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So what would you cook if you had a famous chef coming over for dinner?

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wildeyed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 04:57 PM
Original message
So what would you cook if you had a famous chef coming over for dinner?
I would make roast chicken with fresh herbs, fresh bread and some sort of seasonal produce on the side. The reason I picked that, roast chicken is simple, delicious and I do it nearly perfectly every time. Who could go wrong with seasonal produce? Since my abilities are modest, I wouldn't want to try anything flashy. Besides, pro chefs probably get tired of flashy anyway.

I would probably make a gourmet ice cream for desert. My chai flavor is the best so far, but if it was summer, I might go with peach or berry.

So what would you make to wow the pros?
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wakemeupwhenitsover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 05:04 PM
Response to Original message
1. Uhm, reservations?
I'm with you. I would make something homey. I can't compete with Keller, Puck, etc. I would probably make mac & cheese. How's that? Everytime I serve it people ask for the recipe. My sons & DILs call it 'gourmet' mac n cheese.

I'm not sure about what I would serve as a starter. Nothing starchy, of course. Or creamy. Or soft. Shoot. Maybe I'll have to rethink my main course.

:off to do a little thinking:
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wildeyed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 05:11 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. I dunno, hard to go wrong with mac and cheese.
You could go retro with the starter since mac and chees is so classic.
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wakemeupwhenitsover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 05:34 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. I could start with a salad, but I really like to
serve the salad after the main.

Dang, I can't think of anything for a starter. You know, I'll be pondering this off & on all day. :rofl:
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wildeyed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 06:00 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. Maybe you could do mac and cheese as the starter or side.
Baked in individual ramekins it would be adorable. Then do something like roast pork for the main.

You will be pondering this problem for a situation that doesn't even exist :rofl: But you will probably make the meal for friends and family once you get it figured, so it is not all a waste.
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Warpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 06:37 PM
Response to Original message
5. Something simple and fresh
I've been in that situation, and that's what I've gone for. I've also been surprised with a last minute guest who was a chef from France. I fed him the vegetarian minestrone that had been simmering all afternoon and he was hungry enough to pronounce it exquisite.

Dinner guests don't dome for the food. They come for the company and the conversation.
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NMDemDist2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 06:38 PM
Response to Original message
6. OMG! i'd be terrified to cook for a chef. I'd be terrified to cook for H2S
even :blush:

but speaking of H2S, his aspargus/pasta recipe would probably make the menu
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GoneOffShore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 06:57 PM
Response to Original message
7. Excellent choice
Edited on Sun Sep-10-06 06:58 PM by GoneOffShore
I once waited on Paul Bocuse - The restaurant owner was going crazy, trying to make sure that there were lots of super special ingredients in the house.

Chef Bocuse ordered a green salad and a cheese omelet.

So the answer would be keep it simple, keep it easy and you'd do fine.

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eleny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 08:18 PM
Response to Original message
8. Baked ham
I'd get a good quality ham from my favorite butcher and bake it Virginia style. Score it to decorate/flavor it with cloves, pineapple, cherries. Ginger ale in the bottom of the pan to keep it moist while baking. For the sides - cole slaw, plain baked sweet potatoes, homemade apple sauce plus some fresh steamed green beans. Lithuanian rye bread and butter.

Dessert - a homemade Lithuanian piraga (babka) and coffee.
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Stinky The Clown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 08:31 PM
Response to Original message
9. Leftovers
Well ..... maybe not leftovers. But nothing too fancy and intricate, that's for sure. 'Good eats' kinda stuff is what I'd do.
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grasswire Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-11-06 01:09 AM
Response to Original message
10. omelets, probably
A well-made omelet is always appreciated.

Or maybe Joe's Special. I like Joe's Special a lot, but rarely think to make it.
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TygrBright Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-11-06 09:33 AM
Response to Original message
11. Probably a clafoutis...
...with really good ham (Smithfield, maybe) slivers, a good seasonal complementary vegetable, and a sprinkling of gruyere on the top. With a good salad made from all fresh stuff from the farmer's market, and gelato from Gelato Benissimo for dessert.

I know my limitations.

trepidatiously,
Bright
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wryter2000 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-11-06 10:13 AM
Response to Original message
12. Lordy
I'd hope he or she was coming during tomato season because you can't beat the flavor of my early girls. I'd get an absolutely fresh sourdough baguette, slather slices with really good extra virgin olive oil, put cut up tomatoes on top, and shave some great parmesan (Reggiano) on top.

If the chef were from another country, I'd make good American home cooking. Probably fried chicken and mashed potatoes with homegrown green beans on the side. For dessert, strawberry shortcake.
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Karenca Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-11-06 01:20 PM
Response to Original message
13. I'de call my kid and
hi roomie over.
One is the process of getting his Masters in Food Science and the other one is
a French Culinary School Grad. They're wonnderful cooks. They'de cook the meal....
I told you I don't cook,but I have this food obsession!

I think the roast chicken iand seasonal produce is a great idea,
in fact I like everything you listed.

I'de be a bit stuck for dessert...maybe just a flourless chocolate cake...or some great cheeses.


Of course, a complimentary white wine with dinner, and a dessert wine for afterwards.
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troubleinwinter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-11-06 10:14 PM
Response to Original message
14. Good ol' homestyle.
My son-in-law is Executive chef at a five-star in San Francisco.

At first I was intimidated, until my daughter said, "Mom, he's just a guy. He likes regular stuff like lasagna and pot roast, like what he grew up on."

So that's what I make. Corned beef. Pea soup. Pot roast.

They lived with us for six months while they relocated. I was REALLY intimidated to have him watch me in the kitchen at first. But we had such fun. His eyes glimmered when I made ordinary old 'mom' stuff.

He only said that I put too much booze in the tiramisu, but he is completely wrong.
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Rabrrrrrr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-11-06 10:25 PM
Response to Original message
15. Something there was no chance of me fucking up.
i'd likely do my patented leek and potato soup, a fresh, homemade bread, and some good cheeses with a selection of artisan sausages and lots of butter.

Probably just fruit, or maybe a torte, for dessert.
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Shakespeare Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-11-06 10:34 PM
Response to Original message
16. Breakfast.
But only if the chef is Anthony Bourdain. :evilgrin:
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NMDemDist2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-12-06 04:46 AM
Response to Reply #16
17. ROFL
:spank:

you so bad!!!
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SoCalDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-12-06 05:25 AM
Response to Reply #17
18. Tony likes marlboros & coffee for breakfast.
Edited on Tue Sep-12-06 05:25 AM by SoCalDem
:evilgrin:
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