What is a good first meal to cook for a new boyfriend?

Question

I've been dating a new guy for about 3 weeks. I'm cooking for him for the first time tomorrow night. I'm a good cook (I've won an award or two), so I'm not nervous about that. I'm just looking for good recipes that will impress him, because we all know the way to a man's heart is through his stomach! ;) I'm not afraid of complicated meals, either. No grilling though, since he lives in a third story apt. with no balcony!

Thanks!

Answer 1

As much as I don't like watching her, Rachel Ray's "You Won't Be Single For Long Vodka Pasta" is a GREAT meal...I've only heard good things from everyone I've cooked it for!

Also, the recipe makes tons of pasta, which is great if the guy likes to eat a lot...

Here's a link to the recipe

Answer 2

I am glad that you are a good cook. You can impress him later with your technique. What you want to do is a meal that can sit. Show him some technique and put the dish in an oven so you and he can converse, have some wine and not worry when dinner is ready. Chicken Parmesan is a winner. A mixed salad with a vinaigrette. Simple and elegant. Ask you boyfriend to help. You will find out quick what kind of guy he is.

Best of Luck

Answer 3

I've had to cook for people that eat bland food all the time, and the trick is to not go too far out there. While spaghetti and garlic bread is a simple dish, like several people have suggested, when properly done it can do wonders. Likely he's used to spaghetti and Ragu or something horrible like that, with frozen garlic bread (or worse, Texas Toast). So making a homemade sauce with a different kind of noodle and fresh garlic bread is a good way to go. The trick to remember is that it's less important to get him to try a new food and more important to get him to try a new style. Use plenty of fresh ingredients, lots of TLC and a recipe you know is guaranteed to be delicious. Now is not the time to experiment, that's for later, after he gets excited about your food.

Answer 4

Why not ask him what his favorite foods are and go from there? I would keep everything as simple as possible. Men like most meat dishes, and really aren't into fancy or gourmet stuff. I would suggest steak cooked under a broiler, baked potato stuffed with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits and chives, Caesar salad, garlic bread and a simple dessert such as ice cream or sherbet. If he's a pasta lover, make a generous amount of spaghetti and meatballs, a tossed salad, red wine and garlic bread, with fruit pie for dessert. A third choice might be fried chicken, mashed potatoes and country gravy, biscuits with butter and honey, vegetable medley of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, and apple crisp for dessert. With your culinary expertise, you should have no trouble whipping up one of these meals. Good luck!

Answer 5

Lasagna a salad and garlic bread is always a safe bet , you can prepare this ahead and just put it in the oven at his house. Good Luck


Boil lasagna noodles rinse with cold water set aside to drain. Brown1lb. hamburger with 1lb. ground Italian sausage drain well, add 3 jars ragu , 1 heaping tablespoon of minced garlic,1/2 teaspoon each of oregano and basil. mix in 1 cup ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of meat sauce. then a layer of noodles. next 4 cups Kraft Italian blend cheese.repeat until pan is full last layer is meat sauce then top with provolone slices approx. 12 slices sprinkle oregano on top cover and bake at 375 for 1 hour .Remove foil bake an additional 15 min. Mama Mia!

Answer 6

Parmesan ranch chicken,
real easy
Take two 5-6oz chicken breasts, place about 1/2 oz of olive oil in a skillet heat add a 1/2 teaspoon of fresh garlic place breasts in oil thick side down, and brown lightly on both sides, remove from skillet place in an oven ready dish, pour ranch dressing over both breasts and top with parm cheese cook for about 20 mins in a 350 degree oven or until internal temp is 165 degrees serve over buttered noodles it will knock his socks off hey good luck I know its good my patrons think it is great

Answer 7

Cook him something he's never had before so he has nothing to compare it with. Something "Gourmet" but easy for you to cook. A diversion from the ordinary will impress the heck out of him! Now that I have given you that idea go online to Cooking sites. Good Luck and enjoy that special dinner with your man. Much Success!

Answer 8

I have been reading all these answers, and my mouth is watering! However, one statement you made in your question has required me to ask a question of you. You said, "No grilling though, since he lives in a third story apt. with no balcony!"

Are we to presume that you are going to be cooking at HIS place, using HIS cooking supplies??? If so, you would probably be better off cooking the very simplest dish possible, because guys aren't going to have a lot of cooking dishes, cooking supplies, and cooking staples (unless they really like to cook, themselves).

I would suggest "buffalo wings" for snacking in front of the TV while his favorite sports game is on. And, one of the chicken dishes: baked, fried, boiled (as soup). With a good garden salad.

Either that, or bring all your cooking pots, pans, utensils, etc. with you when you go to his place...!!!

Answer 9

Something hearty, seasonal and FULL of complex flavour, I think.

Perhaps pan seared double cup pork chop? Finished in the oven, of course.

De glaze the saute pan to made a nice reduction--seasoned with rosemary and thyme..perhaps a little sage, and cracked pepper, of course.

Freshly made Mango chutney would be a lovely accompaniment.

A simple rice pilaf, with cranberries and toasted walnuts

Garnish the plate with finely diced red bell pepper and some chopped parsley.

How does that sound?

Answer 10

MY Spinach Lobster Fettucini

1 lb Chunk Lobster Meat
1 bunch fresh spinach
1 Bottle Pino Grigio
1 box fettucini(cooked)
2tbls butter
1 jar alfredo sauce

sautee meat with butter and a little wine. Take out meat, sautee spinach in same butter. Put spinach and butter in blender with alfredo sauce, blend. Toss with pasta and meat. (Do not put meat in blender, leave whole) Top with pepper and parmesan if desired, eat, and drink wine left over.