how to cook a great meal for my gf (i don't cook)

[elliottw]

so my girlfriend wants me to cook something, and i don't cook. i mean really, i can't cook a thing.
what's the easiest impressive thing to cook? i'm thinking some sort of meat that tastes really good on its own like a rack of lamb or something.

thoughts? i need sides, desert, drink, how do you pair those things? by ethnicity?

 

[Ludeykrus]

I think chicken or shrimp alfredo with a side of garlic bread, a salad, and maybe steamed veggies are really easy and impressive. Pair with wine of both your likings

 

[FLMountainMan]

Quick & Dirty:

Shrimp scampi is ridiculously easy and takes about fifteen minutes. Butter, garlic (minced in a jar if you want to be easy, mince fresh cloves yourself if feeling ambitious), scallions (chopped up), cheap white wine, shrimp (prepeeled of course). "Stir fry" in pan on stovetop until shrimp are white and opaque. Works well over angel hair pasta with some parmesan cheese, you can also finely chop some parsley as a garnish. Will cost about $30, at most, for ingredients (costs about twenty dollars here).

Sides: salad in a bag from the supermarket, or if you want to be original, buy some spring greens, chop in tomatoes, walnuts, carrots, maybe raisins. French bread
Dessert: I have no idea. I always just buy something like those nice ice cream cakes in the frozen section.
Wine: something white like pinot grigio
Candles

 

[RedLantern]

Does it have to be impressive? I think you'd be well advised to make something simple and yummy (tacos) than something that will be more impressive if it comes off well but has a higher chance of failure.

 

[lynchpatrickj]

Do a seviche. You start a day early so there's no pressure, there's no possible way to burn it, and it goes with lots of things.

 

[DNW]

Want something quick and delicious? Make a pesto, eat with chicken and store-bought fresh pasta. You can start with a salad and end with some store-bought desserts. It's really easy, and your gf will be blown away. The only thing that involves "cooking" here is the chicken. Even that, it's simple. You just have to season the chicken w/ s&p, then brown it in some olive oil, then finish in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Here's a good recipe for pesto: http://rouxbe.com/recipes/118/preview (the pecorino cheese is not necessary)

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by elliottw

so my girlfriend wants me to cook something, and i don't cook. i mean really, i can't cook a thing.
what's the easiest impressive thing to cook? i'm thinking some sort of meat that tastes really good on its own like a rack of lamb or something.

thoughts? i need sides, desert, drink, how do you pair those things? by ethnicity?

Tell her she is the woman and she should be doing the cooking.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by edmorel

Tell her she is the woman and she should be doing the cooking.

If you have to actually tell her that, you're already in a bad spot.

 

[why]

Barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen.

 

[elliottw]

thanks for the advice. i know she likes ceviche so if that's easy and non-cook, i think ill go with that. maybe some mojitos as drinks? i know how to make that... now what else goes with ceviche?

 

[why]

Originally Posted by elliottw

thanks for the advice. i know she likes ceviche so if that's easy and non-cook, i think ill go with that. maybe some mojitos as drinks? i know how to make that... now what else goes with ceviche?

Warm apple pie.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by elliottw

i know how to make that... now what else goes with ceviche?

Fish tacos.

 

[pajames]

I am constantly amazed by the large number of guys AND girls who haven't got the basic survival skills. Get a Joy of Cooking and learn to make at least one dish no matter how many times you have to try until you get it right. I learned to cook so I could better seduce women and it's done me pretty well. And learn to set a table!!!

 

[Kas]

Carpaccio
+1 on the pasta, pesto, chicken dish
White wine
Crèpes Suzette
Coffee with amaretto and dates filled with marsepan
Sex

 

[BrettChaotix]

remember that scene in Mrs Doubtfire where he orders food from the expensive French restaurant and then sets the table up to make it look like he did all the cooking?