First meal for new man - help!

[whatnextfred]

Right. Date at mine tonight and I've said I'll cook. He eats 'clean' and a lot! No bread / dough. And no processed stuff. Ideally I'd like something I can one pot or mainly do earlier today when he's not here so I'm not all flustered....

Suggestions? Please

My first time cooking for another man in 15 years

Grass fed steak and lots of green veg would fit the bill as described.

Has he cooked for you, if so, what did you have, an adaptation of the same menu would be a safe bet.

I would cook steak also - steam a lot of veg and maybe sweet potato wedged in the oven

Ask him what his favourite meal is.

Big bowl of Chilli with Cajun spiced wedges, salad and home made guacamole. Everything can made or prepped early. Serve the chilli in big bowls with the wedges shoved in around it and a gooey puddle of melted cheese in the middle. Salad on the side , guacamole declaratively off center.

Do you want a LTR with someone who eats 'clean'?

Sorry, I know that's not the question.

Look up Anna Jones recipes on line.

He hasn't cooked for me. When we've eaten out he has had steak / sweet potato or chicken / noodles type thing. Was debating maybe a marinated spatchcocked chicken / roasted veg / couscous type thing.... I'm not a fan of chilli and don't really want to be trying to get a steak cooked perfectly whilst all a flutter

Or maybe a lamb tagine in slow cooker?

Both those options sound nice. Choose whichever you've made most before - or something else that is in your usual repertoire - it's stressful to make something new for someone you don't know well.

I also think it's hard to work out the food someone really loves from what they choose on a date in a restaurant. I had my now fiancé's great abs pegged as thanks to a penchant for fine-dining and small-portioned healthy eating. Not so much! He excercised so much that he could eat whatever he liked, but he chose places to take me that he thought I'd like.

The thing he really loves is stodgy, nursery food! If I want to make him feel especially loved then I make toad in the hole with onion gravy

Jamie Oliver sausage bake.

Masses of cherry tomatoes in an oven dish with fresh rosemary and thyme, garlic cloves and salt and pepper. Generous glues of balsamic vinegar and Olive oil. Mix it all together and nestle in six sausages (can look for healthiest ones).

Bake in the oven for around 40 mins.

I usually serve with crusty bread and butter but you could serve it with baked sweet potato and a side salad.

One pot - chicken casserole or beef casserole, with rice or baked sweet potatoes. Or a big beef shin or lamb shank slow cooked until falling apart.

REALLY don't go to much trouble. REALLY. REALLY.

I second steak and salad. Steak is so easy! Better still, let him cook the steaks so he can do it exactly how he likes it (and you can relax with a glass of wine).

Right had to make decision as only chance to shop was early, have gone for slow cooker lamb tagine with sweet potatoes. Will make some couscous too as I've never seen someone eat so much (not an ounce of fat on him) and can't do crusty bread. Also have some tenderstem and big bag salad. At least slow cooker saves me doing much when he's there. Thanks for all the suggestions

How is able to eat couscous and not bread on his "clean" diet?

Right had to make decision as only chance to shop was early, have gone for slow cooker lamb tagine with sweet potatoes. Will make some couscous too as I've never seen someone eat so much (not an ounce of fat on him) and can't do crusty bread. Also have some tenderstem and big bag salad. At least slow cooker saves me doing much when he's there. Thanks for all the suggestions

He just doesn't like bread / dough as he bloats on it.

I don't think I've ever met a man who cares about bloating!
Are you a healthy eating nut too, because otherwise this could really get on your nerves?!

Not a nut no but do eat pretty well. It's not an issue for now. I couldn't handle vegetarian but this is ok

Oh God. What if you just fancy a night in with a pizza?

God, he sounds hard work.

He's the exact opposite of hard work and has told me to cook whatever I want, I just want to make an effort to get it right as he has been so so sweet and really looked after me recently

Not eating bread is not that unusual?

I'd maybe go for baked salmon with potatos and nice veg?

But if he bloats, it will be because of the gluten. Which is in couscous.