If lunch and dinner is perfect for that first and second date, what about the third one?Matchmaker and Relationship Expert Linda Prescott says, “Why not cook? In fact, a shared meal is often where the sparks first fly!” Bonding over the dinner table is a proven way to get closer to a romantic partner. According to Matthew Riccio, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, cooking for someone “can absolutely bring a sense of closeness in that you’re expressing your care for someone. It’s a very intimate activity.” To help you get started, here are some Easy Dinners To Impress Your Date.
Why Cooking Together is Romantic
Linda says, “Spending time in the kitchen will give you the opportunity to get to know each other more. Enjoy a good conversation together while you excite your tastebuds with the delicious aroma.” Carol Metzger, a couples therapist in Indianapolis, likens preparing a meal together to two people doing a slow dance, where both the words and body language give all kinds of signals. During that “slow dance,” while sipping wine or cutting up some fruits, the kitchen can be a relaxed place to gain insights about your date.
Easy Dinners and Recipes Perfect for Your First Time Cooking Together
These recipes are also perfect for your first time cooking together. Now before you stress about doing the groceries, getting ingredients these days are a lot simpler thanks to Click & Collect. Just add your ingredients into the Shopping Bag and schedule to collect when you need them. Easy!
PERFECT 15-MINUTE GRILLED SALMON
Ingredients
1 – 1 ½ lbs. salmon fillet cut into 4 pieces
Olive oil
House seasoning mix:
¼ c. garlic powder
¼ c. kosher salt
¼ c. dried parsley
¼ c. dried minced onion
¼ c. dried basil
Instructions
1. Mix the House Seasoning ingredients together. Rub each piece of salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with house seasoning, to taste (about 1 teaspoon of olive oil and ¼ teaspoon of seasoning per piece).
2. Place salmon on the grill. Cover and grill over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side (maybe a few more minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish). The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
Recipe by The Seasoned Mom.
GARLIC BUTTER STEAK
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 beef flat iron steak or boneless top sirloin steak (3/4 pound)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
1. Mix 1 tablespoon butter, parsley, garlic and soy sauce.
2. Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat remaining butter over medium heat.
3. Add steak; cook until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°), 4-7 minutes per side. Serve with garlic butter.
Recipe by Taste of Home.
15-MINUTE PRAWN NAGE
Ingredients
1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, very finely chopped
1 leek, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, sliced
1 cup (250ml) white wine
1 cup (250ml) fish stock
20 (about 2kg) tiger prawns, peeled, deveined
500g pot-ready clams
Juice of 1 lemon
100g unsalted butter
1/2 cup basil leaves, thinly sliced, plus extra whole leaves to serve
1/2 cup tarragon leaves, plus extra to serve
400g orecchiette pasta, cooked according to packet instructions
Creme fraiche, to serve
Instructions
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, leek and garlic, and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add wine and stock, increase heat to high and bring to the boil. Add the seafood, then cover and cook for 4 minutes or until almost cooked. Add lemon juice, butter and herbs, and cook, stirring until butter has melted. Season. Add pasta and cook for a further 1 minute to warm through.
2. Divide among serving dishes, top with extra herbs and serve with creme fraiche.
Recipe by Delicious.
GARLIC PARMESAN BAKED EGGPLANT
Ingredients
1 large eggplant
6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. Wash the eggplant and trim off the green end. You can peel the skin if you like. Next, slice eggplant into 1/2″ disks. Place all disks in colander or cooling rack set over baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and let sit for at least 30 minutes
2. Melt butter in a bowl. Mix breadcrumbs, spices and Parmesan cheese in another bowl.
3. Dip each eggplant disk into butter first, then breading mixture. Place on aluminium foil or parchment paper lined baking sheet.
4. Bake in 205°C oven for 15 minutes, then flip each disk and baked for 7 more minutes. The eggplant should be golden brown and the breading crispy.
Serve as side dish, appetiser or use in eggplant Parmesan.
Recipe by Crunchy Creamy Sweet.
Yum! This has got us feeling hungry. We hope you’ll enjoy your culinary adventure with your special someone. As they say, food is the way to the heart!
