Cooking for Prom

Harbormaster · Apr 7, 2015

Some of y'all may remember my son asked me to cook for his first date a couple of years ago (Homecoming, detailed in this thread: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172503).

He has a date for Prom this weekend and told the girl who asked him that he would rather not go out to dinner if I didn't cook for them. :shocked: The young lady (not a steady girlfriend or anything, just a friend) thought about it and decided she liked the idea. Joe asked a buddy of his if he wanted to bring his date for dinner too. So, I'll be cooking for four high school juniors Saturday night. (Yeah, we've kinda started a trend and some of the kids really like doing this. I'm sure the fact that it doesn't cost anyone anything helps, but the SoDT and I really enjoy doing it. It's pretty cool.)

I walked around the grocery store at lunch to get an idea of what to make, and I came up with the following. Let me know your thoughts.

First Course:
Romaine Lettuce Salad with egg, croutons, tomato, and red onion tossed with a creamy Caesar dressing.

Second Course:
Cream of Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower soup.

Main Course:
Choice of Grilled Sesame Ginger Marinated Chicken Breast or Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon. Baked Potato with Toppings and Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Spears.

[FONT=&quot]Desert:
Fresh Berry Compote over Pound Cake topped with Whipped Cream.[/FONT]

pmad · Apr 7, 2015

Way to go.
I'd replace the soup with a pasta.
Remember, they are going to be dressed formally.
Soup and that dessert may be messy.

Fat Cap · Apr 7, 2015

Mind if me and my Prom date/wife crash the party? Sounds awesome!

EricD · Apr 7, 2015

Sounds pretty good! I'd go with the bacon wrapped filet, if I had my choice.
I also second the 'messy' factor when dressed up.

aawa · Apr 7, 2015

First thought. If they choose bacon wrapped filet, do you think the bacon wrapped asparagus would be doubling up on the flavor, so it would make everything taste like bacon?

I would do maybe a ginger, garlic soy sauteed asparagus (or green beans/snow peas, etc) Just mince some ginger and garlic. Sweat them down and add the veggies, then add some soy sauce and allow to sautee till veggies are tender. This would go really well with the sesame ginger marinaded chicken really well and compliment the steak.

Then with 4 courses. Salad, Soup, Entree do you think that the dessert might be too heavy with the pound cake? They are going to be going to dance the night away, so keep it light to help them not get fat man syndrome (aka the itis, aka sleepy) after dinner.

Maybe just a simple homemade whipped or clotted cream with mixed berries masarated in lemon juice and sugar. This nice light dessert will keep them feeling fresh vs heavy and bogged down.

smokeacholic · Apr 7, 2015

That all sounds fantastic to me. Also a memory will be made.

Harbormaster · Apr 7, 2015

aawa said:
First thought. If they choose bacon wrapped filet, do you think the bacon wrapped asparagus would be doubling up on the flavor, so it would make everything taste like bacon?

The bacon on the filet may come off. My son raved about the grilled bacon wrapped asparagus.

I would do maybe a ginger, garlic soy sauteed asparagus (or green beans/snow peas, etc) Just mince some ginger and garlic. Sweat them down and add the veggies, then add some soy sauce and allow to sautee till veggies are tender. This would go really well with the sesame ginger marinaded chicken really well and compliment the steak.

That's an option.

do you think that the dessert might be too heavy with the pound cake?

I'll keep the portions relatively small. Maybe compote was a bad word to use. I was thinking fresh berries macerated in sugar and lemon juice.

As far as the soup being messy, I did a cream of smoked butternut squash soup for the kids a couple of years ago and it wasn't an issue.

Big George's BBQ · Apr 7, 2015

I remember when you did it before and it went really well. This is really nice of you and the meal that they are getting will be better than going out I will be happy to help with any left overs

Harbormaster · Apr 8, 2015

Thanks George.
I found out last night most of the other couples are going to Olive Garden.
Seriously?
I know some of these kids may think it's weird to bring your prom date to mom and dad's for dinner, but if the other choice is Olive Garden, it's a no-brainer.

aawa · Apr 8, 2015

Dinner at the OG vs Wyocena Yacht Club. I'll bring my date to the WYC!

zane2015 · Apr 9, 2015

Sounds fantastic, and you're a hands on great parent for making prom special for them. The only thing I will emphasize is not doubling up on the bacon wraps. If he's fond of the wrapped veg, do that. Fillet can stand on its own, with perhaps my favorite, a bearnaise sauce. If there was a fish fan, I might do a cracked peppercorn seared tuna. Either way, its a win win for all of you. Those are permanent memories!! Photo the cook this time.

Wampus · Apr 9, 2015

aawa said:
First thought. If they choose bacon wrapped filet, do you think the bacon wrapped asparagus would be doubling up on the flavor, so it would make everything taste like bacon?

I would do maybe a ginger, garlic soy sauteed asparagus (or green beans/snow peas, etc) Just mince some ginger and garlic. Sweat them down and add the veggies, then add some soy sauce and allow to sautee till veggies are tender. This would go really well with the sesame ginger marinaded chicken really well and compliment the steak.

Clark, I've done Steve Raichlen's Sesame Grilled Asparagus before and it's pretty stinkin good. If you're thinking of going with the soy/sesame asparagus, you may try that.

Overall, it sounds like a delicious dinner and a VERY cool thing to do. I'm sure it'll be as good or better than any meal that they'd otherwise pay a lot of money for. Well played sir!

nmeyer414 · Apr 9, 2015

sounds like a great kid you have there. if he is really wanting to impress his date, why not have him being the one doing the cooking and get him started off early with the knowledge?

snapper-G · Apr 9, 2015

There is no comparison of what you're describing and Olive Garden. If Wisconsin wasn't so far away I'd pop in with my date!

Big George's BBQ · Apr 9, 2015

His date will be very impressed with what she gets Great way for your boy to start off the evening

Happy Hapgood · Apr 9, 2015

Great idea and it looks like you have most restaurants beat with that menu.

Blythewood BBQ'er · Apr 9, 2015

Man that's awesome ! I never had a meal that good before any of my proms!

Harbormaster · Apr 10, 2015

It turns out I'll be cooking for 6, 2 chicken and 4 beef.
I opted to go with plain tenderloin steaks, about 5 oz each. Did all the rest of the shopping too and have everything set.
While at the store I decided to pass on the pound cake and instead went with some puff pastry bowls. I think it will be lighter but still go well with the berries.
I'm also thinking of hitting the asparagus with just a touch of the sesame ginger marinade and sprinkle some sesame seeds on it to tie everything together.
I always wonder if I enjoy this more than the kids do! Really looking forward to it, and I'll get the SoDT to take pics.

aawa · Apr 10, 2015

That is awesome you are cooking for 6 people. The menu looks great and I'll bet they will appreciate it more than a Olive Garden dinner!

I am diggin the changes you made to the menu also. Can you make it dinner for 8? I'll take the chicken since my gf loves filet!

93vpmod · Apr 10, 2015

I think that in a few years the stories will go something like this, "Remember when your dad cooked that awesome dinner for prom?"

Major thumbs up!!!

Cooking for Prom

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