Knowing how to make a few great meals is one of those life skills you need to learn before turning 30.
And it’s not just because learning how to do so means you don’t have to worry about starving. It’s more than that.
Cooking great food for yourself and for others can make you feel good and more connected. Which is why if you’re looking to ignite (or-reignite) a connection with a special someone, you can’t go wrong with a cozy, home-cooked meal.
That said, here are 9 recipes to impress your date that will make it look like you slaved away for hours in the kitchen, but are actually super easy to make.get the recipe here
Garlic-Yogurt Baked Chicken
Chicken is easy to make, right?
But if you prepare and cook it the wrong way, it can turn out tough, dry, and bland. The good thing about garlic-yogurt baked chicken is it’s foolproof. The yogurt marinade plus the spices will ensure the meat remains moist, tender, and flavorful.
For the full list of ingredients and instructions, get the recipe here.
Easy Homemade Ravioli
Did you say a recipe to impress your date?
Don’t let the ‘easy’ part make you think this meal isn’t impressive enough. Since it’s homemade, you don’t need to worry about smothering the pasta in sauce just to make it palatable.
If you cook it right, it’s good enough to eat with only a bit of olive oil and some parmesan cheese. But you can also experiment with the fillings. Try this if you’re looking for an awesome vegetarian ravioli recipe.
Slow-Roasted Salmon
Is the way to your date’s heart a hearty but healthy meal?
If yes, then you need to cook this juicy and citrusy salmon dish. Don’t worry about the ‘slow-roasted’ bit. You don’t have to watch this baby cook for hours.
You don’t even need to mix all the ingredients in a bowl. All you need is a baking dish, where you can layer all the components together.
When it’s done, try to exert some effort to arrange everything on a platter. This way, it won’t just be a dinner to impress your date’s taste buds. But it will look like it, too.
Pulled Pork
Who says pulled pork can’t be romantic?
Once your date gets a taste of this pulled pork recipe, he or she will be begging for more. The secret to this delicious dish is none other than a slow cooker.
Coat your pork shoulder with the right spices, add plenty of garlic and onions, and don’t forget the chicken broth. In about six to ten hours, you’ll have the most flavorful and tenderest meat that’s perfect for sandwiches or nachos.
Grilled Rubbed Ribeye
This ribeye recipe is the perfect addition to your list of meals to impress a special someone. It’s also the dish to prepare if you want to show off your top-notch grilling skills.
You’ll be seasoning your ribeye with only six ingredients: Spanish paprika, chili powder, black pepper, sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder. There’s no need to leave the rub overnight.
30 minutes in the fridge and it’s ready to grill. Don’t forget your garlic compound butter to enhance the flavor of your steak.
Goat Cheese Pizza
Your date asks, “Do you want to order pizza?”
To which you say, “How about I bake you one right now? It will only take around 30 minutes or so.”
And that’s not a lie. This goat cheese pizza recipe takes 10 minutes to prepare and about 15 minutes to bake. But make sure you already have some pizza crust on hand (store-bought will do).
Ingredients include goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. Make the sauce by mixing olive oil and garlic, then spread it over the crust. Add the tomatoes and cheese, then bake it in your preheated oven.
Shrimp and Avocado Salad
If you think a salad’s not fancy enough for your date, maybe you just haven’t found the right recipe yet. This shrimp and avocado salad is light, easy to prepare, and has the right amount of fancy to impress your guy (or gal).
Aside from shrimp and avocado, you’ll need some pineapples (cut into smaller pieces), olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, cucumber, watercress, and onion.
Char the deveined shrimp and grill together with the pineapples. Set aside then mix lemon juice, some olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. This will be your dressing.
Toss in the rest of the ingredients, and your salad’s ready to serve.
Curry
One of the best things about curry is how versatile it is. You can make it with veggies or meat. You can make it spicy or mild, creamy or dry, and so on.
There are so many variations and each one doesn’t have to take hours to perfect. For some of the best and easiest curry recipes, check this list.
Steamed Mussels
You probably know that oysters are aphrodisiacs. But did you know mussels and clams also contain compounds that help release sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen?
Now, if you don’t want to appear too obvious by serving oysters, why not go with mussels or clams instead?
Steamed mussels are easy to make. You only need to prepare the broth (made from shallots, garlic, butter, and white wine).
Tip: Don’t throw the broth once you and your date have eaten everything. Get some bread and make sure to sop up every drop.
Looking for More Cooking Advice, Recipes to Impress, and Kitchen Tips?
Now that you know some recipes to impress your date, don’t hesitate to keep on learning. The more meals you know how to cook, the more you can refine your tastes.
For more cooking advice, tips, recipes, and more, feel free to browse the rest of the site.
