Do you view yourself as just an ordinary cook and wish you could fix a gourmet meal for your family? Take heart, there are many tips to turn your old favorites into something special. It's getting easier and easier to find gourmet meal ideas on the Internet. There's some tips to be found on FoodEditorials.com. Lee Dobbins has posted an article about a secret ingredient that can help give some class to almost anything you serve. And, it's easy to find at your local grocery store and costs under $5. Isn't that wonderful? Have you guessed it yet? Well, it's frozen puff pastry. Yes, it's that stuff you probably think looks so delicate and difficult but it's not. The writer says, "it is one of the most overlooked foods you can use to cook with."

Frozen puff pastry handles beautifully and needs no additional prep to add a bit of class to any meal. It actually can make you look like a gourmet chef. You could make up a puff pastry dessert like a fruit tart in about 20 minutes. Your family or guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen baking it. Go to Whatscookingamerica.net/Menu/Unexpected.htm to find a gourmet menu for unexpected company. You probably have all of these items in your kitchen. The suggested menu includes hot clam dip, roasted garlic, mixed green salad with poppy seed dressing, fettuccine piccate and lemon pudding cake.

Go to Mygourmetconnection.com for their menu for "Grownups Halloween Dinner." It seems easy but classy. Many people think that Halloween celebrations are just for children but this menu may change your mind. They suggest a French-inspired menu that can be prepared mostly in advance. There's also some simple ideas for table decor, festive cocktails and even some thoughts on background music. Now, let's have a gourmet meal!