Rich Makes:A three course dinner- ie:how not to cook

For Valentines Day my girlfriend and I decided- No more silly little gifts that we'll never use. 

So instead we agreed that alternate years each of us will cook a three course dinner for us both.
This year was my year, and I decided to go with

Starter

Trio of dips with pitta bread
 

Main
Steak with grilled tomato, baby potato and a rocket salad 

Pudding

Chocolate Fondue
 

Pretty fancy, eh?

Doing this I learnt a few things
1)Read the recipe carefully when making hoummus. It asked for 450g of pre-cooked chickpeas, so cooking 500g of dried chickpeas will cause you to have TOO MANY CHICKPEAS

This many chickpeas is never needed. Ever.

2)Don't use your hand as a spatula when cooking a steak, use a spatula as a spatula, this will stop you burning your hand
3)Don't explain to your girlfriend (who is a bit squeamish with  meat) how you can tell how cooked steak is by comparing it to the way your hand feels when you clench different fingers. It will make her feel a bit ill, which is not wanted when you're cooking a big meal

4)You can't handle your wine- This may be due to the fact you've only just discovered a liking for it, but half a bottle currently gets you rather tipsy
5)You are able to have self-control, and not blow out candles, but thats less fun
6)Just because this person classed marshmellows as a fruit, its not technically one of your five a day

7)Go to butchers to get meat instead of a supermarket, they'll tell you how to cook it, will trim off some of the fatty bits, and, if you get chatting to them, may knock the price down for you

8)You're a better cook than you thought you were!

 (Ok, I know I cheated with the other two dips, but I was running out of time!)