If you’re trying to impress someone, food can be a great way to do so. Yet for many people, cooking delicious meals can seem like an unreachable goal. Aren’t you better off going out to a restaurant?
However, there are many different fancy at home dinner ideas you can try.
Keep reading for a list of 15 fancy dinner ideas that are simple and quick to make.
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1. Scallops With Lemon Caper Sauce
There’s a misconception going around that seafood is hard to cook. Depending on the dish, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Scallops are easy to make at home. Try cooking them with a sauce made up of white wine, chicken broth, garlic, capers, and lemon. You’ll end up with a caramelized crust and flavor that’s to die for.
2. Caprese Chicken
If you’re a fan of simple yet tasty dishes, look no further than Caprese chicken, which you can make in 30 minutes.
Sear chicken breasts on the stove, and once they look golden and ready, add some mozzarella and tomatoes on top. Then, stick them in the oven to crisp up. Finish it off by drizzling a balsamic glaze on top.
3. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Noodles and pasta are some of the simplest dishes you can make. This recipe takes it to the next level.
Cook your pasta and drain it. Once you’ve finished, mix ranch dressing, bacon, and cheese into a pot. Pour it over the pasta, top it with more cheese and bacon, and you’re ready to dig in!
4. Apple Harvest Salad
For the perfect summer dish, consider making an exciting salad. Ditch the boring caesar salads and try this!
At the grocery store, pick the ripest and most eye-catching apples you can find. This salad should look pretty. Pick your favorite vegetables and mix them with the apples, as well as pecans and dried cranberries. You can also add some extra sources of protein, such as quinoa.
5. Toasted Italian Sandwich
Who says sandwiches are just for lunch? You can enjoy this gourmet sandwich at any time during the day.
Pick up some fresh ciabatta rolls, as well as any kinds of salami and pepperoni. For the freshest meat, make sure you shop at a deli. Toast the bread, then spread sun-dried tomatoes on one half and pesto on the other. Then add the meats, and you’re done!
6. A Cheese Board
Sometimes the best dinner involves snacking as opposed to sitting down for a large meal. If you’re down to eat appetizers for dinner, consider making this cheese board.
Aside from having 3-5 different types of cheeses, you’ll also want to have food that pairs with it. Consider adding olives, jams, or different kinds of nuts. Make sure the presentation looks great, as well.
7. Chicken Fajitas
If you’re a fan of Mexican food and are looking for another dish that you can present beautifully, consider chicken fajitas.
Aside from cooking chicken breasts, remember that the most important part of fajitas is the other ingredients. Avocados, papers, cilantro, and lime on the side will impress your guests and satisfy their stomachs.
8. Gourmet Pizza
Pizza gives you the flexibility to make a huge variety of different dishes. Consider making a few gourmet pizzas for the evening. One can be vegetarian and the other meat.
Buy fresh ingredients at the store; anything that you and your guests will enjoy. Pizza toppings can range from chicken and tomatoes to pineapple and durian! Don’t be afraid to get creative.
9. Gourmet Burger
A burger is one of those dishes where even in the worst of times, it still tastes alright. How delicious would a gourmet burger taste?
Choose some fresh burgers from the deli. If you’re not a fan of red meat, you can substitute them with turkey burgers. Then pick up some avocados, blue cheese, bacon, and caramelized onion. Things are about to get messy!
10. Prawn Pasta
While a pot of noodles are boiling, add prawns to a buttered pan and let them sizzle. Then add garlic, a splash of wine, lemon juice, and parsley.
Once everything has finished, mixed the prawns with the pasta and serve. Perhaps it’s the simplicity which makes this dish so delicious!
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11. Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a popular Creole dish, enjoyed by people of African, French, and Spanish descent.
After cooking the various pieces, you’re going to combine chorizo, chicken, and seafood into a rice-based dish. It’ll have plenty of flavor and spices, including oregano, paprika, and cayenne.
12. Steak and Potatoes
Steak is a meal that feels fancy no matter where you eat it. Treat someone to a fancy dinner for two featuring steak and potatoes.
Boil the potatoes in a pot. Once they’re finished, crisp them up in a pan with oil until they’re golden. Then cook the steaks how you like them. Generally, the rule is 2 1/2 minutes per side for medium-rare, and 4 1/2 minutes for more well-done pieces.
13. Fried Coconut Bananas
Ready for a delicious, sweet, Thai-inspired dessert? Heat sugar in a frying pan, then add bananas and let them carmelize for around 4 minutes.
After they’ve finished, put them on top of coconut milk, sugar, and salt. Then top it with a scoop of ice-cream!
14. Chocolate Hazlenut Ice-Cream Cheesecake
All you need for this delicious treat are four ingredients: cream cheese, hazelnuts, hazelnut spread, and honey nut cornflakes.
Beat the cornflakes and hazelnut spread together in a bowl, then add it to the base of a pan. Next, beat the cream cheese until it’s smooth, and pour it on top of the base with the rest of the hazelnut spread. Freeze it and serve the next day!
15. Lime Possets With Raspberries
This delicious summer dessert will take you less than 15 minutes to make. Boil cream and sugar in a saucepan, then stir in some lime juice. Divide it between two glasses, then let it chill.
Garnish it with raspberries, and you’re all set!
Want to Impress Someone? Try These Fancy Dinner Ideas
Although the quickest way to someone’s heart is through food, many people believe that cooking exquisite looking meals is reserved for 5-star chefs. Yet by following this guide and trying out some of these fancy dinner ideas, you’ll be able to impress anyone who tries your cooking.
Do you have any other fancy homemade dinner ideas? Let us know in a comment below!
For more guides and tips, don’t forget to check out some of our other articles.
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