When you want to impress, this menu will do the trick. It is rich and decadent but easy to pull off if you do some things before your special guest arrives at the table. Make your Creme Brulee the night before so all you have to do after dinner is torch the sugar. Have your potato souffles ready for the oven before your guest even arrives. You can make your sauce a couple of hours before dinner and just reheat when dinner is ready to serve. Pulling together a bread basket is easy and a nice addition to the table. Just fill a basket with some fresh rolls and breadsticks from your local bakery. Set a beautiful table (flowers a must) and bring out the “good china” for this one! A bottle of red wine and/or sparkling water will round out your dinner. Guests will not be disappointed whether it is for your first date, a new love or your husband of 30 years. Bon Appetit!
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Hi! I’m Diane. I started this site as a passion project. I love to cook, entertain, travel and laugh. (Who doesn’t love a good laugh?) Of course, being from New York, sarcasm rules!
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Welcome to The Balanced Plate
Smart & Satisfying Recipes for a Healthier 2025!
I’m Diane, and my journey with food has been as diverse as the boroughs of New York City, where
I grew up. From working at Burger King in high school, to high- end restaurants in Manhattan and
the Hamptons, to savoring street cart pretzels in Manhattan to exploring farmers’ markets on
Long Island, food has always been my greatest adventure.
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