I’m dating again! I say “again” but it really feels like the first time because the last time I dated I was like 22 and the world was a different place.
It has been an adventure - an adventure that has, so far, not resulted in second or third dates. (don’t feel bad it’s been my choice lol). And hear me out: I firmly believe date 1 = drinks, date 2 = dinner out, and date 3 = *potential* home-cooked meal.
So, theoretically, I will one day cook for a male suitor in this apartment (hopefully I will have a couch by then…) and when I do, I know exactly what I’ll make. But I want to know - what is YOUR favorite date night dish?
Subscribe so I can afford to cook fancy date night meals
Starting us off - my favorite dish to make is shrimp scampi. If I'm pulling out all the stops I'll make fresh pasta (tagliatelle) but otherwise I love mafaldine, linguine or even spaghetti
i like to make risotto! it seems fancy, it’s sort of like a fun stand and talk and stir situation and he can see how strong and good at stirring you are, it’s an excuse to open a bottle of wine, and it’s open to so many mix-ins! (why do i only date men who don’t like mushrooms???)
on an early date with my current boyfriend, i made tonkatsu (japanese pork cutlets)! it was a fun activity since i could draft him to help with breading all the cutlets, and it was something unique to my culture that he had never tried!
I prepare a sushi spread! My uncle is Japanese. He taught me how to make it when I was growing up. Depending on the audience, I’d do California rolls, tamago, inari, umeboshi, salmon or tuna. It’s fun to make the rolls together! I also get pocky and rice crackers to nibble on before.
Rib eye steak (med/Med rare) with sautéed bok choy and cilantro chimmichurri (with so much garlic). And of course a side of gab. I also can never go wrong with a garlic & oil pasta
What a fun question! My favorite date dish isn’t very complicated but tastes like it is! A caprese pasta bake with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, red peppers and spinach, all topped with fresh basil. I usually use Banza chickpea pasta!
My go-to impressive but easy-to-make meal has always been chicken piccata with a side of angel hair pasta. The lemon and capers make it seem so light, and it’s a great excuse to make use of that “ok” bottle of white wine- and then open a great one (I love the Kings Estate Pinot Gris!) I used to always serve this dish alongside a baked garlic-stuffed tomato (until now bc my hubby hates baked tomatoe with a passion). What was cool about the tomato is you could mush it up and it was an instant fresh pasta sauce. Super simple, fresh and delicious- and topped with lemon and parsley it looks like it was cooked by a pro!
367227% my linguine vongole. White wine? Clams? Carbs?? Say less. In a directly related fact, happily in love twelve years later 🦪 (yes that's an oyster but it's closest I could find, lol)
On our ur first non-distanced date (we live in such weird times) my boyfriend prepped everything for spring rolls which was so cute. It was a fun little activity, it wouldn’t have been too intimidating if I wasn’t confident in the kitchen, and it was delicious of course.
Homemade gnocchi/ gnudi! Fun activity and seems impressive, though a little messy. If I’m trying hard I’ll do it multiple ways and make a couple sauces.
I made my now-girlfriend Michael Chiarello's chicken pastina soup. it's delicious, there aren't too many steps, so it allows you to prep and cook while you're having conversation. Anything too intricate, with too many steps, you end up disappearing to cook.
What's your favorite date night dish?
Starting us off - my favorite dish to make is shrimp scampi. If I'm pulling out all the stops I'll make fresh pasta (tagliatelle) but otherwise I love mafaldine, linguine or even spaghetti
Carbonara. Everyone thinks it’s fancy but it’s easy, impressive & if they don’t like pasta then you can take them off the suitor list
i like to make risotto! it seems fancy, it’s sort of like a fun stand and talk and stir situation and he can see how strong and good at stirring you are, it’s an excuse to open a bottle of wine, and it’s open to so many mix-ins! (why do i only date men who don’t like mushrooms???)
on an early date with my current boyfriend, i made tonkatsu (japanese pork cutlets)! it was a fun activity since i could draft him to help with breading all the cutlets, and it was something unique to my culture that he had never tried!
I prepare a sushi spread! My uncle is Japanese. He taught me how to make it when I was growing up. Depending on the audience, I’d do California rolls, tamago, inari, umeboshi, salmon or tuna. It’s fun to make the rolls together! I also get pocky and rice crackers to nibble on before.
Rib eye steak (med/Med rare) with sautéed bok choy and cilantro chimmichurri (with so much garlic). And of course a side of gab. I also can never go wrong with a garlic & oil pasta
Shrimp Alfredo, my boyfriend loves it and I can easily make it dairy free for me!
What a fun question! My favorite date dish isn’t very complicated but tastes like it is! A caprese pasta bake with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, red peppers and spinach, all topped with fresh basil. I usually use Banza chickpea pasta!
My go-to impressive but easy-to-make meal has always been chicken piccata with a side of angel hair pasta. The lemon and capers make it seem so light, and it’s a great excuse to make use of that “ok” bottle of white wine- and then open a great one (I love the Kings Estate Pinot Gris!) I used to always serve this dish alongside a baked garlic-stuffed tomato (until now bc my hubby hates baked tomatoe with a passion). What was cool about the tomato is you could mush it up and it was an instant fresh pasta sauce. Super simple, fresh and delicious- and topped with lemon and parsley it looks like it was cooked by a pro!
I wooed my current partner with my well loved family recipes- my nonna’s pasta and rosemary chicken, homemade curry, and Finnish meatballs!
Sadness with a side agony. Not from Rome but I use a lot of salt and pepper.
Tacos 🌮 you can’t go wrong!
The best margharita pizza ever! Crust recipe is from Sally's Baking Addiction blog + homemade marinara sauce + cheese from the deli.
The dough only needs an hour to rise, but you can definitely let it rise longer.
Strip steak au poivre
367227% my linguine vongole. White wine? Clams? Carbs?? Say less. In a directly related fact, happily in love twelve years later 🦪 (yes that's an oyster but it's closest I could find, lol)
On our ur first non-distanced date (we live in such weird times) my boyfriend prepped everything for spring rolls which was so cute. It was a fun little activity, it wouldn’t have been too intimidating if I wasn’t confident in the kitchen, and it was delicious of course.
Homemade gnocchi/ gnudi! Fun activity and seems impressive, though a little messy. If I’m trying hard I’ll do it multiple ways and make a couple sauces.
I made my now-girlfriend Michael Chiarello's chicken pastina soup. it's delicious, there aren't too many steps, so it allows you to prep and cook while you're having conversation. Anything too intricate, with too many steps, you end up disappearing to cook.
Date night means i don’t want to be cooking, so we go out! But it’s always for Thai!!! Rad nah, pad see ew, crispy pork belly…Heaven!