Help me cook a badass dinner

[SammyKid11]

Here's the deal...short notice, trying to do something special for the wife that doesn't include the grill (basically, there was something special done for me, wanna return the favor).

Looking for the SPECIFICS of a great meal I could make. If good ingredients are required, that's fine. I have a Central Market within a mile (high-end grocery). But I must know every step. I'm NOT good in the kitchen...I can cook a few things, but I need the instructions.

Looking for maybe a pasta+seafood thing...or other ideas are welcome as well. HELP OOT. What's your best?

[NevadaKaz]

Here is my singature appetizer to a pre pasta main. It may not be badass, but it is both delicious, quick and easy.

Chicken Pesto Bruscetta

Slice some ciabatta into approx1/3 inch deep slices.
Lighty rub with a garlic clove, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and grill.

Dice 1.5 chicken breasts.
Mix with 500ml of creme fraiche, spon in 1 teaspoon of pesto, mix again. Add more pesto to taste.

Place grilled bread on plate, spoon on chick/creme fraiche mix, dress with rocket leaves.

**maybe substitue chicken for shrimp if the main is seafood. Never done this myself, but I am sure it will work**

**The chicken/creme fraiche mix is best served room temp**

[Bad Beat Maker]

You're wife loves you.

[StevieG]

Duck Breast

No I am not kidding.

This will impress and is far easier than you think.

You will need duck breasts, you may have to call around for availability. Believe it or not, that's the toughest part of this recipe.

1) Score the fat of the duck breasts. Soak duck breasts in cognac, garlic, and sage leaves for a few hours in the fridge.
2) Bring heavy bottom pot to medium heat (no oil, the duck has plenty of fat)
3) Put duck breasts in on fatty side down for 9 minutes
4) flip over and cook another 6 minutes or so (this will make it medium rare. For more doneness, cook another 9 minutes)
5) Remove, slice, serve

See this link: Re: Iron Chef OOT 2/22-3/3 and don't let the Iron Chefness fool you. Forget the side dishes (OOT will come up with good ones for you) and concentrate on the ease of the duck recipe.

I like duck fat, and so did not score the duck fat before putting it in. Likely you should try scoring it first.

[Frelo]

Opening course : "Scallop flower"

Tasty, easy, presentation gives a plus.

Preparation : 5 minutes, plus 30 minutes in the fridge

For two :
- 4-5 fresh scallops with coral
- olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice
- parsley (just for the look)

Remove the coral from the scallops and keep it.

Cut each scallop in half. Not as to have two half-circles, but to have two thin circles (if someone could rewrite this in nice english... I'm lacking cooking vocabulary)

Anyway here is a picture, the cut scallop should look like this : http://stationgourmande.canalblog.co...sanguine_2.JPG

Dress the cut scallops in two plates like flowers, the coral being the middle.

Make a sauce with olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice, basically you put 2 big spoons of oil, add a little salt, pepper and then lemon until you like it.

Put the sauce over the scallops directly in the plates.

Leave it for 30 minutes in the fridge.

When serving, add a stem of parsley on each flower, so that is looks like the stem of the flower.

VERY easy and always appreciated. Unfortunately I don't have a picture.

[Frelo]

And for the main course : salmon w/mustard

As easy as the previous one.

For two :
- two slices of salmon, this kind : http://www.tournemain.com/pates/rece...s-saumon/2.jpg
- mustard, olive oil, salt, pepper
- aluminium paper
- basil

Cut two slices of alu paper.

Put the salmon slices on each slice of paper, the skin being under.

Distemper (today's new english word for me) the salmno with mustard. Don't be afraid, 1 big spoon at least on each slice.

Add a little olive oil, salt and pepper, and then basil.

Now fold the alu slices in "curlpaper", meaning the salmon is imprisoned but there is a hole at the top.

Preheat your oven 180C° (6).

Let the salmon cook for about 20 minutes, you should check from time to time.

Can be served with plain rice or any veggies you like.

[Holybull]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's the deal...short notice, trying to do something special for the wife that doesn't include the grill (basically, there was something special done for me , wanna return the favor).

Looking for the SPECIFICS of a great meal I could make. If good ingredients are required, that's fine. I have a Central Market within a mile (high-end grocery). But I must know every step. I'm NOT good in the kitchen...I can cook a few things, but I need the instructions.

Looking for maybe a pasta+seafood thing...or other ideas are welcome as well. HELP OOT. What's your best?

[/ QUOTE ]

Details and pics please.

[mbillie1]

[wdogg40]

Tater tot Hot Dish

INGREDIENTS

* 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
* salt to taste
* 1 onion, chopped
* 1 tablespoon quick cooking oats
* 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
* 1/2 (10.75 ounce) can milk
* 1 (32 ounce) package tater tots

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Crumble beef and salt into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add chopped onion; sprinkle oats on top. In a small bowl, combine the soup and milk and pour mixture over meat mixture. Top all with tater tots, placing them close together.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.

[gumpzilla]

I should try this duck business at some point. I'm worried that I will be spoiled for duck, because the only times I've eaten it have been at my fiancee's family functions, where there are a couple of hunters and it's fresh duck. That is some good [censored].