how to pull together a meal with disjointed courses
This is a very random question, but I made the mistake of offering my boyfriend ANY meal he wants for his birthday. He chose (I am so not kidding):
1. Maine-style lobster roll
2. Steak
3. Macaroni and cheese
4. Strawberry shortcake
I am going to make these all in small portions (almost tapas style) so we don't die or pass out during the meal from overeating.
The question is -- what can I possibly do for sides or appetizers in a meal with lobster, cheese, and steak? I guess anything green, but it all seems so unrelated that I'm having a hard time figuring out how to order the courses and make it have any kind of flow. I don't usually do meals with more than one or two courses so I'm open to any suggestions!! Much appreciated.
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17 Comments:
i just made a really nice, colorful coleslaw with savoy cabbage, red peppers, scallions, -- olive oil, red wine vinegar and SLICED FRESH CHILI'S... of course, salt & freshly ground black pepper.... it was so refreshing and delicious and the chili's really made it unusual.... oh, i meant to add some fresh parsley or cilantro... but never got around to it. i think it would work well with the lobster roll, mac 'n cheese & steak ....
sounds like a fun evening.....
pooch at 8:21PM on 10/29/08
Perhaps you could think of the meal as surf & turf with mac & cheese and a roll. Any great vegetable side would work, as long as it has good color. I love a crisp green salad with lots of veggies and grape halves or chunks of crisp apple, and feta or blue cheese..... You could also have a roasted side of any green vegetable that he likes, or a combo like asparagus and green beans.
Another possibility would be to give him the lobster roll for lunch, with a side of mac & cheese and then make a great steak dinner. Love his choice of dessert!
PerkyMac at 8:37PM on 10/29/08
i once saw a contest on Food Network and the best mac and cheese recipe was one that included lobster... i know you mentioned he wants the sandwich version of the lobster, but maybe this is a way to simplify your life combining two of the elements...
Maybe you can make a lobster mac & cheese for main course with a nice green salad with a creamy dressing and some garlic breadsticks (addressing the dressing, bread and salad you're supposed to have with the lobster roll you're no longer making...)
For the steak, maybe you can make thin strips in skewers as an appetizer... like a satay idea?? but with more american seasonings, to go with the mac & cheese.
and the dessert is taken care of... hope this helps...
MadelynRodriguez at 8:50PM on 10/29/08
I think sauteed snowpeas, with or without a dusting of parmesan, would be a nice side. I'm eating some right now and wondering why I don't make them more often.
renzata at 10:26PM on 10/29/08
Mixed greens (maybe a spicy mix) with the lobster roll, broccoli (either blanched and briefly sauteed or steamed) with the mac and cheese, and some sort of green sauteed in a bit of olive oil and garlic with the steak?
producestories at 10:46PM on 10/29/08
Though it would probably make the foodie in me cringe if I were in the same situation, my guess is that your boyfriend doesn't really care if his courses "go together" or not. Throw in a nice green salad with the lobster roll and make it work (but only because it's his special day).
thehostess at 11:58PM on 10/29/08
I'd do mini lobster rolls as an appetizer, then have the steak w/mac n cheese and a greens salad as the main.
mepolo at 8:05AM on 10/30/08
thethostess is right about him not caring what "goes together". I have 4 sons who are die-hard carnivores. Let me pass on a tip. When males say "Steak", they visualize a massive sizzling slab of bleeding beef that takes center stage. I would definitely give the steak prominence and give the 3 other protein requests smaller supporting roles.
You could maybe cut the lobster roll into smallish sections, or do a toasted openfaced version, cut into respectable slices, dribbled with melted butter, and arranged around that steak on a beautiful rustic platter.
The mac & cheese you could bake in a small baking dish as a side.
Rinse a glass beer mug and pop in the freezer for a few minutes, then fill with his favorite brew and present that next to that awesome steak. If a marriage proposal doesn't follow, I'll eat my hat.
The trick is in getting the correct proportions here - and honest, he won't even notice there aren't any vegetables.
moibec at 8:10AM on 10/30/08
Make that "2 other protein requests". It's early and I can't count.
moibec at 8:17AM on 10/30/08
I like mepolo's idea! We have mac & cheese as a side with a baked ham.
Then just stick a candle in the strawberry short cake.
NanaJoie at 8:48AM on 10/30/08
You don't ask for advice, but I'll offer it. Personally, I think you should tell him that there's a reason we eat strawberry shortcake in the summer, not the fall. (I write this assuming you don't live in the southern hemisphere.) It's a fantastic dessert, but it's not so fantastic if you're stuck using half-ripe, flavorless strawberries. You're making a delicious meal, but I think your finale may fall flat through no fault of your own. Could you give him an IOU for strawberry shortcake in 8 months and make a dessert that requires fewer out-of-season ingredients?
chgoeditor at 9:15AM on 10/30/08
I guess the bottom line is that it's all about HIM and what he wants. Make a salad or prepare something green. It will make you feel better, but your boyfriend probably won't care. My husband and 3 boys don't have any concept of foods that go together. They just know what they like.
Fix him what he's requested without comment. What a great gift!
pegfoley at 11:59AM on 10/30/08
I agree with the lobster roll as an appetizer (see if you can find mini hot dog rolls or slider rolls). Then make the steak the main course. Mac and cheese on the side with a green salad and the shortcake for dessert.
Amandarama at 12:22PM on 10/30/08
I'll third or fourth (whereever it's at) throwing in something crisp, cool, and simple. That's a lot of warm, flavorful, and/or heavy dishes.
Something like a small salad platter of cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, mandarin oranges in a very, very light dressing feels...cleansing to me.
Or chopped asparagus and cocktail shrimp, tossed lightly in Italian dressing with a touch of lemon and ground pepper.
Unless he doesn't care for veggies, then scratch the idea! :)
Maybe some kind of citrus sorbet between courses or to start.
Cassaendra at 12:27PM on 10/30/08
Personally, I don't like a cold salad on the side of an entree, and my guess is that he won't eat it either. Especially next to a hot, juicy steak!
I'd go with the lobster rolls as an app, as previously mentioned, then go very steakhouse with the steak, mac & cheese on the side (I'd make it in individual ramekins), and a classic steakhouse veggie like sauteed spinach, which I think would go well, or sauteed mushrooms, or even roasted carrots.
cyberroo at 1:45PM on 10/30/08
I third the idea of making the lobster roll as an appetizer and then having either spinach (very lightly creamed, given the mac and cheese) or asparagus as a side. Re the shortcake - I wonder if you could combine a frozen strawberry with a few of those aforementioned "tough as nails" fresh ones at this time to create a chunky strawberrry sauce that would work for the dessert?
But I guess I'm like your man - I love the menu and I'm a chick!
Maureen at 2:12PM on 10/30/08
wow you guys are amazing. so many good ideas and suggestions, i knew the SEers were the right people to ask!
i guess as a bunch of people pointed out i probably do care more about "pulling it together" than he does. the foodie in me is forgetting this is someone that will eat cold leftovers out of the tupperware or have cereal as any meal, any time.
i can't thank you guys enough, i am feeling much better about this whole thing! i will report back (it's in 2 weeks) and let you know how it goes! :)
megannesta at 2:31PM on 10/30/08