One of the special types of meals I've done for a husband is a few courses tied together by the same ingredients. The courses should not require last minute attention, and small portions over a leisurely meal can be a lovely ambiance like a tasting menu. A modified simple version of bastilla: use phyllo and poached chicken. The broth - add back the bones and simmer and reduce served in a small portion with small pasta as a first course. Bring phyllo and whatever else fits in the ice chest to avoid the grocery acquisition drama. . Do spicing to his taste. It is lovely and you may have leftovers. Tone down or omit sweet on top if he does nt enjoy sweet/savory combos. A green salad with light dressing to cleanse palate, and a sweet he likes with coffee and cognac after or bit later. I cooked in beach rentals twice a year for years and never brought a pan. Not great stuff there but one makes do. The vegetable suggestions above make sense but how veggie lover is he?
