Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I know I'm late to contribute, but I wanted to share my story. When my fiance and I first started dating I won him over with leftovers! Our first date actually lasted longer than either of us had planned so I offered to make something when he said he was hungry. He said he was fine with leftovers. They happened to include Blue Cheese Macaroni and Cheese and he was smitten. Both with me and with the recipe.

The first meal he made me a week or so later on another date was amazing. Roasted Cornish Game Hens stuffed with wild rice and portobello mushrooms, mashed potatoes, perfectly sauteed green beans...it was fabulous. And he really won my heart by making an extra serving for my roomate who is a definite foody. He won her heart too and she gave me two thumbs up and told him that he had her approval. Six years later we're still cooking for eachother and together and planning a wedding!

OOPS! Wanted to tell "deeley" that he/she can purchase tomato paste in a tube to avoid the dreaded "partial can waste". Anchovy, onion, garlic, & pesto come packaged this way as well.

Made this this weekend - used a six ounce can of tomato paste (can't stand having to use 2/3 of a can) and used water instead of vegetable stock. Fantastic result - eaten in its entirety by the family. A winner of a recipe.

Try these with a handfull of BBQed pulled pork--- Smoked of course and don't mince the onions, leave em in chunks!! Dave

I've made AB's recipe several times and I can honestly say they are the best baked beans I've ever put in my mouth.

@grillguy: Yes, lid on the entire time.

I usually make my own rum baked beans when smoking ribs. This recipe sounds great and will try it this weekend when firing up the smoker. Any suggestions on how to reduce the cooking time to 4.5 hours?

The first romantical at home dinner I made for my man, sans all other roommates and such, I made prosciutto wrapped cod, a tomato and feta salad, spinach and some grilled bread. He was very impressed and the meal was not that tough to prepare at all. Seafood says you're fancy, salted meats say you aim to please.

Before I decided on that meal I just asked him if there was anything he wouldn't eat and based on that, planned the menu myself. If he's a good man, he'll love whatever it is you decide on and be super impressed at the effort. Apparently despite every gourmet thing I've ever made for my dude his all time fave: baked eggs for dinner. Go figure.

Do NOT neglect the aroma. Beef brisket cooking at a low temp all day in the oven has gotten me at least two proposals. (Decent AND in-decent).

A bottle of whiskey and a can of whipped cream.

Simple is usually best. Hard to beat a steak and baked potato, for example. Of course, that may not fit the budget or show off your culinary skills. Try to avoid casseroles, but hearty food that has interesting touches is going to be welcome. I'm pretty adventurous compared to most guys I know. I'll eat just about anything. I love seafood, but that isn't for everybody. FInd out what the guy loves. Serve meat that has been cooked simply in the kitchen and not on the grill, but with some kind of sauce or gravy prepared from the pan drippings. Do pasta with fresh chopped tomatoes and basil, for example or do pesto instead of the old reliable marinary or alfredo sauces.

Gotcha! Recipe looks great... I wonder if you took the lid off for an hour or so, if the smoke flavor would enhance it.

Ok, maybe I'm missing something here... how can you get them smoked, when you covered with a lid???? :)