No suggestions for dinner,but wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on no smoking.WTG Alexa!!!!!

Shelley

You should make a phone call! To me. I am free around 7. Congrats on your HUGE success! Have lots of melted butter with that lobster.

Jo

Good for you, Alexa! You deserve a special dinner. I would make the beef and prawns tonight with Asian flavors and save the lobster for tomorrow night so you could prolong the celebration. You could make a classic lobster newburg.

I made a good side dish with steak last week - fresh spinach and watercress leaves sauteed together. I added a little bit of soy sauce, hoisin sauce and sesame oil after they were wilted. The peppery cress really added to the flavor of the spinach.

This week I saw champagne mangoes at good prices everywhere in our area. You could make a lime and mango marinade for the shrimps and grill them too.

Wow good for you 5 months without a cig....wish i could say the same...trying to quit but just cant. I love traditional surf & turf with shrimp cocktail as a starter and a real nice salad...Maybe the Iceberg wedge with a rich blue cheese dressing! Have a good time!

First off, congrats! I'm three years ahead of you - to the day - and I can tell you it does get easier with time.

Personally I'd scrap the Asian theme and go with the traditional surf and turf. But that's because I wouldn't be creative enough to make three recipes that complemented each other but didn't taste like each other. I am curious about that marinade though...?

okay - I think Eileen convinced me to shift gears here - that Wedge with Blue Cheese is EXACTLY what I am in the mood for, so back to the Surf & Turf plan. Though I love to cook, I want this to be easy tonight so I can sit and enjoy without running back to the kitchen.

Maybe Wedge/Blue followed by the shrimp in a garlic butter scampi thing with the steak and rice pilaf and a green veg and make the lobster tomorrow...... Like Ruthanna said, that will give me 2 days of celebration!

And thanks for all the kind words and encouragement. I've had my moments over the last few months, but I've stuck with it so far.

Alexa

Good for you, Alexa! A time to celebrate for sure! It's been about 38 years for me....I never thought I could do it. Hang tough!

jude

caliloo, just want to say congrads on the hugh accomplishment you have made by quiting smoking. I am approching the two year mark myself and it has been very, very hard at times but it does get easier. I would like to encourge you to sign up at Quit Keeper. It is free and it tells you how long you have been smoke free, days quit, cigarettes you WOULD have smoked, money you have saved and life saved. It has been a real aid in my quiting. So far I have saved $7,031.89 to date (just under two years). My husband quit about five years ago so we have saved tons of money not to mention the other advantages. Enjoy your dinner, and now you can afford a lot more of the same!

Wow! Being a smoker, I'm so impressed, knowing what it took to do it. You should be extra proud.

It'd do the lobster, shrimp and steak on 3 seperate nights and really spread out the celebration.

Beth

I am 11 and a half years out....and would never EVER even think of a cigarette...they smell vile....and I smoked for 43 years.
I would cook it all....will it be just you two or will you have to share with the philistines....er ..I mean your sons!? LOL!
Shrimp cocktail, grilled steaks with a side of broiled lobster tail.
And I hope you bought some Grey Goose and maybe even a bottle of Moet et Chandon!
Linda C

Congrats Alex!!!!!!!

Now I know who to call, I'm going to need a coach!

Nancy

Congrats Alexa!!!! What a great accomplishment. I'm smoke free 10 years last month. Like FOAS says it gets easier especially once you start hating the smell of smokers !

I posted a very easy "Greek" Scampi recipe on the New recipes thread. I think it would make a great starter. Ina's Scampi is delish too.

For the entree I would go traditional surf and turf . The Iceberg wedge with Blue Cheese is so retro, fits perfectly with Surf and Turf.

If you want beyond decadent I had lobster mashed potatoes at a sea food restaurant that was to die for!

Very smooth, creamy mashed potatoes with lots of fresh ground pepper, chive snips and chunks (no shreds , chunks) of lobster.

Now you have me jonesing for lobster!

Broiled Greek Scampi

1/2 stick butter
1 TBSP fresh lemon juice
1 TBSP minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried dill ( I omitted)
salt and pepper to taste
2TBSP fresh bread crumbs
1 TBSP grated Parmesan
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp paprika
10-12 extra large shrimp, deveined, peeled, tail on ( butterflied)

Preheat broiler with rack placed 6-8 inches from broilers

Melt butter in large sauce pan. Stir in lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt and pepper. Let stand off heat to steep.

Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan, oregano, and paprika. Set aside.

Coat 2 6 oz casserole dishes with non stick spray and place on baking sheet. Arrange shrimp evenly on each dish. Divided butter mixture evenly between dishes. Top with bread crumb mixture.

Broil until shrimp are cooked and topping is golden brown ( about 5 minutes) Let cool one minute before handling

Baked Shrimp Scampi
2008, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, All Rights Reserved
Serves:
6 servings
Ingredients
2 pounds (12 to 15 per pound) shrimp in the shell
 3 tablespoons good olive oil
 2 tablespoons dry white wine
 Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
 1/4 cup minced shallots
 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
 1 extra-large egg yolk
 2/3 cup panko (Japanese dried bread flakes)
 Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Peel, devein, and butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tails on. Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl and toss gently with the olive oil, wine, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Allow to sit at room temperature while you make the butter and garlic mixture.
In a small bowl, mash the softened butter with the garlic, shallots, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolk, panko, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until combined.
Starting from the outer edge of a 14-inch oval gratin dish, arrange the shrimp in a single layer cut side down with the tails curling up and towards the center of the dish. Pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the shrimp. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until hot and bubbly. If you like the top browned, place under a broiler for 1 minute

Thanks everyone!

Linda - you know me too well! They Zyr is in the freezer and the Moet is chilling in the bev fridge. And Sharon, I think you hit the nail on the head. I love Ina's Baked Scampi, I made it for Valentines and it was a hit. Yes, the Phillistines will be dining with us (late dinner for all after 2 rounds of swim practice) but they will both be happy with steak and salad even if they dont have the shrimp too.

Nancy - call any time you want. I'm not saying I have a magic wand, but I have gotten a lot of great advice from friends and I am here for you in any way I can be. I think the biggest thing for me was approaching it by telling myself "I can get through TODAY without smoking. And we'll see how it goes tomorrow" The other thing was I promised myself I could go back to smoking for my 80th Birthday LOLOLOL! So I'm not saying those ideas will work for anyone else, but they are keeping me going this far.

Oh yea - here's my Baked Scampi from Valentines Day

I couldn't resist clicking on this thread. Good work kicking the cigarette habit. I smoked for 20 and am free now for some years.

: )
lyra

Hooray for you, Alexa. I've never smoked, thankfully. I like my bad habits and am always loathe to give them up, LOL.

Your lungs are thanking you, I'm sure, and so are your boys.

I also would go with the traditional surf and turf, I hate to turn good steaks into anything else except good steak.

Annie

My dad just quit smoking after 59 years of smoking! Yes....he started at 13! He is taking an anti-smoking pill which makes cigarettes taste like crap (his words!). Unfortunately, coffee too....according to him. He's switched to tea.

Anyway, congrats....that dinner sounds awesome. I don't know....part of me says divide it up and prolong the celebration and part says cook it all and enjoy everything! Either way I just wanted to commend you on kicking the habit. The money you will save alone will buy many more surf and turf dinners down the road.

Duane

Alexa...I never did "quit"...I just stopped smoking....for today.
When you "quit" it creates a panic that you can never again have a cigarrette...which makes you so nervous you need one immediately!!!
I carried a pack in my purse for months and still have a pack in my bedroom.....just in case! About 5 years after, I found a carton I had stashed just "in case"...I put it on the curb at clean up day and it was gone in a flash! LOL!
Yeah....smokers are sickos...it's a horrible addiction. I am so glad to be over it I can't imagine ever going back.

Great news, good for you! While I have never smoked, my mother did and it was awful for her to quit.

I think DH would tell you to celebrate with a rich mac&cheese with lobster chunks. He loved it in a restaurant (Cafe Purple) in Seattle and about licked the bowl it was soo good!
"Talk about indulgent: This downtown cafe's savory, garlicky version comes chock-full of toothsome chunks of lobster."

Congrats on quitting smoking. I started smoking when I was a teenager and never really thought I could quit. DH smokes and everytime I tried to quit I failed.
When my first grandson was born 5 1/2 yrs. ago I would go outside to smoke when he was here and then 2 1/2 yrs. later my next grandson was born and I just started smoking less and less because I had one or both of them quite alot. In the past two years I have probably not averaged 2 or 3 cigarettes a month. I don't want to smoke and if I do I bum one off of DH, even his smoking doesn't make me want to smoke. It actually makes me glad I don't.

Your celebration dinner sounds great, steak, shrimp and lobster are three of my favorites. I just looked at the WFD thread and your meal is wonderful, it looks every bit a celebration. Would you mind sharing the asian steak recipe?

Well - truth is, the lobster tails were frozen, so I just defrosted them for tonight. We just finished putting in the new bathroom floor and DH is tightening the screws on the new toilet. I am just bringing the water to a boil for Lobster in Garlic Butter.

Here is the Asian Steak recipe:

Hot Spiced Asian BBQ Beef
1 lb sirloin steak
4 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp honey
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp crushed red pepper
3 scallions
1 clove garlic
2 tbsp peanut oil

1. Cut steak into 1" cubes
2. In a med bowl, mix the soy, honey, salt, ginger, red pepper.
3. Put the meat in the sauce. Mix well and let sit for at least 15 minutes (up to 1 hour). Take the meat cubes out of the sauce and put them on a broiling rack or skewer them with enough space between each piece so they are not touching. Reserve the sauce.
4. Cut the scallions into ¼ inch pieces.
5. Crush the garlic and chop very fine.
6. In a small frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
7. Add the garlic, stir fry for 1 minute
8. Add the scallions, stir fry 1 minute
9. Add the reserved sauce and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat but keep the sauce in the pan.
10. Broil (or grill) the steak until it is cooked to your liking about 2 4 minutes per side.
11. Arrange the meat on a plate and pour the sauce over the meat. Serve.