You’ve done the coffee date, went out for drinks, caught a movie together… Now comes the big one: Dinner. Time to showcase your cooking skills – and seal the deal!

There is no doubt that if you get to this stage of dating, you’re quite keen on your companion, otherwise why invite them into your home and show off your culinary skills? With an at-home date, there is a huge chance that you’re going to get frisky, too. But the question is, will it happen right there on the kitchen floor – or in the boudoir later?

The first rule of ensuring you’ll get some fun under-the-cover action is to not cook anything too heavy. If you cook a heavy meal there is a high chance either you or your date will feel fatigued, bloated, or too full. NO ONE wants to feel bloated or fat whilst getting naked during the dating period. So with that in mind, you need to keep it light and simple.

When I say simple, the worst thing you can do is cook something you have never cooked before, or is too tricky. You shouldn’t be out of your depth, or need to follow a recipe to a T – it will stop you from engaging in conversation, and make you more nervous.

Just cook what you’re comfortable with. It is far better to impress with a simple delicious dish than something tricky or too time-consuming. Your date probably cares more about flowing conversation and great wine than anything else. Or is that just me?

So let’s get to it!  

Five Seriously Simple Meals That You Have Undoubtedly Cooked Before – And Are Bound To Impress:

Spaghetti In A Tomato-Based Sauce

Pasta is almost impossible to ruin, and you can pre-prepare the sauce in advance. Whilst some people think this is a cope out – I totally disagree.

Firstly, regardless if they veggie or meat lovers,  you can adapt the sauce youa re preparing – and you can enjoy flirting with your date by asking them to taste the sauce and perhaps, accidentally, making a slight mess on their face, which you will kindly offer to lick or kiss off.

It’s sexy, it’s flirty, it’s easy, and it rocks with red wine – remember to not overeat so you’re not too bloated!

Add a green salad and some bread with oil and balsamic as a side.

Tacos And Burritos (Who doesn’t love Mexican?!)

This is a great meal to whip up together. You concentrate on creating the meat or veggies into a sultry chill, and they can assist in grating the cheese, and slicing up the salad and sides, to compliment the meal.

It will help you see how you work as a team, and also know find out some of their likes and dislikes in food. Avocado-hater, spice lover, lactose intolerant, boring eater?! You’ll find it all out with Mexican.

*Hot Tip: Don’t go too spicy!  Spice lingers, spice stings – even in your erogenous zones! Don’t over-spice. Just don’t!

BBQ

If the weather is right and you have a divine backyard, terrace, balcony etc, then this is the way to go. Impress him or her with your grilling skills!!

*Note: If you don’t know how to grill, or have never tried to, skip this. Now is not the night to learn! Having a barbecue is great meal option if you want to impress, and let them sit and relax. Have a few sides already to go, tenderise and season the meat – then leave the salad to just before they arrive. This way you can pour a glass of wine for each other, finish off the salad whilst chatting casually, and then head out to the grilling area to begin preparations and  show off your skills!

Don’t forget to check what meat they enjoy, or perhaps try and mix of things – beef and reef rocks my world every time! That’s beef steak with prawns YUM!

Oh and don’t forget the condiments – a good set of condiments will certainly impress; in fact, it will make you look more cultured, mature, and with good taste.

Grilled Fish/Salmon And Veggies

If you have a feeling that tonight is a green light to intimacy, perhaps a light meal of fish and veggies is the way to go. What season is it? Head to the store and pick what vegetables are in season; they are guaranteed to be fresh and flavoursome.

Salmon increases your libido, and a lighter meal ensures that no-bloat or over-eating feeling. It’s simplistic and you can get creative with a side sauce or the veggies.

Risotto

Yeah, ok, another Italian dish. Then again, Italians are known to be the most romantic in the world!

Why risotto? It’s easy, and it’s a dish worth making with company. Risotto can be painfully boring to cook alone, but with a date it can be fun – and you can chat your way to it being perfect and ready. (Again, taste-testing together is always fun!)

Use this time to converse, and if they want to help – which everyone almost always asks – have some salad greens ready for them to create a salad.

“If you can survive how different you both make a salad, they are probably a keeper. “

Did you know that you can tell a lot about someone by how they handle a cooking and kitchen situation? Watch out for traits such as telling you how to slice a vegetable, over-dominating and not allowing you to help, or not talking whilst cooking (can’t multitask!). You will see many new traits in your date whilst working together in the kitchen. Watch and learn!

While these dishes may all seem basic, remember: Simplicity is key. You don’t want to create something you might just mess up, OR spend most of your time in the kitchen being totally unsociable. The idea of this date is to get to know each other more and casually converse whilst you prepare a delicious simple dish.Desserts? Have some vanilla bean ice-cream and strawberries or nice chocolates on hand – though honestly, if you have cooked a great meal and the conversation is flowing, you’re more than likely going to be making out  – and possibly heading to bedroom! – instead of thinking of dessert.

Still, dessert can be a great post-romp treat! Or… shall we take dessert to the bedroom? Chocolate sauce on each other’s body – YUM!

If the evening didn’t work out the way you would’ve liked it to,  a yawn and the mention of a super early start will get rid of your date quickly. If they don’t get the hint, offer some chamomile tea and reiterate the early start! And if they still don’t get it, be honest, you really have an early start – and just order them an UBER!

Finally, enjoy the evening! If you mess up your meal it’s ok – laugh it off and order some takeaway!

Powering success, happiness, and work-life balance.

^{This article was originally published on Rachelridgwell Blog and has been reposted on Connected Women with the permission of the author. 
Edited by Michelle Sarthou
Image credit: Shutterstock}

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