Dinner date
 

So I have a dinner date next Sunday. But it's at my apartment.

What should I, a fledgling college student, cook for her?

You're at Fledgling College? I was there!

No, wait a minute....



I don't know what you can cook. I have the following suggestions.

Check with the girl for preferences/hates/allergies/ethical convictions.
Avoid spagetti or noodles - having to slurp your food is undignified and can splatter your clothes.

Find a recipie that involves wine. (1) It tastes good. (2) it might make you look a bit sofist... suffis .... surfistikated. (3) It makes it quite natural to have a glass or two over the meal.

Choose a simple recipie - nothing too complex.

Practice the recipie a few days before, in case you bollocks it up.

Have FRESH ingredients that you buy on the day. It always tastes better.

Have chocolates on standby. Some nice after dinner mints.

Clean your appartment - I don't just mean tidy, but sweep, mop, vacuum, and especially AIR it out. But then scatter some "cute" untidyness - a few books on top the TV, a tie hung over the fridge door handle. Oh and maybe take down that poster of the six naked chicks in mutual bondage. Unless she's into that, of course, in which case the dinner menu is pretty much beside the point.

Good luck.

Hmmm...some of Zen's advice could be a little dubious if she already knows what your apartment is like, although I'm sure she'd appreciate the sentiment. Do girls really get into 'cute' untidyness? lol

Fresh, I'd recommend someting simple like salad with grilled fish or chicken. Generally for chicks you can't go wrong with that, especially if you're not so great in the kitchen. You can always dress the chicken up with some fancy store bought sauce if you want.

For desert, icecream and fresh fruit with a nice sweet sauce is another simple but tasty option.

For entre, try crusty bread with a simple dip of olive oil and balsamic with salt to dip in...or dukka if you can get it there.

Too easy, and hardly any time in the kitchen. ;)

Oh, airing out the apartment was one of the tips you definitely should try.

The cute mess idea was that you don't want to look anal retentive.
Also you don't want to look like a slob who cleaned up just for her. You cleaned on Saturday morning like you always do, it's just a coincidence she came over that night. ;)

Hmmm, am I too transparent?

The chicken or fish sound like good ideas. Something with a yummy sauce from a jar is a fairly safe bet.

Maybe just a tad. :D

Oh well. Diamonds are transparent too.

LOL - I just remembered something Sundae Girl once did.

Plonk a bottle of Bailey's Irish cream and a bottle of massage oil on the table as soon as she get there ... "Well, that's the evening's entertainment sorted out..."

Errrmmmmm.... it might work when a girl does it. The phrase "crash and burn" springs to mind.

Well a bottle of baileys is just about every girls best friend isn't it?

The only problem with that is that fresh is underage isn't he? Likely his date is too. :(

Dude, the chicks point of view is great. Me, I'd order out from a nice place. You know, something like http://www.chefanthonysatlanta.com/ if you have something like it in your area. I wouldn't be ashamed to admit where it came from either. My skill level is self explanatory . The company is more important the who made the dinner, at least that's how I'd justify that.

I'd suggest making a one pot meal so that you don't have to attend to anything other than her once she arrives. There's nothing more sexy than watching a man who knows what he's doing in the kitchen, but you are honest that you don't, so I'd bring the chance for mistakes down as low as possible.

Cook a long slow chilli, or chicken in sauce, or sausage casserole or some such. You can sweat over the recipe all afternoon (packet and jar sauces are also handy!) and just put back on the heat ofr 5 minutes when you're ready to eat. Serve with rustic bread and a simple side salad - a bag of leaves if you like - and you'll come across as relaxed around food.

Zen I'm flattered that you remember that story! But that's Flint's date's job anyway - his is to provide the food.

Ali I thought you meant Fresh was underage for sexy games! I had to go back and reread it before I remembered American licencing laws.

Oh Fresh - airing out the room is great advice. But find a couple of good scented candles if you can afford the outlay. One vanilla, one chocolate. Or if you can get them, half a dozen scented tealights (they'll be cheaper). A straw poll suggests that there's nothing like candlelight to make a girl feel secure about her appearance, and the subtle scent of a sweetshop to make her feel at home.

Agreed...scented candles on some description, and a pre prepared meal that you can just reheat.

The bread n dip is a great starter.

I have exactly the same approach whenever I have guests coming over.

The pre-cook and re-heat idea is good, but be careful not to give yourselves food poisoning! When you re-heat get it well over boiling point for several minutes at least.

I'm going to disagree. Make something for her. Practice if you need to, but just be sure you have everything you need to accomplish it. Most girls appreciate it when you go out on a limb for them and you'll learn something valuable. Recipes are for people who can't cook, so use a recipe.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice casserole. Recipe right on the can of Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup. It's easy, but looks fabulous when done...I suggest a little red seasoning such as cajun on the chicken.

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.

A HA! So you admit it takes expert skill!

I also like the stir-fry. And I say: make it colorful. Get a red, a green, AND a yellow bell pepper, for instance. Presentation.

You could grill marinated pork chops, stir fry some veggies and throw the pork in (cut in strips) and serve over vermicelli.

I used to make lasagna a lot. Not so much any more. I think all the free time I had when I was single had something to do with it.

Anyway. It's still the best lasagna I've ever had. I made it for my wife when we were first dating. We've been married almost 15 years. Lasagna, garlic bread, and salad.

The secret to the lasagna is to use hot Italian sausage for the meat instead of hamburger or a mild sausage. She will be yours after that, and you'll have leftovers for a week.

ya got me. ;) Really it is pretty easy though. On the foreman, I usually let them sit on one side for 7-10 minutes, make the flip, let them go for another 5 and then make a center cut to check the color. I like them juicy on the outside but cooked all the way through. Yes, I'm anal retentive about making sure the grill lines go the same direction.

No word from Freshness, I wonder if he's imploding under all the advice. We still are missing some crucial info here to make our suggestions more poignant, if that's the word. To the point, there's a word for that, I just can't find it now.

Anyway, to the point: We need to know
has she been to your place before?
Is this a getting to know you date or is it really just an excuse for her to be at your place too drunk or tired or late to go home why don't I just stay here on your couch no you take my bed I'll sleep on the couch you don't need to sleep on the couch?
In any case you should make your house presentable, follow Reg.'s suggestion if she hasn't already been over there before, otherwise just make it clean, i.e. no dust bunnies, half eaten tuna sandwiches, etc. It shows respect for a person if you've cleaned up and hopefully showered, shaved, and brushed your teeth.

If you expect to get busy later in the evening, maybe you want to have just light fare, vegetable sticks, a nice dip, a few kinds of good cheese, crackers, and some chicken satay with peanut sauce.

The key thing as reg.joe points out is that it's about "her" and not about the chow. That means you'll have to spend a lot of time listening to her talk about her and make eye contact. A reminder, her eyes are located several inches above her boobs.

Good luck and have fun.

Not for long if [insert offensive statement here]

reading all of your recipes I note that you are all married men and not fledgling college students. Think back and remember the fledgling days. I think he's trying to do a little better than chips and dip and beer nuts. But just a little.

Yeah, I was gonna say if they are >20" above and she doesn't have an incredibly long neck, time to sneak out the back...

@ 3foot: pertinent?

No, I've just heard stories...

lol

I could (and did) do a stir fry or sautéed chicken breast in college. My first meal that I cooked for the future Mrs. Dallas was homemade egg rolls.

Do whatever you want, dude, but ... no garlic or onions, and you probably want to avoid broccoli.

I Make The Best Spaghetti

What's your point?

"Here, baby, I know what'll take that taste right out of your mouth . . .."

So a guy walks into a bar and says,
"Give me 10 shots of whiskey, I'm celebrating my first blowjob!"

So the bartender pours his shots, and he slams them all down, bam! bam! bam!

The bartender pours another and says "Here's one on the house, congratulations."

And the guy says "No thanks, if those didn't get the taste out of my mouth, nothing will."

For God's sake, put away all the porn.

"Keep those really easy recipes coming!" said sweetwater, the non-cook.

You might want to think about what she's doing while you are preparing the meal. Audience participation could make it more fun for her. Leave a carrot unpeeled or wine glasses empty so she can do something. And with both of you working in the kitchen it is bound to get cozy in there.

It's not just allergies. There may be religious avoidances or she maybe a vegetarian -both of which have many interpretations and followers who assume theirs is the only interpretation, so their dietary restrictions should be obvious. Also sometimes people think that they have told someone they're a veggie etc, when in fact they haven't. there's so much to get into at the start of a new relationship. It's a courtesy to ask/check and it eliminates one potential pitfall. What's to lose?

The Fresh is back.

So we met a week ago. The next day was a student org sponsored club party. She saw me there, remembered me from the day before and we had a good time. She was drunk, we made out, blah blah, no sex, I made sure she got home with her friends. Next couple days she let me know she wanted to get to know each other first, so I'm like yeah that's fine and we've seen each other every day since. Just to chill and hang out. It's been alright.

This dinner date came about when I was talking about the dining hall food and she said playfully (she lives in the dorms)

"oh so this is why we're hanging out because I can swipe you in?" and I said

"no you know it's more than that. You can come to my place and have a homecooked meal anytime."

"What are you gonna make me?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out"

"So I can look forward to dinner Sunday nite?"

"You absolutely can."

And I'm pretty good with a foreman grill myself. And no I don't know her allergies (though I think she'll tell me beforehand).

So basically, it's like working backwards into a relationship, I guess. I'm not sure if I want a relationship with her either, but I mean I do want the potential to be there---this meal will help.

I say if you are trying to impress the girl, do something out of the ordinary. Like this. And then sear a few scallops to throw on top and drizzle a little truffle oil over it. It will taste amazing and even if she doesn't like scallops, at least you will impress her with your perceived creativity. Besides, you can always serve the orzo without the scallops if you find she is a veggie. Or do vegetarians still eat seafood? I get confused on that.

Well if that's your approach, give her a $20 and tell her to pick up the ingredients for whatever she is going to cook for you on her way over.

Bwahahahahahaha

Excellent Zen - that's even better! I think you're the first to get that I was joking.

I forgot to add at the end of my post "...and then freak her wild like Smoove B"

Ah, if you have already mastered grilling (I agree with Jinx - it is an art subject to occasional mis-steps) then I'd go with the grilled chicken or fish, salad, bread. Easy but classy. Like me ;)

I know people are suggesting that you impress her with the food, but if you keep it SIMPLE you will have more time for her. The simpler the meal, the more you will both enjoy it.

I'm sure you'll have a great time anyway. You already know she finds you physically attractive. She has engineered a date in your rooms. Wash your cock.

Seconded.

If you're grilling, consider presentation

(link maybe slightly nsfw)

:eek: There goes another computer monitor.

Beware...women snoop.

Hide all your porn, stash the raincoats until needed and go through your medicine cabinet. No lice soap or nose hair clippers please. Go for extra cologne, combs, leave-on conditioner etc. Makes it look like you care about your appearance.

Look at your place like your mom would.

Add: lay out an artsy coffee table book and put the Executioner novels with the porn in your car truck.

Ahem. Not all women snoop.

But, you should load the medicine cabinet with ping pong balls, just in case. :lol: