Best Dinner Menu For Someone Special

Here is a Dinner Menu that your man will never forget!

Here is a meal that will get to his stomach and he will love you forever!

I think that the way to a man's heart or possibly part of his heart is threw his stomach and that is why I would like to share with you, a menu that he will love you for forever for and want more and more!

My hubby has made it quite apparent to me over the years that his stomach means more to him than I could ever have thought. If he returns home from work to a ready cooked meal made by my fair hands he shows his display of utter happiness just with the words that come out of his mouth after he has eaten.

My menu can be prepared well in advance leaving you time to lay a romantic table and spruce yourself up for the occasion!

I start with Tomato and Herb Soup with crusty bread (brought crusty bread to make life easier!)

Followed by Spicy Chicken with rice

and finally a to die for recipe for an Easy Apple Pie with clotted cream

The best way of cooking this menu is to have all of your ingredients out for each of the three dishes, ready for when you commence preparation

Tomato and Herb Soup - with crusty bread

Are you aware that in the 18th century tomatoes were known as the 'love apple' and it is thought to be an aphrodisiac!

2lb tomatoes

bunch of spring onions

2 pints of vegetable stock

salt and black pepper to taste

1oz butter

1oz flour

grated rind and juice of 1/2 orang

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

Did you know Tabasco can help clear your nasal passages ensuring that all that you can smell is the lovely food that you have cooked!

2 red onions

2 red chillies

8oz baby courgettes

4 chicken quarters

pinch salt

cayenne pepper

1/2 bunch of flat leaf parsley

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon paprika

5oz long grain rice

3/4 pint vegetable stock

1 teaspoon dried thyme

12oz cherry tomatoes

4oz black olives (optional)

couple of drops of Tabasco

My Easy Apple Pie with Clotted Cream

I think that this dessert is definitely a cert way of getting to a man's heart - the proof is in the pudding!

10 1/2oz ready made shortcrust pastry (for ease and to save time!)

1 1/21lb eating apples

1 lemon

1oz butter

1oz caster sugar

icing sugar to dust the top

Tomato and Herb Soup made easy

Cut a cross in each of the tomatoes - plunge into a bowl of boiling water for 30 seconds - refresh under cold, running water. Peel of the skins

Cut tomatoes into halves or quarters and slice the spring onions - put all in a pan with the stock and seasoning.

Bring to the boil - Cover and reduce heat - Simmer for 20 minutes

Make into a puree with either a food processor or hand blender - Put aside for a moment

Melt the butter in the pan and stir in the flour - cook for a few seconds then add the tomato mixture

Stir until almost boiling then add orange rind and juice, lemon juice and the coriander to the pan.

Done, cover and warm through just before ready to sit down and eat.

Spicy Chicken with Rice

Cut onions into wedges, deseed and finely chop the chillies (I put rubber gloves on for this)

Halve the courgettes lengthways and halve the chicken quarters

Season with salt and cayenne pepper

Chop the parsley - about 2 tablespoons

Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the chicken for 10 minutes turning until golden brown - transfer to a plate for a moment

Add the onions to the pan and cook until tender - remove these also for a moment

Add the chillies, paprika and rice to the pan and stir for approximately 30 seconds then add the stock - bring it to the boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes

Add the thyme, onions, chicken and tomatoes and cover

Cook for 10 minutes then add the courgettes and simmer for 10 minutes or until the rice is cooked

Stir in the olives, parsley and tabasco

Done. Lovely, cover until you are ready to warm through before serving.

Easy Apple Pie

Preheat the oven to 190 or 375F

Roll out the pastry to fit a 9 inch cake tin, remembering to lightly flour the work surface

Line the tin and cover to chill for 20 minutes

Peel and core and finely chop the apples

Grate the rind and squeeze the juice from the lemon into the mixing bowl with the apples

Dice the butter and mix all of the ingredients with the caster sugar

Spoon the mixture into the pastry case and brush the rim with a little water

Use the remaining pastry to cover the pie

Make a hole in the centre and brush the pie with water

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown

Hey presto - three course menu ready for that special occasion!

Serve the soup with fresh crusty brown bread and for a rich creamy taste stir in a spoonful of creme fraiche.

If you want less spice and heat use milder varieties of chilli and omit the tabasco sauce.

Serve the apple pie with whipped cream flavoured with a few drops of vanilla essence or vanilla ice cream.

Make sure that when you have both finished eating you both do the washing up!!

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