As the weather warms up, it’s hard to plan the perfect date night menu. To replace the hearty, stick-to-your-ribs fare of winter, start in the grocery store and shop the perimeter or the outside edge of your market — especially for fresh produce and fresh seafood, like grouper.
This is where you will find the freshest, healthiest and sometimes, even the least expensive food items. As you’re preparing your menu, whether it’s several courses or a more casual affair, keep some important tips in mind.
Use fresh herbs and spices
When cooking with herbs and spices, fresh are always best. If you’re using dried seasonings, make sure they are the freshest possible. The only dried seasoning I use is freshly ground pepper.
Use the freshest ingredients possible
Try to plan a menu based on ingredients that are available seasonally. Avoid canned, processed or preserved ingredients.
Don’t add fat to your menu
No one wants to feel weighed down on a special night. Grill, steam, braise, stir-fry or roast foods instead of frying. To add bulk to your meal without calories, add more vegetables and legumes (peas, beans and lentils) to your menu.
Skip the sodium
To avoid post-dinner bloating, use reduced-sodium soy sauce and tomatoes. When you’re finished cooking, don’t automatically salt your food. Taste it first to see if it needs seasoning.
Slim down your recipes
When a recipe calls for cream, substitute with Greek yogurt, low-fat yogurt, skim milk or soy milk. Select lean cuts of beef and pork. If preparing chicken, select skinless.
Use nonstick spray or olive or canola oil instead of butter or margarine. If you’re serving cheese as an appetizer or in recipes, select lower-fat options. If you’re serving warmed bread, choose whole grain.
Make the meal a special occasion
Set the table and create a relaxing ambiance to enjoy your food. This will give you the opportunity to eat slowly and savor every bite. Of course, don’t forget why you’re there. Laugh, talk and have fun. The more you talk, the slower you will eat and enjoy the meal.
Date Night Dinner Menu for Two:
Grouper with Mint-Red Pepper Relish (recipe below)
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Watermelon, Feta and Basil Salad
- Grouper with Mint-Red Pepper Relish
- Serves 2
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 12 minutes
- What You Need
- ¼ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint, divided
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 (6-ounce) grouper or cod fillets
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- Stir together bell pepper, onion, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, Dijon and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Season both sides of fish with remaining chopped fresh mint, salt and pepper. Drizzle with remaining lemon juice.
- Heat remaining olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-heat. Cook 4 to 6 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Serve with Mint-Red Pepper Relish.
33 Comments
Jeanette
August 17, 2011 at 7:50 pmWhat great tips – I love Alison’s blog, always full of terrific recipes and nutrition information. Love the light recipe she came up with for date night!
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen
August 14, 2011 at 11:16 amWhat a wonderful guest post…this grouper looks super delicious! I love the relish on top! 🙂
lisa {smart food and fit}
August 13, 2011 at 11:42 amI have never tried grouper, look like a perfect dish to make for my family and keeping up with the clean eating lifestyle. Very pretty photo’s
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
August 12, 2011 at 10:48 amThank you Maris and Alison for the guest post! Great tips and it looks delicious!
Kitchen Belleicious
August 12, 2011 at 9:34 amLove cooking with grouper but always get bored with it sometimes as far as flavors and side dishes to go along with it. This looks like the perfect rescue dish to my dull fish dishes:) Love the relish! Could eat it all by itself
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
August 12, 2011 at 8:46 amMmm fish! I love a good fish recipe. I like the use of mint, too!
Alexandra (Veggin' Out in the Kitchen)
August 12, 2011 at 8:27 amWhat great tips!! I especially love the “make it a special occasion” tip. All meals are special and should be fun 🙂
And that recipe?? Major yum!
<3
Liz
August 12, 2011 at 8:27 amExcellent tips!!! I’d love this dinner…so beautiful and tasty! Love this guest post, Maris! Thanks, Alison!
Melissa@IWasBornToCook
August 12, 2011 at 7:03 amGreat post. Love the simplicity of this dish. Looks delicious!
Joanne
August 12, 2011 at 6:55 amWhat a great way to show that you don’t have to add oil or tons of cheese to a recipe to make it decadent or fancy (no matter what restaurants would like you to think). Great tips!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
August 12, 2011 at 5:01 amWhat a great, inspiring guest post! 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook
August 11, 2011 at 11:21 pmIt’s always nice to have a reminder that we have to eat healthy. Very inspiring salad and I must follow the tips…maybe start from once in a while. 🙂 Great guest post Maris, thank you!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
August 11, 2011 at 10:28 pmI especially love the idea to dress up the table. Dinner can be an event no matter what you’re eating.
rebecca
August 11, 2011 at 9:56 pmlovely recipe and great tips, Maris your are rocking the guest posts
peachkins
August 11, 2011 at 9:22 pmWill be bookmarking this recipe for “date night” with hubby!
Anne@frommysweetheart
August 11, 2011 at 7:55 pmWonderful recipe for one of my favorite types of fish! I love grouper! Awesome tips as well. Now I just need a date for my date night! Great post ladies… : )
Reeni
August 11, 2011 at 7:50 pmThe grouper looks so utterly delicious with the fresh relish over top! Thanks for the great tips!
Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
August 11, 2011 at 6:21 pmlove the theme of summer date night menu 🙂 heehee. red pepper relish sounds so innovative. i’m sure it tastes awesome!
Erica
August 11, 2011 at 6:19 pmFabulous tips! Amen to skip the sodium…we all know how that makes us feel at the end of the night!
Lisa from Lisas Yarns
August 11, 2011 at 6:19 pmOh yum. Looks like a delicious meal – and a nice light meal! Perfect for summer!
Three-Cookies
August 11, 2011 at 4:57 pmI would be happy if I was served this on a date:)
Liz - Meal Makeover Mom
August 11, 2011 at 4:20 pmAnything with mint this time of year makes me happy. Excellent tips from a “seasoned” recipe developer!
Daryl
August 11, 2011 at 3:45 pmThis is a wonderful guest post with great tips for everyone!
amy @ fearless homemaker
August 11, 2011 at 3:24 pmalison is wonderful! glad to see her great guest post on here. what a wonderful menu! so light, summery, + healthy!
Caroline
August 11, 2011 at 2:47 pmGreat guest post! All of the food looks fresh and delicious–perfect summer meals.
yummychunklet
August 11, 2011 at 2:34 pmGreat and fresh looking food!
Kay
August 11, 2011 at 2:03 pmGreat tips! And I love that there’s so much color in both dishes.
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
August 11, 2011 at 1:21 pmPerfect salad for summers- I love the colorful look of it. Thanks for the lovely guest post by Alison!
A Plum By Any Other Name
August 11, 2011 at 1:12 pmWatermelon is just coming into season here in Boston. Can’t wait to pair it with some summer tomatoes! Sounds fantastic!
natalie (the sweets life)
August 11, 2011 at 1:02 pmbeautiful pictures and a delicious sounding meal!
Nelly Rodriguez
August 11, 2011 at 12:37 pmGreat guest post! Love these tips!
Greg
August 11, 2011 at 12:24 pmThese are great tips for any night. Plus fresh herbs and low sodium options bring out the taste of the food. Nice guest post. Love the recipe too.
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
August 11, 2011 at 12:13 pmThanks so much for sharing and letting me be a guest post for your fabulous site!