Nice dinner for two for a fairly new cook?

[Anonymous]

I have gotten really good at "easy" 20 minute meal type things and crock pot dishes, which is great as a working mom trying to get a healthy homecooked meal on the table every night.

But, sometimes when I have more time, like on certain weekends, it may be nice to do something not necessarily "easy" but not super complex or requiring all day in the kitchen, since I'm still learning and my confidence is not super high yet, and I do have two young kids underfoot.

Suggestions? Can be vegetarian or have meat, doesn't have to be kid friendly since it would be for DH and me. Can also be a series of fun appetizers or something too. TIA!

[Anonymous]

Risotto, spring rolls, roasted veg pasta salad, Spanikopita, samosas, fish en papillote

[Anonymous]

My DH loves this, and I made it for my dad and he said it was the best salmon he ever had.

2 salmon filets
1 onion thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
2 teaspoons olive oil + extra
¼ cup balsamic vinegar (high quality)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
salt and freshly grounded black peeper

1. Heat the 2 teaspoons olive oil in a heavy based pan and sauté the onions for 10-15 minutes on medium heat until have softened (stirring often). Stir in the sugar and let it caramelize for a few minutes, pour in the balsamic vinegar, add the peppers and simmer for 5-10 minutes for the liquid to be reduced by half. (At this stage you can let the onions/peppers cool and then put it in the fridge for later.)

2. Heat the oven to 400°F, and line a glass baking dish with foil (for easy cleaning). Place filets in the baking dish skin side down, sprinkle with salt and pepper, brush with olive oil, and then cover them with the pepper-onion mixture and bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

[Anonymous]

This isn't a meal idea, but it will jazz up whatever you choose to make. It is garlic infused olive oil and holy jeebus is it divine. I skipped the balsamic, cheese, and whatever that business about a sterilized bottle was.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/garlic-infused-oil-and-dipping-sauce-recipe/index.html

[Anonymous]

Try this out - super delish but really easy. We omit the scallions and often use dried instead of fresh thyme (depends on what we have on hand). Serve with a side of rice or pasta. Adjust the amount of red pepper depending on how spicy you'd like the dish.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/roasted-shrimp-peppers-lemon-00000000008880/index.html

[Anonymous]

Roast a chicken.

(Slather a chicken with herbs, butter, s&p, lemon juice...lay it in a big cast iron skillet over onion pieces, whole garlic cloves, and thinly sliced potatoes and/or chopped carrots if you want...tent some foil over it and put it in a 400 degree oven for about 90 minutes, taking the foil off the last 30. You seriously don't need twine/fancy pans.)

Make a simple green salad w/vinaigrette.

When the chicken is finishing, throw some olives (green black, whatever) in a shallow baking dish tossed in olive oil, hot pepper flakes, lemon zest, and rosemary). Let them sit in the oven until they're warm. Serve those with hummus and good bread or lavash or pita.

[Anonymous]

Lamb Chops:
http://www.pbs.org/everydayfood/recipes/Lamb_Chops_with_Yogurt_Sauce.html

Whip up some cous cous--very quick to make.