the dish. I also don't really like restauranty stuff like that at home, but that's personal taste obv. If you want to play with your blowtorch, bin the mousse and do creme brulee.

Is the brandy sauce a cream sauce? If so, I would definitely keep all the veg fairly simple and def avoid gratin.

I really like the starter idea.

Creme brulee[?]? No you do your sugar and have a play - it all sounds lovely to me - but then I am no great cook! Hope it goes well.

I agree with everyone else, keep the veg simple, just steam them, you have the sauce from the steak. Sauteed potatoes?

Is this for your boyfriend?

Why are you even pretending, you know you'll get distracted and end up in the chicken shop at 1 in the morning.

If really think you can resist all temptation and actually cook, I love the sound of your starter, think it may be better to go for steak, home made chip and simply veg. Also agree that attempting to spin sugar (with a broken finger) might lead to disaster.

I d use creme fraiche then with the pud, not cream. waaaaay too rich.

for the main, i d do the steak with the brandy sauce, but i wouldnt use cream - just degalze the steak pan with brandy and reduce it to make a fab asauce. i d do vichy carrots (dead easy and tasty) with thyme, and i d do dauphinoise potatoes.

this way, your pud is made in advance, your spuds can happily sit in the oven and it wont matter if time goes on a bit, and the carrotts are a dodle. the only think you need to watch then is the steak.

pmsl at knownowts "you will cry", so right though ?

? Yes POD it is!

Given that for dinner yesterday we had wine and a Twister ice lolly I wanted to actually cook something nice for once.?

? @ chicken shop. How very dare you! He's helping actually - so I'll make sure that I buy some flour too for the obligatory worksurface buttock impressions.?

I want to do impressive veg though, show off veg.?

Hmm, good point re. finger actually, given that I can't brush my own hair at the minute, maybe it's a bit ambitious.?

Come onnnnn i ve just given you impressive veg.

It sounds loofly, but a bit rich all together. You'll be too bloated to shag.

I'd stick with the starter, then do the steak with roasted sweet potatoes and a rocket salad. For pudding a creme brulee would be parfait - especially if you did one with a raspberry layer or sumfink.

quote:Originally posted by NickJ
i d use creme fraiche then with the pud, not cream. waaaaay too rich.

for the main, i d do the steak with the brandy sauce, but i wouldnt use cream - just degalze the steak pan with brandy and reduce it to make a fab asauce. i d do vichy carrots (dead easy and tasty) with thyme, and i d do dauphinoise potatoes.

this way, your pud is made in advance, your spuds can happily sit in the oven and it wont matter if time goes on a bit, and the carrotts are a dodle. the only think you need to watch then is the steak.

pmsl at knownowts "you will cry", so right though ?

id="quote">

Impatient much - I do have a broken finger you know, I am typing like a technophobic granny!?

? Nick. Good ideas - creme fraiche would be better definitely too.

We both like our steak blue so that should be fine too - just need to find a supermarket with a decent counter near to me as I won't have time to go to the butcher between now and then.

I missed KN's comment about crying!?

Good grief I've just realised that it's been over 18 months since I last cooked a proper nice meal.?

Which ones this? I feel so out of the loop ?

quote:Originally posted by Mrs Winkle
It sounds loofly, but a bit rich all together. You'll be too bloated to shag.

I'd stick with the starter, then do the steak with roasted sweet potatoes and a rocket salad. For pudding a creme brulee would be parfait - especially if you did one with a raspberry layer or sumfink.

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?No, I'd just be lazy and let him do all of the work. Joke, joke!?

Ooh I like the sound of the sweet potatoes, mmmmm. Luckily there's nothing that he doesn't eat so I've got free rein which is good.

He's sold on the chocolate pudding I'm afraid, that's officially non-negotiable!?

Boyfriend?! ?

Did you make an announcement? Did I miss something? why haven't we been properly informed! ?

yay for you though!id="size1">

quote:Originally posted by Sunset21
which ones this? I feel so out of the loop ?

id="quote">

Well he's the first boyfriend that I've had since I met my ex, so he's the only one... the others were not boyfriends by any stretch of the imagination, they were, er, distractions.[:I]

He's the one I met on Good Friday, the navy reserve guy, the one who I hyperventilated over when he turned out to be 24.? All is very good now, we talked to my misgivings and frankly he's bloody marvellous so we're giving it a go.?

quote:Originally posted by AnnaBanana
Boyfriend?! ?

Did you make an announcement? Did I miss something? why haven't we been properly informed! ?

yay for you though!id="size1">

id="quote">

Sort of - over the weekend.?

Thank you, I'm feeling pretty happy about it all. We've got a really similar sense of humour so I am spending most of my time laughing at the moment - it's really lots of fun. Plus he's extremely cute too. Which helps.?

I meant which guy out of all the ones in the running. I don't think I remember being informed of this one.

If he'll eat anything then you're already half way there - can't bear a picky eater ?

quote:Originally posted by AnnaBanana
Boyfriend?! ?

Did you make an announcement? Did I miss something? why haven't we been properly informed! ?

yay for you though!id="size1">

id="quote">

WSS!! What did I miss?!
SLD and a boy, sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G?

quote:Originally posted by Sunset21
I meant which guy out of all the ones in the running. I don't think I remember being informed of this one.

If he'll eat anything then you're already half way there - can't bear a picky eater ?

id="quote">

? In the running, you make my love-life sound like the Grand National!?

It was:

TFBMan - blew hot and cold, keeps getting in touch but then leaving it for ages. I got sick and tired of it, so decided to let it drop.
MusicianMarc - over before it began, realised he has an ego the size of a small bungalow too, just became annoying
RiojaMan - Huge error on my behalf!
Kiwi - really, really liked him despite the fact that he was patently a knob. Came close to saying how I felt but in the end just kept things on the casual basis that we had fallen into

So the sailor is a new one!? And most definitely the best.?

quote:Originally posted by Secret Lemonade Drinker

He's the one I met on Good Friday, the navy reserve guy, the one who I hyperventilated over when he turned out to be 24.? All is very good now, we talked to my misgivings and frankly he's bloody marvellous so we're giving it a go.?

id="quote">
Was he the navy guy that was doing the hot cross bun throwing you were talking about the day I saw you?

And the food sounds excellent but spun sugar may reesult in either ruined saucepans or a burnt down flat.

He's a sailor?? <swoon>

so how/when did you meet? Im very happy for you SLD! you most definitely deserve it ?

quote:Originally posted by Alicatt

quote:Originally posted by Secret Lemonade Drinker

He's the one I met on Good Friday, the navy reserve guy, the one who I hyperventilated over when he turned out to be 24.? All is very good now, we talked to my misgivings and frankly he's bloody marvellous so we're giving it a go.?

id="quote">
Was he the navy guy that was doing the hot cross bun throwing you were talking about the day I saw you?

And the food sounds excellent but spun sugar may reesult in either ruined saucepans or a burnt down flat.

id="quote">

Yes, he was the thrower but he was with that group (so was in uniform when I met him ?) Blimey I had no idea what I was getting myself into, it was only supposed to be a drink or two with a mate!

Oh dear, I think from the general consensus that I will knock the sugar on the head.?

quote:Originally posted by Secret Lemonade Drinker

quote:Originally posted by Alicatt

quote:Originally posted by Secret Lemonade Drinker

He's the one I met on Good Friday, the navy reserve guy, the one who I hyperventilated over when he turned out to be 24.? All is very good now, we talked to my misgivings and frankly he's bloody marvellous so we're giving it a go.?

id="quote">
Was he the navy guy that was doing the hot cross bun throwing you were talking about the day I saw you?

And the food sounds excellent but spun sugar may reesult in either ruined saucepans or a burnt down flat.

id="quote">

Yes, he was the thrower but he was with that group (so was in uniform when I met him ?) Blimey I had no idea what I was getting myself into, it was only supposed to be a drink or two with a mate!

Oh dear, I think from the general consensus that I will knock the sugar on the head.?

id="quote">
Haha. Sounds like it was a good day of drinking then. Men in uniform and a boyfriend out of it.