Dilemma:A romantic evening in...

[rubyredlocks]

Hello Ladies,
My husband and I had big plans this Saturday,but for financial reasons they've had to be changed.
We have a sitter for our 11 month old and are keeping our in-town hotel reservations,but can't afford the fancy dinner and night out on the town.(I'm not really broken hearted,alone time is rare)
My thoughts are to prepare an indoor picnic.
Pack some fine china,candlelight,and quilt,but with only a fridge and a microwave to prepare food that leaves me little options on what to serve.Hotel food is so-so.
I'm trying to think of finger foods or a theme to play off of.Just feeling a bit short of creativity and very short on time.
Any ideas?

Thanks much,
Ruby

 

[crwritt]

Just stop at the grocery store on the way.
Buy some wine, a roast chicken from the supermarket, artisan bread, a bag of fancy salad greens, some nice dressing.

For dessert, some fresh ripe cherries and strawberries, a little pot of microwavable chocolate to dip the fruit in.
You can warm the bread and chicken in the microwave, or have a cold green salad with chlicken on top.

Enjoy your night off together, nothing is keeping you from taking a walk to see the sights in town, or going out for breakfast sunday morning.

 

[roselily]

Gourmet deli is definitely the answer!

 

[texasgirl]

My husband and I went to World Market the other day and got some different things to try. You could try something like that, we got some salami, crackers, etc. We just had a living room floor picnic, but it was fun! Central Market has some neat foods too, but pricier.

 

[The Shirt]

You mentioned theme - and the first thing I thought of was well if she's someplace cold - perhaps some tropical themed food and the girl from Ipanema. Then I glanced up and saw Texas. (It's 13 below here today).
Hmm - perhaps turn off the lights, light the candles and recreate the night after a bombing in Britain. (I get into these theme ideas - sorry!), perhaps you could find some quaint recipes from Julia's Mastering the Art of French Cooking that might travel or some "ration" type foods. If it were me rations might be gourmet items from the aforementioned World Market or biscuits and the like. I'm a goof though.lol

 

[~*Red*~]

Parisian picnic!! And champagne!

 

[Helen Troy]

Tapas! I bet you can find all you need at a big supermarket or a deli.

 

[rubyredlocks]

Thank you all so much!!!Once again the ladies of the lounge come to the rescue.

I'm a sucker for Champagne,but what would be in a parisian style picnic?

 

[Snookie]

I cook salmon in the microwave. Either this recipe, or I get it at Trader Joe's (do you have that store?) and cook it in the plastic bag with some teriyaki sauce. Paired with green beans, also micro-cooked in the plastic bag.

All the food ideas sound wonderful. Mmm. Must eat dinner.

 

[~*Red*~]

Parisian Picnic

Thank you all so much!!!Once again the ladies of the lounge come to the rescue.

I'm a sucker for Champagne,but what would be in a parisian style picnic?

This is pretty close to what we do... we vary it somewhat by our mood, and what's available.

http://worldfoodculture.blogspot.com/2007/07/parisian-picnic-by-eiffel.html

 

[rubyredlocks]

Mmmmm...yum!
I think I'll see what interests my taste buds when i make my shopping trip and I'll take pics(if I remember) .
Thanks for giving me ideas,I feel like i have a goal now.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

I'd go with the hors d'ouevre and wine / picnic idea. Does the room have a microwave for reheating? If not, go with cold deli items and things you won't need to reheat. Keep in mind that whatever you bring in from the market or fix at home and bring in - a roast chicken, salmon steaks, whatever, china, silverware & other utensils, etc. - you're going to have to wash in a small hotel-size sink and cart back home. Hotel room trashcans aren't normally the largest capacity either - do you want to spend the night in a room reeking of salmon, chicken or whatever remains? Or would you want to check into a room with the remains of last night's party hanging heavy in the air? At the very least, bring a kitchen-sized trashcan liner or two, toss everything in that and call the desk and have them send someone up for it ASAP.

I probably would have done it the other way around - cancel the hotel room but still have the big dinner out, maybe keep the babysitter on overnight so you don't have to deal with it.