So my SO has been gone on business for all month and I wanted to surprise her by making dinner, but she has asked me to pick her up from the airport, which is about 90 minutes round-trip (depends on traffic, but it will be no less than an hour and could take two). We have an electric oven. I was planning on either lying to her and making her take a cab home and then she walks in to a nice dinner, or cooking something and picking her up. I don't want to leave the oven on, even though electric is likely safe. I'm not much of a cook but I can handle steak, so I was debating cooking it low and slow or using a crockpot. What are my options? Should I risk leaving oven on? Should I try a different meal? Should I make her wait with wine while I cook (takes some of the fun out of the surprise, I want the meal almost done when she walks in)? Should I lie, tell her I have to work late, then surprise her? Or should I just say screw it and take her to the steakhouse after we drop her luggage?

Wait, is the dinner steak or something else? Low and slow in the oven for steak meals well-done, if not jerky.

Take her to a steakhouse, or do a different meal.... something that sounds fancy but works in the crockpot, like boeuf bourgignon.

But you're good with steak... prep everything else, and when she's home, cook up the steak while she gets freshened up. By the time she's done, steak's done.

Good idea. I can do the candles when we get in, pour the wine -- the sides have to be cooked stovetop anyway. I am leaning towards steak because it's easiest to cook (chicken is a pain) but I could do beef in the crockpot. Thanks!

Do NOT make her take a cab. Pour her a glass of wine after you get home and then turn on the grill. By the way, make sure your car (as well as the house) is nice and clean when you pick her up.

I like the crockpot idea... For something other than steak.

I am looking at homes to buy and went to look at a house right around 6 pm and the owners left for an hour with the crockpot going. I almost wanted to buy the house because of the aromas that hit the moment I stepped through the door. It gave a very homey warm feeling just from the aroma, a great smell to come home to.

I have no idea what was in the crockpot, but it smelled like thanksgiving dinner.

This is why the pros advise sellers to bake a batch of cookies just before a showing. Cheeky.

Do NOT lie to her. If she wants to be collected, do it. If you want to wow her with a lovely dinner at home, either grill a steak on return, or get a personal chef.

I'd do this too. Prep what you can before you leave for the airport, and then cook it once you're both home. If your SO is anything like women I've dated, even if she is hungry she won't care about waiting to eat because shes likely to be happy you're cooking.

If your goal is to surprise her with a nice meal on her return, don't do so by disregarding what she wants.

Off-topic and off-color posts deleted. Please stay on-topic, thank you.

cblaisd
Co-Moderator, Dining Buzz

Select something for which you can do all of the prep work in advance, and which will only take a short amount of time to cook once home. Pick her up at the airport, tell her to freshen up and change into something comfortable, and surprise her with dinner.

And she'll want to change clothes, visit the restroom, put her feet up. Give her a glass of wine on the comfy sofa while you finish the dinner. I know when I come home after a long trip, I just want to sit and relax.

Another +1 on the idea of picking her up and cooking the steak after you get home. I grill steak at least one a week, and it rarely takes more than 15 minutes from starting the grill to done. Prep as much as you can beforehand so that's all the time you need. She'll want at least 15 minutes anyway before doing anything nice; time to hang her coat, put aside her luggage, clean up a bit, and maybe change into something more comfortable. Meanwhile you've poured two glasses of wine and brought the food to the table. Enjoy!