Tuesday, September 1, 2009

For No {Special} Reason

We made a few special treats for dinner last night. I suppose you could say it's because we made it through Monday, which is usually a struggle, afterall. Actually, I had a great piece of ahi tuna {THANK YOU MOM & DAD, you were right, it was awesome} that needed to be eaten & a recipe for said piece of tuna.

SO, just for fun we had some fancy pants food & wine, & watched the college football preview on ESPN-U. I think it's important to have a little special time w. the one or ones you love. Con & I both love to cook & try new things, so this made for a perfect evening.

Here's what we created: Ahi tuna tartare {adapted from Ina Garten's recipe} & broiled escargot. Both were SO easy & quite quick.

The tuna took all off 10 minutes to pulse through the food processor & mix w. the other ingredients. Ina's recipe is for like, 800 people, so adjust accordingly.

Moo Cow looking over his handiwork, aka CHEESE.
This is the best way to eat escargot: 1. Spread out your little snails {I used canned. I'm serious.} in a baking dish, 2. Put a few tablespoons of butter in around them, 3. mince some garlic in there, 4. spread shredded havarti over it all {6 ounces or so}, 5. sprinkle chopped scallions on top, 6. broil for about 8-10 minutes.
EAT IT. With a baguette. Mm, snailies.

Voila! Two quite complementary dishes, I must say.
Go "cook" them now. It's not hard. One is broiled & the other is raw.
You have no excuse not to be "fancy."

We're so fancy we eat off our coffee table w. candles in jars.
Now go on, treat yourself!

29 comments:

Shaina said...

Um, okay, wow. I just started salivating. Ahi has got to be one of my absolute favorite things to eat...in the world. :)

Southern Champagne Wishes said...

Very pretty! I love the coffee table presentation.

And, I don't even like escargot, but that dish looks delish!

Love the candles, too!

Erica said...

I like your thinking! Pretty, relaxing, all just for the two of you and some ESPN...

Anonymous said...

That looks DELISH! I'm soooooo trying both of these out this week.

Anonymous said...

That looks DELISH! I'm soooooo trying both of these out this week.

PinkSass said...

Even though I wouldn't eat either of those dishes I can constantly impressed by your cooking. Know any good vegetarian dishes?

Lindsay said...

looks amazing! love the dishes you have them in too!

Ashley Turner said...

Wish I had fancy tastes, but I'm such a picky eater and it's such a curse! But congrats on becoming the next Julia Child! Rockin Monday night effort! You deserve a gold star - I just collapsed and made plain ole chicken! hahaha

One Bite At A Time said...

Thanks for sharing- looks wonderful!

l.v.b. said...

Awesome P! Some 30 blocks away A and I were prepping white chicken chili w homemade tortillas & green onion slaw. Tonight I'll try your snails and a nice mourvedre..

Muffy said...

What pretty presentation! I love it all!

Lindsay said...

Candles in jars what a good idea, and it looks so cute :)

One Bite At A Time said...

Here is the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/rainbows-and-butterflies-pasta-salad-recipe/index.html

Lacey said...

Ahi tuna is one of my favorite things ever. Yum! I've never tried escargot despite my French heritage. I just don't know if I can go there. But covered in cheese I could probably could!

The Pink Chick said...

This sounds and looks absolutely delicious!

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

You inspire me!!!

It all looks so wonderful and enchanting!

Princess Freckles said...

Looks delicious! What a fun Monday night!

Anonymous said...

Look at your adorable table! Everything looks delicious....even the snails (eww).

Amanda K said...

Yum that looks so good!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Can't think of a better reason to celebrate. : )

Rosemary Brennan said...

Fancy pants, indeed! Everything looks wonderful! :)

Anonymous said...

he he, the huz and I do the same thing---make super fancy food and then eat it in front of the TV! there's no better way to dine :)

Amy said...

I don't even like seafood (except canned tuna, go figure) but your spread looks amazing!

Love the dishes... where are those scalloped-edged-looking ones from?

Valerie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
AJLinBoston said...

Looks great and the presentation is so chic!
There was an article in my local paper this morning about breakfast and I thought of your post from last week. This likes like a good recipe for breakfast bars, knowing you love to cook, maybe it would be something to try:
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/family/articles/2009/09/02/recipe_for_breakfast_bars/

Aartee said...

Yay for a fun dinner treat with the boy!

Gabby said...

Can I just say that I LOVE that you and your man do nights like this 'just because'? I do. I love it.

{I have never had escargot. hmm.}

~M~ said...

I want to have dinner at your house! ha ha :)

Unknown said...

I'm sitting here anxiously waiting for my quiche to settle so I can eat it and you're talking about food?!?!

Yum.