Need some help on a private menu.

[Blade55440]

Alrighty. I got this girl I work with to commit to having dinner at my place. So I asked her to pick the protein and she decided on lamb.

So far I'm thinking:

Lamb Chops (RARE! heh)
Grilled Asparagus
Wasabi Mash

I realize it's not exciting, but it's a start...any ideas to replace the asparagus or mash? If I hear something I like I might modify my menu...not to mention I'm not sure whether to just do a basic pan sauce with the lamb, or make one for it.

Ideas? Comments? Suggestions?

p.s. For the food btw...not the girl.

[KYHeirloomer]

Not knowing her tastes, I'd be concerned about the wasabi mash having too sharp a flavor.

My inclination would be to go with something more on the sweet side; perhaps a plantain mash? Or a turnip/potato mash. Something along those lines.

With that menu I would keep the salad very simple.

[cookie jim]

blade.I too would change the mash.I like 50% potato,25% carrot and 25% parsnip.this not only taste great but adds color to the plate.also if you have a piping bag with large starr tip,swirll the mashed mixture on the plate.good luck on your date and as always...good cookin...cookie p.s.fresh flowers on the table go a long way

[kuan]

Don't forget the wine. Have some sweet stuff on hand just in case.

[KYHeirloomer]

"p.s.fresh flowers on the table go a long way"

Good call, Cookie. I keep forgetting that people have to be reminded of these things.

For what it's worth, guys, the number one aphrodisiac in the world is money; but flowers runs it a close second!

And, when all else fails, rub her feet!!!

[Anneke]

WHile a mash is nice, how about getting that buttery goodness in the form of a gratin? Maybe a combination of celery root and Yukon Golds, something a little different that she might not have tried before but isn't too daunting.
How adventurous do you want to get (in the kitchen that is)? Lamb is nice with a hardy ratatouille-type preparation, or with some swiss chard, or a swiss chard tartlet if you want to up the difficulty level a bit. Don't forget dessert... Or maybe a cheese plate. Have her try someting new; to be pleasantly surprised by new foods is the most exciting thing of all...

[castironchef]

You're asking the wrong question.

It really doesn't matter what you serve as a starch and veggie.

Repeat after me: "It's the DESSERT stupid!"

That's the closer, if know what I mean - and I think you do.

(I recommend chocolate rum pot-de-creme.)

[Blade55440]

Originally Posted by castironchef

You're asking the wrong question.

It really doesn't matter what you serve as a starch and veggie.

Repeat after me: "It's the DESSERT stupid!"

That's the closer, if know what I mean - and I think you do.

(I recommend chocolate rum pot-de-creme.)

Sadly she already said "I'll bring dessert!"

So I'm sticking with just dinner.

As for everybody's concerns... she said herself: "I'm not a picky eater" which was a plus.

One other thing. I'm not exactly well equipped (or stocked) for some of the ideas, but I like some of the ideas, keep em coming.

To keep up the comments btw...what kind(s) of wine would you recommend?

[kuan]

Originally Posted by Blade55440

Sadly she already said "I'll bring dessert!"

Well you're set then you don't even need the wine.

If you're preparing the lamb chops kinda plain and trimming most of the fat, I'd say a $15-20 bottle of Pinot Noir would work.

It doesn't really matter anyway. You'll know if the company's worth keeping immediately. The rest is all peripheral.

[shroomgirl]

um ok sexy food.....finger food.....it's actually proper to pick up spears of asparagus with your fingers, good to have a creamy dip. Frenched lamb chops too....
how about stone ground grits enriched with cream or mascarpone as the starch?
light green salad with viniagrette.

A box of good, really good, chocolate.....doesn't have to be many pieces but really good quality....even better dk liquid choc served in a demi.

Chambord is a really fun liquor, sorry fun is the only word that comes to mind right now.

[MikeLM]

The underlying theme here reflects the immortal Ogden Nash's poem...

"Notes on Seduction...
Candy is dandy,
But liquor is quicker"

Have a nice dinner.

Mike

[RSteve]

Hey, I've been married since Lincoln was president, so a seductive dinner is a little foreign to me. But, asparagus? A percentage of folks pass absolutely horrifically smelling urine within 20 minutes of eating asparagus. Who'd be more embarrassed being the second one to use your bathroom?

[kuan]

You guys ever play the kitchen game with asparagus? How much can you eat before your pee turns green?

[Anneke]

ha! try with beets!

[KYHeirloomer]

Beets make your pee turn green, Anneke?

You strange, girl!