What is a simple, perfect meal for a first date?

Question

It can't be pork, or spicy. I want to keep it simple, not too overboard the first time. She loves Italian food and some mexican food. Any help would be great.

Answer 1

You should serve this -

GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN

1 tablespoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 (3 1/2-lb) chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces


To make marinade combine all ingredients except chicken in a blender and blend until emulsified. Put chicken pieces in a large sealable plastic bag. Add marinade and turn chicken once or twice to coat. Marinate at least 8 hours. Bring chicken to room temperature 30 minutes before grilling and discard marinade.
To cook chicken using a charcoal grill:
Open vents on bottom of grill and on lid. Light a large chimney starter of charcoal (80 to 100 briquettes). Leaving about one quarter of grill free of charcoal, bank lit charcoal across rest of grill so that coals are about 3 times higher on opposite side. When charcoal turns grayish white (about 15 to 20 minutes) and you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds, sear chicken on lightly oiled grill rack over coals, uncovered, turning occasionally, until browned, 4 to 8 minutes total. Move chicken to side of grill with no coals underneath and cook, covered with lid, turning occasionally, until just cooked through, about 12 minutes for wings, 18 to 20 minutes for breasts, and 20 to28 minutes for dark meat. Transfer chicken as cooked to a platter.
To cook chicken using a gas grill:
Preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then adjust heat to moderately high. Sear chicken on lightly oiled grill rack, uncovered, turning over once, until well browned, 4 to 8 minutes total. Turn off 1 burner (middle burner if there are 3) and arrange chicken on rack above shut-off burner. Cook, covered with lid and turning over occasionally, until just cooked through, about 12 minutes for wings, 18 to 20 minutes for breasts, and 20 to 28 minutes for dark meat. Transfer chicken as cooked to a platter.
Cooks' notes:
• Chicken can be marinated up to 24 hours.
• If you aren't able to grill outdoors, chicken can be seared in batches in a hot well-seasoned ridged grill pan over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer chicken as seared to a large baking pan and bake, skin sides up, in middle of a preheated 375°F oven until just cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

Makes 4 to 6 servings. and is wonderful served with a salad and asparagus

Answer 2

Make up a pasta dish. This is a nice cheating way to do it lol. Ok, first off cook whatever meat you are going to use in the meal on wok, add in vegetables you want to use (I'd suggest capsicum, mushroom and onion) plus pinenuts (sometimes found in spices section if not near nuts, weird I know) and make sure you stir regularly to prevent burning of the pine nuts. Then add a can of tomato and spinach pasta sauce, along with some pepper and three tablespoons of cottage cheese for flavour. Serve with pasta and some parsley (decoration so optional) and parmesan.

Also can make up mexican, fairly simple. Buy tortilla wraps, some burrito sauce plus meat and veggies. fry the meat and veggies in a tablespoon of garlic then add in the sauce to cook with it. Put the mixture into a wrap, add a bit of cheese, folder (Seal with sauce if need be), put some additional sauce, not too much that it will be soggy, plus a little bit of cheese, heat it in microwave to make sure cheese is melted, say 45 seconds, plus put a side of rice on the side.

Answer 3

Creamy Fettuccini Alfredo

1 – 8 oz. Package Philly Cream Cheese (I use the light version – 1/3 less fat), cubed
¾ cup (3 oz.) fresh grated Parmesan cheese (I like De Giorno, don’t use Kraft)
½ cup margarine (I use I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Light)
½ cup milk (I use 1% or 2% low fat)
8 oz. fettuccini, cooked, drained (I use the fresh Contadina low fat one)

In large saucepan, combine cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, margarine and milk.
Stir over low heat until smooth. Add to drained fettuccini and toss lightly. Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese if desired. Makes 4 servings.


Serving Suggestions:
I serve this with chicken Parmesan, salad, and garlic bread.


Quick Chicken Parmesan

4 Boneless Chicken Breasts, pounded flat
1 jar Spaghetti Sauce (I use Prego mushroom and garlic)
3 oz. Mozzarella Cheese, grated
2 cups Italian Bread Crumbs
2 oz. Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 egg, plus 1 tbs water, slightly beaten

Mix Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic salt together in bowl. Beat 1 egg in another bowl, 1 tbs water and a dash of garlic salt. Dip chicken in egg, then in crumbs and fry in oil until brown on each side (10 – 15 min each side). Pour spaghetti sauce over chicken and sprinkle with cheese, cover so cheese melts and serve. Makes 4 servings.

You don't have to serve these two together but they complement each other very well. They are both super simple and quick but have an expensive restaurant quality. Enjoy!

Answer 4

This may be too overboard, but I'm married to the girl I did this for...

A simple grilled chicken with vidalia onions and plum tomatoes in a rich wine reduction sauce, served with wild mushroom risotto. Accompanied by a lovely full bodied red wine.

Chicken, prep time 15 minutes. Buy 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, from the store. Clean and season and place in casserole dish. Add 2 Italian plum tomatoes, quartered, and some vadalia onions, also quartered. Add 2 gloves of squeezed garlic. Pour in half a bottle of your favorite pasta sauce, and 2 cups of wine or more. Place in fridge over night.

Next day,

Before making risotto, heat oil in other deep nonstick skillet, place only chicken breasts in hot skillet, brown and cook both sides. Add remainder of marinade to skillet. May ad more sauce/wine if desired. cover and lower heat and simmer while you start on risotto.

Put olive oil in deep skillet pan, heat, add one clove chopped garlic and some onions, place 1 cup of risotto in pan, brown risotto a little, add chicken stock to risotto, and simmer and stir, add stock one ladle full at a time, until combined. stir with wooden spoon. add mushrooms, uncooked, season rice with salt, pepper and Italian seasonings, continue to add stock until risotto is at desired "doneness." Takes about 20-40 minutes. By that time, tomatoes and onions in sauce would be cooked all the way, along with chicken.

If you feel risotto is to laborious, can use pasta with sauce from chicken. Don't forget the Parmesan cheese. Use the extra wine for the beverages, and have bread. Hopefully you aren't messy eaters.

Good luck.

P.S. Wash the dishes before she comes over.

Answer 5

without understanding the form of nutrition your date enjoys i will share this tip. while i became into dating i chanced on the suited meal began with going to a eating place for the 1st date. Her order made me responsive to what she enjoyed nutrition-clever. That made the cooking area hassle-free as i could make a dish in line with what she ordered. in no way fails! uncertain if that helps yet i'm advantageous notwithstanding you're making your date will like it! in simple terms stay faraway from Chili...has a tendency to make dates apprehensive ; )

Answer 6

how about some pasta dish like a simple spaghetti and meatballs or penne vodka. Dont forget the garlic bread, a nice house salad and a good red wine.

Answer 7

italian sausage cut up with onions and greenpepper with a tablespoon of olive oil,,,, cook up till italian sausage are brown,,,,, add 2 16 oz cans of tomato sauce,,, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic,,, salt and pepper to taste,,,, cover and cook approx 1 hour to 1 to 1 1/2 hours over med heat,,,,

serve over pasta i would suggest a rigatoni

serve with a salad or nice fresh french bread,,,

get some fresh parmesian grated ,,,grate over when serving

it will be like you cooked all day and it will be loved

Answer 8

a pasta dish, salad and garlic bread is always a good simple meal.

Answer 9

Pasta the long slim kind like lady and the tramp!!