Tselani
Previously written for Regence BlueCross BlueShield
Food is sexy. Whenever I prepare a meal for someone I love, I’m giving a part of myself to that person. There’s love in the food because I take time to select a tempting menu, choose the right ingredients, and prepare each dish. Admit it ladies, isn’t it sexy when a man cooks for you? And men, isn’t it true that the quickest way to your heart is through the stomach?
My fiancé is a French chef living in Paris. We met over the garbage when we both worked at Le Restaurant Guy Savoy. The first thing we do when we see each other is make dinner together. In fact, I just arrived in Paris a few days ago. Upon my arrival, my fiancé made a simple, yet elegant meal of cherry tomatoes and fennel, mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette, perfectly cooked steaks, and a decadent chocolate cake for dessert. We topped the whole thing off with some lovely rose Champagne. I can tell you firsthand that it certainly set the mood for the rest of our evening!
When I teach at Sur La Table, I often have couples take the class because they are interested in cooking together. I recommend having a “date night”. If they have children, send them to a friend’s house for a slumber party. Turn off the phone, the TV, and any other distractions. Put on some music, and let the creativity begin. Cooking can be a great way to reconnect with each other after a busy week. And because there are two of you, preparing a whole menu is easy. Then sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Pour a glass of wine or Champagne, light a few candles, and let the rest of the evening gracefully unfold.
The menu below can be prepared as a couple or as a surprise for your loved one. I’ve even included a handy shopping list and step-by-step instructions. But if this menu looks too complicated, try homemade grilled hamburgers and fresh corn on the cob. Whatever you prepare, make it with love and serve it to the one you love. Happy eating!
Menu
Hors d’Oeuvre
New potatoes with smoked salmon and lemon cream
First course
Hands on Caesar salad
Second course
Seared scallops with coconut curry sauce
Basmati rice with ginger and curry
Dessert
Molten chocolate cake
Shopping List
Fruits and Vegetables
4 new potatoes, about 2 inches in diameter
1 lime
1 head garlic
2 lemons
1 heart of Romaine lettuce (usually found 3 per pack)
1 4-inch piece fresh ginger
Dairy/Eggs
1 small container lite sour cream
3 ounces Parmesan Reggiano
1 cube unsalted butter
4 large eggs
1 small container whole milk
Fish
1 4-ounce package of smoked salmon (lox)
6 fresh scallops, about 12 ounces total
Dry Goods
1 small jar lowfat mayonnaise, preferably Best Foods
1 small jar Dijon mustard
1 bottle Worcestershire sauce
1 thick slice sourdough bread
1 small bottle extra virgin olive oil
1 small can lite coconut milk
1 container curry powder
1 container ground cumin
1 small package Basmati rice
4 ounces good quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
1 package powdered sugar
1 package unbleached all-purpose flour
Preparation
1. Make the batter for the molten chocolate cake, put in ramekins, and in the refrigerator.
2. Steam the potatoes and cool.
3. Make the Caesar salad dressing and croutons. Leave at room temperature.
4. Make the lemon cream and assemble the potatoes
5. Assemble the salad.
6. While the rice is cooking, sear the scallops and make the sauce.
7. While you are eating, bake the molten chocolate cakes.
Food is sexy. Whenever I prepare a meal for someone I love, I’m giving a part of myself to that person. There’s love in the food because I take time to select a tempting menu, choose the right ingredients, and prepare each dish. Admit it ladies, isn’t it sexy when a man cooks for you? And men, isn’t it true that the quickest way to your heart is through the stomach?
My fiancé is a French chef living in Paris. We met over the garbage when we both worked at Le Restaurant Guy Savoy. The first thing we do when we see each other is make dinner together. In fact, I just arrived in Paris a few days ago. Upon my arrival, my fiancé made a simple, yet elegant meal of cherry tomatoes and fennel, mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette, perfectly cooked steaks, and a decadent chocolate cake for dessert. We topped the whole thing off with some lovely rose Champagne. I can tell you firsthand that it certainly set the mood for the rest of our evening!
When I teach at Sur La Table, I often have couples take the class because they are interested in cooking together. I recommend having a “date night”. If they have children, send them to a friend’s house for a slumber party. Turn off the phone, the TV, and any other distractions. Put on some music, and let the creativity begin. Cooking can be a great way to reconnect with each other after a busy week. And because there are two of you, preparing a whole menu is easy. Then sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Pour a glass of wine or Champagne, light a few candles, and let the rest of the evening gracefully unfold.
The menu below can be prepared as a couple or as a surprise for your loved one. I’ve even included a handy shopping list and step-by-step instructions. But if this menu looks too complicated, try homemade grilled hamburgers and fresh corn on the cob. Whatever you prepare, make it with love and serve it to the one you love. Happy eating!
Menu
Hors d’Oeuvre
New potatoes with smoked salmon and lemon cream
First course
Hands on Caesar salad
Second course
Seared scallops with coconut curry sauce
Basmati rice with ginger and curry
Dessert
Molten chocolate cake
Shopping List
Fruits and Vegetables
4 new potatoes, about 2 inches in diameter
1 lime
1 head garlic
2 lemons
1 heart of Romaine lettuce (usually found 3 per pack)
1 4-inch piece fresh ginger
Dairy/Eggs
1 small container lite sour cream
3 ounces Parmesan Reggiano
1 cube unsalted butter
4 large eggs
1 small container whole milk
Fish
1 4-ounce package of smoked salmon (lox)
6 fresh scallops, about 12 ounces total
Dry Goods
1 small jar lowfat mayonnaise, preferably Best Foods
1 small jar Dijon mustard
1 bottle Worcestershire sauce
1 thick slice sourdough bread
1 small bottle extra virgin olive oil
1 small can lite coconut milk
1 container curry powder
1 container ground cumin
1 small package Basmati rice
4 ounces good quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
1 package powdered sugar
1 package unbleached all-purpose flour
Preparation
1. Make the batter for the molten chocolate cake, put in ramekins, and in the refrigerator.
2. Steam the potatoes and cool.
3. Make the Caesar salad dressing and croutons. Leave at room temperature.
4. Make the lemon cream and assemble the potatoes
5. Assemble the salad.
6. While the rice is cooking, sear the scallops and make the sauce.
7. While you are eating, bake the molten chocolate cakes.
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