Ideas for solo celebration..

[CurlewKate]

I'm alone today for a significant date in my life. No drama, quite happy, celebrations postponed til the weekend. But I suddenly thought I'd like to cook myself a special dinner just for me. I'm a good cook, I eat practically everything and I can shop at a range of supermarkets. What would you cook if you were me? Not steak because I can't cook it as well as my dp can-and he'll be back at the weekend. Live your favorite solo posh dinner through me!

Cauliflower cheese and chips with tomato sauce, apple crumble and custard for pudding 😋

Chicken cordon bleu (I’m keto so do the “breading” with pork rinds instead) with green beans sautéed in butter with garlic and pancetta. Seasoned with tarragon.

Coquilles de St Jacques for a starter. Boeuf Stroganoff for mains. Cranachan or a stracciatella mousse for dessert. I’m sure there’s at least three spelling mistakes in there but this makes me too hungry to check :)

happy significant day to you!

Hmm. So far my menu is scallops (maybe just seared, not St Jacque-ed) chicken cordon bleu and chips and green beans and cranachan. Thank you everyone- more suggestions welcome!

Prosecco risotto https://www.coop.co.uk/recipes/prawn-prosecco-and-lemon-risotto

Ooh I second scallops.

Is there something you love to eat that you don't much because your husband wont/can't eat it?

Chicken in a mushroom tarragon and sherry sauce

Roast chicken chips and gravy

Garlic prawn and tomato linguine

I think I would make either a miniature tiramisu or a mini cheesecake for dessert.

I have enjoyed making a cheese souffle in the past as well.

I would probably have a fit dauphinoise potatoes into my dinner somehow. I also really enjoy roasted tenderstem broccoli with garlic and salt etc.

Also, as someone who currently lives alone I'm a big fan of setting the table (well before dinner) with a proper set up - water glass, wine glass, lamps and candles instead of the overhead light, so I can just sit straight down with my food and switch modes into enjoying it.

I find doing it a bit before dinner (even if I light the candles closer to the time) means it feels less artificial than going round doing it while it's in the oven.

Champagne. A half bottle of champagne. Or two?

Salmon and asparagus risotto

And I'd buy myself a ready made tiramisu pot for dessert!

I'm a good cook and eat anything. But If my super healthy DP was out of town, I'd treat myself to a sofa buffet of a large pork pie, a giant bag of Doritos and a large bar of fruit and nut!!

If i were to cook, i think it would be duck breast (usually have leg as preferred by DP) with a plum sauce for example then a chunk of cambazola and decent crackers & red grapes for afters

Scallop starter, lobster main, & perhaps époisse with the brandy.

I'd do a nicois with tuna steak and perfect egg!

Champagne definitely, or an English sparkling wine - some sort of sparkling wine, anyway

Greek or Middle Eastern or North African meze - I'd buy or make a good selection and the leftovers would be in the fridge to be relished over the rest of the week. Warm pitta or some good bread with them. Olives, hummus, tzatziki, taramasalata, ful medames, Greek salad, Imam Bayildi, tabbouleh, spanakopita, stuffed vine leaves, halloumi, calamari, the list is endless.

Lengthy digestive pause. No main course. I would be too full. But then ...

A tiny square of baklava? And/or raspberries and cream. Or a lime and mascarpone cheesecake with raspberries (not necessarily with the biscuit base) - https://sainsburyarchive.org.uk/catalogue/search/samarkadv343117-sainsburys-recipe-for-mascarpone-lime-torte-recipe-card/search/eweo-term:Celebrities/view_as/list
Or just some very good ice cream, but I think raspberries would feature somewhere. I love them and usually only eat them when British ones are in season.

Coffee. Some very good dark chocolate, or posh chocolates.

Many happy returns, or whatever the occasion is!