HELP!! DH's bday and I need ideas for dinner

**latierra84** · 10-22-2007, 11:18 AM

DH is turning 26 today and I don't have anything prepared

He told me that he didn't want a big to do about it and not to worry but I can't let his birthday go by and not do anything for him. Its just the two of us, so I figured that I'd just make something special for dinner but when I was trying to make my shopping list just now I realized... I have no idea what to make for him!!

I've already got a pretty table cloth on the table. I've got my grams making a batch of rice for us (I'm at work today so this is a big time saver for me). He doesn't really like cake but does love cookies so, I could do that for dessert.

What do you serve for dinner when its a special occasion at your house?

**justpeachy92** · 10-22-2007, 12:02 PM

I always make the birthday persons favorite meal.

**always2busy** · 10-22-2007, 12:11 PM

My husband loves spicy food. For special occasions I make him pepper steak. I've never heare anyone else make it this way.

Round Steak
1 Bell Pepper
1 jalapeno
1 Anahiem pepper
1 yellow chili pepper
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
lots of black pepper

Take the round steak. Trim the fat off and cut it into small bite sized cubes. Sprinkle on pepper. We never measure the black pepper but I'd start with 1 tbsp at least. Then brown the meat in a skillet. You can add water if you like. I usually do. Once the meat is cooking slice the peppers. If your husband doesn't like spicy food leave out the yellow chili pepper. It is the pepper that gives this the most fire. I cut the peppers into pretty big chunks so I can tell them apart. I cut the bell peppers into strips and the others into rings. Once the meat is almost brown throw in the peppers and let it cook for a 3 to 15 minutes until the meat is all the way brown. Then add the cream of soups. YOu can use 1 can cream of mushroom and one can cream of chicken if you'd like. Add a little more water to the pan and stir. Now just wait until the soups have heated up into a nice sauce. You may want to add more black pepper now. The whole process will take about an hour (I think).

We serve this over a bed of white rice and drink a big coke. I hope you enjoy.

My DH can smell this when he walks in the door and yells "thank you Baby!" it is his favorite.

**leezza** · 10-22-2007, 12:12 PM

All I can speak to is my DH he really likes meat.....so if I want to give him a treat I get him a steak, spend the extra money and go to the butcher shop or a grocery with good quality meat.......my DH favorite is Rib eye, or TBone.

Good Luck,
leezza

**staceyy** · 10-22-2007, 12:18 PM

A homemade cake and ice cream.

**SweetPea** · 10-22-2007, 12:24 PM

my husbands favorite meal is pot roast with potatoes and carrots, macaroni salad, homemade rolls and birthday cake.

**starsapphire** · 10-22-2007, 03:20 PM

Shrimp Scampi! Delicious and easy to make.

INGREDIENTS:
• 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp (about 16 to 24)
• 1/3 cup clarified butter
• 4 tablespoons minced garlic
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh if possible
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• salt and pepper, to taste
cooked pasta

PREPARATION:
Rinse shrimp and set aside. Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic 1 or 2 minutes or until softened but not browned. Add shrimp, green onions, wine and lemon juice; cook until shrimp are pink and firm, about 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
Do not overcook. Add chopped parsley and salt and pepper before serving. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley sprigs if desired. Serve over pasta

I don't even bother with the white wine and green onions, I just increase the butter and lemon a bit.

**coltsmama** · 10-22-2007, 03:29 PM

One of dh 's favorite meals is lasagna, so usually that and a cherry chip cake. Which is also his favorite.

**Darlene** · 10-22-2007, 03:30 PM

This is what I make, too late for tonights dinner though.[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66226"]Guest Chef: Darlene~One of our family's favorite meals - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

How about making beef tips on rice?http://www.recipezaar.com/33200

**starsapphire** · 10-22-2007, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by starsapphire

Shrimp Scampi! Delicious and easy to make.

INGREDIENTS:
• 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp (about 16 to 24)
• 1/3 cup clarified butter
• 4 tablespoons minced garlic
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh if possible
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• salt and pepper, to taste
cooked pasta

PREPARATION:
Rinse shrimp and set aside. Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic 1 or 2 minutes or until softened but not browned. Add shrimp, green onions, wine and lemon juice; cook until shrimp are pink and firm, about 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
Do not overcook. Add chopped parsley and salt and pepper before serving. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley sprigs if desired. Serve over pasta

I don't even bother with the white wine and green onions, I just increase the butter and lemon a bit.

Just realized the recipe doesn't say this, I peel the shrimp before cooking.

**always2busy** · 10-23-2007, 04:52 PM

So what did you make???

**Libby** · 10-23-2007, 09:54 PM

Usually make birthday person's pick or fave meal.....or try out a new recipe using ingredients that he likes - this way its not entirely just for him and it something you BOTH and experience together?

Let us know how it went and what you made - we're very curious!

**latierra84** · 10-23-2007, 11:15 PM

thanks for all the responses guys!! - i feel like we always have chicken around here so i mixed it up and tried the spicy beef over rice, except i changed it a little bit and used fried brown rice instead. so thank you always2busy for the recipe!! spicy but he loved it

dh also really likes seafood but ive never been exposed to it i guess and so i dont really know how to cook it or tell when its cook enough, ive never even eaten shrimp! or lobster... dh thinks its strange and has asked me several times to try to make something with shrimp or salmon or some underwater meat. i need to give it a shot sometime.

**always2busy** · 10-24-2007, 12:29 AM

I'm glad that your DH liked the recipe.

I'm throwing in a side note. I love shrimp scampi. It is the only sea food I'll eat. I've tried other things and just didn't care for them. In the frozen food section you can buy shrimp scampi. Just follow the directions on the side. Oh so good. I love that butter, lemon, garlic flavor.

Sometimes I'll also buy frozen cooked shrimp. I think it is about $5 to $7 a pound but it is already cooked. All you have to do is run it under cold water for a few minutes. You can add it to other dishes or serve it alone. Keep it in your freezer and only takeout as much as you need. So easy.

I have a mexican shrimp cocktail recipe I make for DH. Let me know if you want it.

**itsahumanzoo** · 10-24-2007, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by latierra84

thanks for all the responses guys!! - i feel like we always have chicken around here so i mixed it up and tried the spicy beef over rice, except i changed it a little bit and used fried brown rice instead. so thank you always2busy for the recipe!! spicy but he loved it

dh also really likes seafood but ive never been exposed to it i guess and so i dont really know how to cook it or tell when its cook enough, ive never even eaten shrimp! or lobster... dh thinks its strange and has asked me several times to try to make something with shrimp or salmon or some underwater meat. i need to give it a shot sometime.

The great thing about seafood is that you can't really under cook it! For tuna or salmon you just can just pan fry for a couple minutes one each side. If you want it well done, 5-7 minutes per side will do it. Shrimp, you just toss in a pan for 5 minutes and you're done.