For the love of God don't use plastic utensils.. save those for a future picnic date (<<<<<definite winner right there)

Cheesy Chicken sounds like a euphemism for crotch rot.

Serve several small courses, only one of which involves any complex cooking. eg a store bought appetizer that you just have to heat, a salad, the entree (please avoid campbell's soup) then ice cream and fruit.
That way if you burn something or she doesn't like something, there will still be plenty of options and dinner won't be ruined/become awkward. Or make the appetizer your piece de resistance then go with a store bought or minimal cook entree.

I assume you checked if she has any dietary restrictions?

I don't know how great of a cook you are, but I'd like to point you to Cookingforengineers.com.

The recipes have pictures each step of the way, so that when you're looking in the pan thinking "Is it supposed to look like that?" you can check the recipe and say "Yes. Yes, it is."

Their ratatouille recipe is delicious. I've made it a few times as both an "in front of the tv" type dinner and a "romantic date night" dinner. For the "nice" dinner, I get a fresh baguette, slice it into inch-thick slices, and toast half of them. The toasted and untoasted pieces get arranged on a plate with a little bit of butter in a small dish in the middle, and then served in the middle of the table. (TV dinner involves just ripping hunks off the bread while it is still in the bag.) :blush:
Also, while the ratatouille recipe has a lot of ingredients, it's mostly veggies -- a definite plus for the impoverished college student.

Whatever you decide to cook, make sure you practice it at least once, to help you be comfortable and to find out if the recipe is something you actually like. On Sunday morning, go over your ingredient list and make sure you have everything you need and possibly a little extra. You'd hate to have to call your date and say "Hey, can you pick up a few extra cans of chicken stock on your way over?"

Also: others have mentioned burning candles, which is great, but I'd actually suggest getting plain ones rather than scented. Strongly scented candles (especially if you wanted them in the middle of the table) can mess with how the food tastes, and I've had a few otherwise delicious meals ruined because someone just had to have a scented candle on the table.

I'd go for something with just a little spice. No garlic. A little spice on the breath is kind of sexy, as long as it isn't overpowering. You could do a really nice ginger based stir fry or somesuch....or Chinese fivespice.

Stir fries are great because they are easy, quick, take very little preparation beyond some chopping (not even that ify ou buy a bag of prechopped stir fry veg) and noodles are no where near as dodgy as spaghetti for eating on a date.


[eta] scented candles are potentially troublesome. For all you know she could have some kind of mild asthma in which case scented candles can be a problem.

Great idea! You can make it in minutes so it'll be fresh no matter the timing.

I suppose it depends on the candle. I've never come across a tealight so strong it messes with food taste or sets off asthma, but YMMV.

A vanilla room spray, if used a couple of hours beforehand, will have the same subtle effect.

One word: Turducken.

You will need butter and milk. Get a box of Macaroni Grill Basil and Chicken Pasta around $5 and some skinless boneless chicken strips maybe $3-5.
This meal is so simple if you follow the directions and it tastes just like the restaurant. The noodles are short no worries about slurping. It takes two pans and a colander. As a side you can take two tomatoes and section them, put in separate bowls and use some balsamic vinaigrette dressing. She will think you are a gourmet cook!
eta] This takes 20 minutes tops to make including any prep time.

Sautee some chicken. Add a sauce. Vegetables. Rolls. Piece of cake.

WOW - this seems to be complicating the hell out of it - If she has any allergies that incumbent upon her to tell him - not the other way around. Go to Arby's and do the 5 for $5. Spray Lysol all over the place and leave out some mouse traps - then she'll know you are reactive, not proactive. Do not clean anything other than what you normally do - that would be dishonest and give a false impression of you and your habits. If she doesn't like you for who you are - move on.org

Very little sets off my asthma these days, but scented candles are a dead cert.

If a guy I liked invited me on a dinner date, I may well tell him not to cook anything with peanuts, but it would never occur to me to tell him about the scented candles. It only occurred to me now because people had suggested them.

It's hardwired in our DNA to preen.

Two chicken breasts.
Lawry's 30 minute marinade (but let it soak for a good two hours) Baja Chipotle or Lemon Pepper are both excellent choices.

Grill them. Very simple to do.

Uncle Ben's 90 second rice pack- Long Grain and Wild. Orange microwaveable pack. Tear top of pack and nuke for 90 seconds.

Bird's Eye Steamfresh frozen veggies. Take your pick of veggie - corn is simple and colorful. Do not tear package, just put in microwave and push the button.

Salad. Either get your own veggies and make it yourself or buy a prepackaged salad. Get two kinds of dressing so she has a choice.

Result? Very simple, well balanced meal. Nothing in there is likely to offend senses or stomachs. Several items on menu so if one isn't a hit there is still plenty to eat.

Total cost? <$20.

I'm afraid I disagree with your grilled chicken choice LO... I grill a lot and still manage to fuck up chicken... (and even when its not fucked up, it's still just chicken *yawn*) unless you're talking about a George Foreman (does Fresh have a real grill?).
I think the stir fry over rice or noodles sounds like the best idea so far - you can make that as simple or interesting as you want depending on ingredients. You can prepare in advance but cook whenever you're ready.

I swear by the ease of grilled chicken. I have the foreman and a regular grill and it works well on both, but for the newbie the foreman is easier.

the marinade really makes the meal. absolutely melts in your mouth when done right.