4 Date Night Cooking Ideas

If you’re asking us, one of the best date night gifts you can give is cooking up a special meal you love. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, a birthday, an anniversary or “just because”, we’re here to help with 4 tasty date night cooking ideas you need to try! 

 

If you’re simply celebrating you and having that self-love night of dreams then don’t worry, these date night cooking ideas will serve you just as much. So stick on your favourite playlist and pour yourself a drink while we guide you through our favourite occasion meals…

 

 

#1. STEAK & SIDES

 

What you’ll need for this date night meal idea:

 

Salt

Pepper

Steak of choice (fillet, sirloin, rib-eye etc.)

Sauce of choice (peppercorn, red wine, garlic butter etc.)

Sides of choice (veg, salad, chips, macaroni cheese etc.)

 

Method:

 

This recipe really is “what it says on the tin”. Simply pick your steak from the supermarket or local butchers, then pick your favourite sides and accompanying sauce. 

 

To cook your steak it’ll depend on the cut. The preferred way of cooking a steak is to fry it, but make sure you don’t over-do it or it’ll be tough. 

 

For a fillet steak, usually 3.5 minutes each side is enough. For a sirloin, try 2.5 minutes each side. Once cooked to your liking leave the steak to rest for 5 minutes while you plate up your sides.

 

Finish with your sauce of choice and enjoy this delicious date night meal idea!

 

 

#2. FISH TACOS

 

What you’ll need for this date night meal idea:

 

Salt

Pepper

Radishes 

Avocado sliced

Soft tortilla tacos

Shredded lettuce

Red onion thinly sliced

Fish taco sauce (mayo, sour cream, lime juice)

White fish (cod or halibut work nicely)

Chili powder (enough to cover the fish)

 

Method:

 

Step 1: Cover your choice of fish in chili powder and sit to the side. Meanwhile, mix the shredded lettuce with enough fish taco sauce to thinly coat but not soak.

 

Step 2: Heat a frying pan with 1 tbsp olive oil to a medium heat. Add your fish and cook for 2 minutes either side - if this isn’t enough, give it another 1 minute per side.

 

Step 3: Warm your tortilla tacos according to the packet instructions. 

 

Step 4: Place everything on the table, assemble and enjoy!

 

 

#3. MUSHROOM SPAGHETTI

 

What you’ll need for this date night meal idea:

 

Salt

Garlic

Pepper

Mushrooms

Mascarpone

Dry spaghetti pasta

Optional: spinach and parmesan cheese

 

Method:

 

Step 1: Add your dry pasta to boiling water with a pinch of salt and cook according to packet instructions.

 

Step 2: In a frying pan or wok, add 1 tbsp oil and fry your mushrooms, chopped garlic, salt and pepper. Try not to stir too often or your mushrooms will release lots of liquid.

 

Step 3: After your mushrooms are nearly cooked, add a whole tub of mascarpone. If you’re using spinach then add this here too.

 

Step 4: Once your pasta is cooked, add it to the mushroom sauce, along with some of the pasta water to loosen. Add some grated parmesan, salt and pepper and voila!

 

 

#4. VEGAN CHILLI (by BBC Good Food)

 

What you’ll need for this date night meal idea:

 

Tomato puree

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery sticks, chopped

1 red pepper, cut into chunks

400g kidney beans, drained

400g can of black beans, drained

2x 400g cans of chopped tomatoes

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

Seasoning: salt, garlic, cumin, pepper, paprika, oregano and chili powder

 

Lime wedges, guacamole, rice and coriander to serve

 

Method:

 

Step 1: Heat your oven to 180 degrees (fan). Put your chopped sweet potato in a roasting tin with 2 tbsp oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp ground cumin. Give everything a good mix, add salt and pepper and cook for 25 mins.

 

Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery. Cook for 8-10 minutes then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Add a sprinkle of paprika, cumin, salt and pepper and squeeze of tomato puree. 

 

Step 3: Add the red pepper, chopped tomatoes and 200ml water. Bring the chilli to a boil, then simmer for 20 mins. Tip in the beans and cook for another 10 mins before adding the roasted sweet potato. 

 

Step 4: Season to taste and serve with a wedge of lime, guacamole, rice and a sprinkle of coriander. Bon appetit, date night cooking ideas brought to life! 

 

If you’ve tried all of the above date night cooking ideas and you're on the hunt for something new, check out our 'Easy Student Meals' blog, or our high protein recipes by Jess Tedds.

 

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