It’s always nice to spend some quality time in the kitchen with the love of your life. After all, my mother always said, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Honestly, that saying really goes for myself. Feed me and I’ll love you forever. Whatever the long language, one thing is for certain, couples can always bond over a nice meal. Remember Disney’s animated movie, the Lady and the Tramp? There were definitely sparks flying over dinner between the two pups. Believe it or not, there’s romance in the kitchen. That’s only if you don’t try anything complicated on the stove. I like to keep it simple and delicious by going after the traditional or common recipes. After you master those with your partner, then you can get kinky in the kitchen. Not that kind of kinky. I’m actually talking about getting creative with a number of different flavors and seasoning.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro in the kitchen, the following recipes will help you connect.
Meatballs in Red Wine Sauce
INGREDIENTS
For the sauce:
Onions
Garlic
Olive oil
Tomato paste
Red wine
Beef Broth
Tomatoes
Fresh rosemary
Salt
Fresh ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Make the red wine sauce:
Dice some onions and mince garlic. Heat a large, deep pan over medium high heat. Sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil until very soft. Then stir in the tomato paste. Mix well. Minutes later pour in your wine and bring to a simmer. Add your tomatoes, broth, seasoning and anything extra you’d like to use. You should be having fun, so don’t feel obligated to stick to this script. Stir until there’s some consistency with the sauce. Use your best judgement.
Please note, this meal will be extra fun and romantic if you decide to make homemade meatballs with your significant other. That way you get to spend more time in the kitchen together. To cook the meatballs, you’ll need to shape them, using raw ground beef and later simmer over medium heat in the pan with the tomato sauce. Then boil your favorite pasta and eventually serve with your choice of a vegetable, as a side dish and a glass of red wine.
Tomato and Arugula Pizza
INGREDIENTS
Pizza dough, one pound at room temperature
Olive oil
Tomato sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Arugula
Cherry tomatoes
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat the oven to 550°F (or maximum oven temperature) for at least 30 minutes.
Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll or stretch it into a 10- to 12-inch circle. Brush the edges of the dough with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Spread the tomato sauce over the rest of the dough. Sprinkle with the cheese and top it off with the cherry tomatoes.
Bake the pizza until edges are lightly browned and cheese is bubbly and browned in spots.
