thelovebite.com

 the shopping list:

1 rotisserie chicken (let me recommend Costco)

mashed potatoes (try the deli counter)

pre-grated parmesan cheese

1 packet potato chips (plain salted ones, not thick cut)

1 bag snap peas (the kind that you snip the corner on and toss the bag in the microwave)

1 bag spinach leaves

salad dressing

baguette

olive oil

sparkling / mineral water

a couple of lemons (for the water)

2 (maybe three bottles of champagne)

angostura bitters, sugar cubes and a little brandy (if you want to make champagne cocktails)

a delicious cake, fresh berries and great vanilla ice cream.

optional: sour cream or creme fraiche, horseradish and fresh chives.

• pre-heat your oven to 350.
• put the chicken into the oven (dispose of incriminating packaging)
• divide the mashed potatoes into balls somewhere between golf ball and base ball size.
• crush the potato chips (not too much) and roll the mashed potato balls in them.
• place the potato balls into a dish and pop in the oven
• throw the snap peas into the microwave and cook them for 2 minutes. When they are done, rinse them in cold water and dry them off. Mix them with a few handfuls of spinach. Salad done!
• if you want extra points, mix some horseradish with some sour cream (start with 1 teaspoon horseradish to 2 tablespoons of sour cream, then sprinkle in a little chopped chives)
• arrange the salad, chicken and potato balls on a platter. Drizzle some salad dressing on the greens, slice the baguette, pour some wine and water.
• Sit back and gloat at how you pulled it all off. Unless you choose to confess, your date will walk into your house smelling roast chicken. They'll see your potatoes come out of the oven looking like fancy French pommes noisettes and they won't blink an eye when you pull out the tub of ice cream. If they do then you didn't serve enough champagne!