Many people, when faced with the choice of fixing an intimate, candlelight at-home meal for a special someone, or taking them out to eat at a gourmet restaurant, opt for the latter. Why? Usually because they want to impress that person with a fine meal of gourmet quality, but think they lack the skills to prepare such a dazzling meal. Did you know that there is such a thing as Quick and Easy gourmet recipes? Yes indeed, and you don't have to be Julia Childs to put this meal together. Here we take a look at a few of the secrets to Quick and Easy gourmet recipe success.

What gourmet recipes all have in common is gourmet quality ingredients. While lobster is undeniably a gourmet food, you don't need to spend a week's worth of your food budget to make a truly gourmet meal. Simple to prepare, inexpensive meats, fish and seafood can be easily transformed into a to-die-for entree that your guest, or guests, will remember and talk about for weeks to come.

One of the secrets to Quick and Easy gourmet recipes is to top that meat with some gourmet ingredients, such as a mix of exotic mushrooms, seasoned with fresh herbs and spices which complement your chosen meat. You saute the mushrooms in olive oil, stir in the seasonings and you've got a gourmet meal entree. Let's say you're cooking boneless chicken breasts. What makes this special is what you put on top. The mushroom topping works well. There are also some fantastic chutneys, salsas and sauces you can find right on the supermarket shelf. This isn't cheating! Rest assured that these products were developed by a gourmet cook and there's no need for you to reinvent the wheel. Besides, this is supposed to be Quick and Easy, right?

For side dishes, once again, simple ingredients don't necessarily mean the result is simple. One signature of gourmet food is complexity of flavor. For example, plain rice isn't exactly what most people consider to be a gourmet treat. However, with a cup of cooked orzo (a tiny pasta which looks much like rice), a bit of wild rice and a few tablespoons of freshly snipped cilantro, you've got an Quick and Easy gourmet recipe.

A plain garden salad is easily dressed up for company with the addition of a few gourmet ingredients, such as marinated mushrooms or artichokes, fire roasted red peppers, water chestnuts or baby corn. Instead of using plain lettuce, try some hearts of romaine mixed with some varieties of mesclun. The number of ready made salad dressings is truly astonishing. Fortunately, all of these ingredients are available at the supermarket. All you need to do is artfully arrange the ingredients! A mound of shrimp or crab in the center can make a complete meal as a chef's salad.

Another hot trend for your arsenal of Quick and Easy gourmet recipes is the so-called artisan breads. Every large supermarket now carries these freshly baked wonders. All you do is warm it in the oven and nestle the loaf in a cloth-lined bread basket.

Thank goodness for supermarkets! BTW, if your guests applaud your gourmet skills, just say, ìThank you!î.