What are you favourite 'make an effort' weekend meals?

[Howaboutthisone]

Maybe a broader question is better! I'm looking for some inspiration for something lovely to make for a Saturday evening, just me and DH meal.
What are your favourites?

I'm thinking of doing this Raymond Blanc poached chicken with morels recipe next time DC are out. I've done it before, it's not major effort but delicious and more special than everyday nosh.

I like stuffed chicken breasts (mozarella, tomatoes and balsamic glaze) wrapped in parma ham. Dauphinoise pots (ready done), with a green veg of whatever I fancy.

My favourite meal at the moment (although it doesn't actually take much effort) is new potatoes roasted in garlic and smoked bacon with griddled pork steak and red onion.

I'll be having it for tea on Saturday.

Oh my goodness penny that sounds incredible! What could I substitute the Parma ham for though. ?

We love the jerk chicken from Jamie's 30 minute meals book. It's quick (although takes longer than 30 minutes!) and lovely

Hmmm im.not sure...is it a no ham/bacon substitute? Leek? Boil and peel and use the sheets to wrap around? Or breadcrumb?

Fillet steak, Stilton sauce, French fries, green beans

Or
Garlic lemon chicken breast with a Parmesan crust, served with potato dauph, roasted green beans or wilted spinach

Or

Oo these sound lovely! I'll definitely be coming back to some of them.

Yeah penny I can't eat pork being a Muslim and stuff. The leek or bread Crumpets ideas both sound delicious!

Crumbs I hate my phone

This crab linguine feels like a real treat (although is actually really easy to make!) www.eatdrinkcook.co.uk/recipe-crab-linguine/

OR for something a bit meatier, these crusted lamb chops are gorgeous. Good served with little roast potatoes and some french beans :)
www.eatdrinkcook.co.uk/sun-dried-tomato-black-olive-crusted-lamb-chops/

Again very yummy looking recipes. Thank you! I also haven't tried them before so they tick that box too!

Chilly, try turkey bacon instead?

schnitzel served on a bed of spaghetti.

Any meat can be used, but I generally use pork medallions.

Bash them with a rolling pin to flatten out, then dip in seasoned flour, egg and breadcrumbs. Grill or shallow fry.

Cook spaghetti as normal.

In a frying pan, put in a tin of chopped tomatoes, add some seasoning, splash of worcestershire sauce and a good glug of balsamic and teaspoon of sugar, reduce it down and then stir in the cooked spaghetti.

Place the 'schnitzel' on a bed of spag and serve with lemon wedges and side of green salad

I made a nice rack of lamb for a special night in with DH a while back. They were on offer at Morrisons. I seasoned and fried until browned on all sides then finished off in the oven till they were done but still nicely pink on the inside (more luck than judgement). I made a thin gravy with a dollop of red currant jelly and served with crushed new pots and mint sauce.

I like making a mini beef Wellington when dh and I are alone. A lighter filo Wellington in the summer with runner beans or med veg and a full puff wellie in winter with dauphiouse and green beans or cabbage. With a reduced port sauce.

I also like to do home made gnocchi with mini mozzerella, pesto and sun blush tomatoes.

There are some lovely ideas here thank you!

I made this tonight: hairy bikers' beef stroganoff and we had it with fresh tagliatelle. It was absolutely delicious. It seems very extravagent to use fillet steak, but worth it, especially if just for two people. Alternatively I guess you would use rump steak.

That sounds lovely!
In the end I went for Rachel khoo's oeufs en cocotte with Parma ham wrapped asparagus for dipping.
Then mash with butter leeks stirred through with slow cooked lamb neck fillet (in honey, Dijon and cider) with honey Dijon and cider sauce. It was yummy! And I was grateful I'd left the dessert to vienetta!