Gentlemen, do you sometimes have a challenge at home?
You don't make the bed right (if at all), you don't do the laundry right, you aren't romantic anymore. (If at all!)Would you like to spend more quality time with your partner?
Does this sound familiar? Have you let things become complacent on the home front?
If so, I have the perfect solution and it is fun. It is easy and if done right, will cover a multitude of your shortcomings!
In a word -- cook!
You don't have to be a genius. You don't have to be an experienced chef. Just follow these simple directions. I promise it will win you points!
First, on the way home, go to the grocery store. Pick up eight ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, a pint of large strawberries, two small salmon filets from the fish department, a pre-made pint of potato or pasta salad (in the deli section), several slices of prosciutto ham, also found in the deli section, a favorite beverage and finally a loaf of fresh French bread found in the bakery department.
On your way out of the market, stop by the fresh flower department and pick up one single, long stem, red rose.
Take this home before your hard working significant other arrives at the end of the day.
In a small bowl in the microwave on low heat, slowly melt the chocolate.
Dip the strawberries, let the chocolate cool, and wrap them on a plate. This romantic dessert should take a total of 15 minutes.
Then wrap the fish fillets with slices of the prosciutto ham and put them in a plastic zip-lock bag. Pack a small cooler with the fish, salad, strawberries, bread and beverage. Then gather the following:
A small table (I bet you have a folding table somewhere,) two folding chairs, two sets of silverware wrapped in napkins, two plates, two glasses, a small grill or cook stove, a tablecloth, a candle and the rose.
Pack all of this in your pickup, SUV or the trunk of your car. When your wife comes in tell her to put on her shorts and walking shoes. If possible, don't let her see the table, chairs, cooler, food, etc.
Drive her to one of our spectacular beaches and surprise her with an intimate dinner for two as our beautiful Florida sun sets over the island.
Be sure you set the table with flare. Don't forget the tablecloth, candle and single rose!
The cooking part is easy. The prosciutto wrapped fish will cook very nicely on either your grill or small cook stove. Cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side or until it flakes easily with a fork. Be sure to pack a spatula to turn the fish.
The prosciutto holds the fish filet together and adds superb flavor. I prefer to use salmon but any fish will do. Make sure the skin is removed, and you may also add your favorite seasonings.
Serve the strawberries first and for dessert too!
Take a walk on the beach after dinner to add to the charm.
Of course, you could also do all of this in the comfort of your home, but you might have to increase the portions due to children or other hangers on, and will not have the beach ambiance.
In either case, the surprise of your cooking endeavor will certainly endear you to someone. Perhaps you may find that some of those small annoying things you've done may even find a little forgiveness.
You will certainly be a topic of discussion at her office!
Chef David Bearl, coordinator for First Coast Technical Institute's award winning School of Culinary Arts, has been a certified culinary educator for 16 years. He is a Certified Chef de Cuisine with the American Culinary Federation and was recently named Chef of the Year by the St. Augustine Cooks and Chefs Association.
David makes his home in Crescent Beach with wife MaryEllen and their family.
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