What do you recommend as a good first dinner to cook for a girl on a first date?

Answer 1

Rachael Ray has some great recipes based on episodes she did just for this purpose--one recipe, which I have tried and is delicious (and would probably impress a girl on the first date unless she's really watching her figure) is for shells with a couple of sauces:

This is my modified version of the recipe: Cook 1 lb. of small shell pasta (not the huge kind you stuff); heat a jar of good-quality store-bought pasta sauce (or make your own, per Rachael's recipe)--I like the Classico brand. Once the pasta is cooked al dente, drain it and mix a cup or so of ricotta cheese with the pasta, add about a quarter to half cup of store-bought pesto (as much you prefer), mix well, then add a layer of the tomato sauce on top, then top that with slices of fresh mozzerella and put it in the oven/broiler until the cheese is melted. Serve with a salad and bread.

Other than that, chicken parmigiana would be a good one to try; I think girls in general like chicken and Italian, and make sure you serve a salad. If you're going to make something you've never made before or you think might be a little tricky to prepare, do a test run in advance to make sure it comes out right.

Answer 2

Well... my son tried to make spaghetti for his girlfriend first time... and his ceiling is still spattered orange - lol

Want a nice meal that's a bit of a cheat, but works out well?

Get some Stouffer's frozen lasagna. Get a couple of them. Put them side by side in a baking dish of your own. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and then bake according to package directions.

Get bagged salad mix and a pint of grape tomatoes or put together a salad from the salad bar at your local grocery.

Get fresh Italian bread... and a bottle of Italian red wine if you're legal and plan to drink... Citra Montepulciano D'Abruzzo if you're on a budget and Santa Cristina Sangiovese Antinori if you're not :)

For dessert? Buy Noni's Biscotti... or pick up some cannoli at your local bakery or Italian restaurant. If you know how to make coffee, do that to have with dessert.

You've just made a very easy, authentic and virtually foolproof Italian meal and she's very impressed ;)

Answer 3

Rigatoni Alla Carbonara

Ingredients

(4 servings)

3 oz Pancetta
1/4 c Chopped onion
1 sm Dried red chile
3 tb Butter
3 tb Olive oil
4 Eggs
1/2 c Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 c Grated pecorino
1 tb Salt
1/2 ts Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tb Chopped parsley
1 lb Imported Italian spaghetti


Instructions

FINELY DICE THE PANCETTA and saute it gently with the onion and chile in the butter and olive oil until pancetta is rendered and the onion soft, about 10 minutes. Discard chile. Beat the eggs with the 2 cheeses, 1/2 teaspoon salt, several grindings of black pepper and the parsley. Bring 4-to-5 quarts of water to the boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt and put in the pasta. When pasta is still slightly underdone, drain it and add it to the pan with the pancetta. Over low heat, toss thoroughly to coat the pasta with the oil and butter. Off heat, stir in the egg-cheese mixture and toss vigorously. Serve at once.

Answer 4

I would go with a nice fresh fish, such as talapia, or orange roughy, Season the fish with SALT, pepper and garlic powder, I you frying pan melt 2 tablespoons butter and add 2 tablespoon of oil. When the pan is hot, place the fish in the pan You will time the fish for 5 to seven minutes then turn gently so you do not break the fish, Serve this with rice pilaf and steamed asparagus spears.

Happy eating

Answer 5

Actually, I don't reccommend cooking for a woman on a first date, unless you have somehow managed to steer the conversation toward food allergies. An allergic reaction can end your evening pretty quick. Take her out to a nice restaurant instead. Wait until you know what kind of foods she likes and if she's got any allergies before you cook her dinner. Once you know what her tastes are, you should be able to pick the perfect meal yourself.

Answer 6

Grilled Flank Steak or you can pan sear a steak and thinly slice it. Fresh Vegetables-Green Beans-dont forget to snip the tips off. Try a yam mash, put some minced garlic and butter in to give it a nice texture and flavor. Serve a reduced cabernet sauce with the steak or something easier-you can make a brown gravy. I believe they have packets for that and a nice Cab or Merlot.

Or you can go the pasta route. There are plenty of recipes online:

PASTA WITH ALFREDO-PESTO SAUCE

1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
2 garlic cloves
1/3 cup olive oil
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 cup whipping cream
1 pound capellini or spaghetti, freshly cooked

Finely chop basil, pine nuts and garlic in processor. With machine running, gradually add olive oil through feed tube and process until smooth. Mix in 1/2 Parmesan. Transfer pesto to small jar. (Can be prepared 4 days ahead. Pour enough olive oil over sauce to cover. Cover and refrigerate.)

Bring cream to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Whisk in pesto. Season sauce and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan in large bowl. Toss to coat pasta evenly and serve.

Serves 4 to 6.

Or a Pork Chops with a cherry and apple compote. Fresh Vegetables and again mashed yams or you can make a potato dish too.

Answer 7

maybe a Grilled Chicken Breast with a basil pesto sauce( you can buy basil pesto in a jar) some fettuccine pasta seasoned with basil ,lemon and a few sprinkles of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a nice spring mix salad with french bread sticks flavor with olive oil, salt and pepper and a nice glass of Chardonnay wine or white sparkling grape juice .Salad dressing could be chipotle ranch for a little zest...try a chocolate brownie mouse cake for dessert...you can buy it in a box at the grocery store,its easy to make.... bake the brownie ,make the mouse like you would pudding, put in frig. when all is childed, assemble and drizzle with chocolate glaze, that comes with the box...Wow La and you did it .She will be in pressed and so will you....Good luck

Answer 8

italian would be good, except you have to struggle with messy noodles, and that's not sexy. steak poses the same problems, because they can by damn hard to cut through while still looking good.

i'd recommend chicken, not on the bone, but maybe roasted in lemon or herbs. a classic wine is always good too, and for dessert, something classy, but delicious, like a hot blueberry pastry with ice cream and raspberry sauce.

do this, and a second date is almost guaranteed!

Answer 9

Start simple. Broiled chicken breast, steamed broccoli with cheese sauce, cooked rice. Finish with fresh fruit over ice cream. Small servings about the size of your closed fist.

Remember that the date is not about eating, it's about conversation. Use small plates.

Answer 10

grilled chicken breast, wild rice, a green dinner salad, buttered rolls or croissants. Not to mention, a nice bottle of red wine.
OR
roast pork tenderloin, cinnamon apples, au gratin potatoes, a green dinner salad. And a bottle of red wine.
For dessert, strawberry shortcake, or brownies ala mode or something.