Given the chance to impress and cook for someone, what would it be?

I would make a pot roast with potatoes, carrots and green beans and gravy with buttermilk biscuits. And for dessert chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. =0)

Stir frying a Asian style dish is fun and seems to impress people. You can cheat and use the frozen mixed veggies for this, put prepping fresh veggies of your liking ahead of time and having them in separate dishes on the counter gives a professional touch when tossing them in the the sizzling skillet or wok.

Don't worry too much about complicated seasoning. Lots of minced garlic, soy sauce, a touch of ginger or curry will do the job.

Curry peanuts and some peanut butter make a great combination with the garlic and soy sauce as well.

I do the meat first, add the veggies, then add water and thicken after simmering for a while. I use cornstarch mixed with cold water to thicken the sauce. About two tablespoons of cornstarch will do the job.

Serve over crunchy noodles or rice, or cooked noodles, or if you REALLY want to impress, give all three choices to your guests! They will love that! Don't worry about too much food, the leftovers are great for later.

This can be a one pot meal, but an appetizer of store bought sushi or other Asian style munchies would be nice. I make an ice cream treat for dessert by covering a generous scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream in a layer of crunchy Chinese noodles, pouring a thin layer of Smucker's hard shell chocolate over it and putting in the freezer for serving later. Pat the noodles on the ice cream so they stick to it first.

If you have every thing prepped ahead of time, you will have more time to enjoy with your guests, but still be "cooking" for them.

Wicker or similar place mats with black napkins, and red napkin rings will add that Asian look and your good to go!

Enjoy,

Rick

I invented a recipe years ago that was based on what I had in my kitchen between paydays. It is no fail. Put some hamburger in a frying pan. Add some chopped onion, chopped celery, chopped green pepper. (You can even add red or yellow pepper, bamboo shoots or water chestnuts). Add some canned- or fresh mushrooms. Now, fry it all together. NO SEASONINGS. While it's cooking- it cooks fast- have your rice almost ready. Put the mixture over rice, add some soy sauce and crunchy noodles. It's a crowd pleaser.

I would make something homey and not too complicated, like a good baked pasta or simple roast chicken. I think that for a dinner like that, simple and well-prepared food always goes over the best. You can "class it up" a little if you choose to, by using very high-quality ingredients, serving it with nice wine and good bread, and setting a good mood at the dinner table with nice place settings and flowers or unscented candles.

braised rack of lamb in a mint jelly sauce served with red skinned potatoes on the side (mashed not so appealing) with carrots, shallots, garlic and asparagus. make sure u make a broth from the lamb, thicken it up a little, and serve it as the base of the meal and build everything on that.

I would cook a filet roast, sesame garlic green beans, roasted fingerling potatoes and creme brulee for dessert.

Hi, I cant never get wrong with appetizer: baked pears stuffed with goat cheese and herbsand wrapped with bacon or figs/ dates wrapped in bacon,drizzled with honey and serve with watescress or urugula or spinach.Entree: Shrimp galricky,lamb chops with fresh rosemary or mint and srushed baked whole potatoes or peas puree,the colors on one plate are amazing!!!Dessert; my homade pie with any fruit you will find or fresh papaya with strawber.with rum dressing or dark chocolate terrine with raspber.sauce and whipped cream.

I would make lasagna. Italian food is always romantic with a glass of good wine.

I would cook something I know I good at. It would be risky to do anything new.

Find out what is ur guest favorite food and make sure you can prepare it well