Impress Your Date With These Easy Recipes

If you’re planning on cooking for a date night rather than going out, there are luckily many simple recipes that are certain to make your date swoon. While some foods may need a bit of a prep time, you’ll be able to pull your recipes together in a matter of hours. Keep in mind that these are just a few of the many, many possibilities, and you may want to try a different recipe if you’re in the mood for something completely different.

How we picked the recipes

We asked users of popular dating apps such as Mingle2 and HUD what their favorite foods were, and selected easy to make recipes that seem much harder to make than they are. With the following recipes, you’ll have no problem pleasing your date on the first date and beyond.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients:

1 pound of fettuccine noodles

4 cups of heavy cream

2 pounds of chicken

½ cup of butter

½ cup of Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

2 teaspoons of basil

1 teaspoon of garlic

1 egg

1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large pot with salted water, cook the noodles until al dente.

2. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, warm the cream. Add the butter, garlic, basil, and seasonings and whisk the mixture. When the cream is warm, pour the hot cream over the hot pasta and toss to combine. Sprinkle the pasta with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Beef and Sweet Potato Fajitas

Ingredients:

2 sweet potatoes

½ onion

3 tablespoons of vegetable oil

2 cloves of garlic

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 teaspoon of cumin

½ teaspoon of turmeric

1 lb of ground beef

2 cups of frozen corn

Salsa and sour cream

Directions:

1. Cook the potatoes in a pot with salted water for about 5 minutes or until they are cooked. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Mash the sweet potatoes with a fork.

2. Cut the onion into thin slices.

3. Cook the onions in the oil in a pan over medium heat until the onions are caramelized.

4. Add the garlic, spices, and meat and cook until the meat is brown. Add the onions and cook for 3 minutes.

5. Add the corn and mix the ingredients together.

6. Divide the fajita mix between two shallow bowls. Top the mix with salsa and sour cream and serve.

Chickpea Tacos

Ingredients:

1 can of black beans

3 cups of cooked or canned chickpeas

1 small onion

1 red pepper

1 jalapeño

3 tablespoons of cumin

3 tablespoons of chili powder

Salt and pepper

1 small head of lettuce

Sour cream

Guacamole

1 taco shell

Tostitos

Directions:

1. In a food processor, pulse the onion and jalapeño and add to a skillet along with the spices and cumin. Cook for 5 minutes.

2. Add the beans and cook for 2 minutes or until heated through.

3. Place the bean mixture onto a tortilla and top it with a little sour cream and a tablespoon of guacamole. Top the taco with a tosti tosti and serve.

Easy Salmon

Ingredients:

2 pounds of salmon fillet

1 lemon

2 cloves of garlic

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1 lemon

Directions:

1. Cut the lemon in half and rub the flesh of the lemon with the inside of the lemon halves. Rub the salmon fillet with the cloves of garlic and lemon rind.

2. Coat the salmon with the olive oil.

3. Place the salmon in a shallow oven dish and bake for 12-15 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Have other recipe favorites you’d like to share?

Share them with us in the comments! If you’re planning on cooking for a date night rather than going out, there are luckily many simple recipes that are certain to make …

A.venue Mall Restaurants

A.venue Mall Restaurants

The following is a list of restaurants with reviews, menus, and promos.

  • Artina Gallery Cafe MAKATI
    Unit 106-107 Ground Floor, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave. cor. Gen. Luna St.
  • Burger Avenue MAKATI
    Unit 110, Ground Level, A.Venue Mall, B. Valdez st. cor. Makati Ave.

    45 menu item(s)

  • Capone’s Bistro MAKATI
    2nd Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.
  • Club Bureau MAKATI
    Unit 118-120 Ground Level, A. Venue Mall, Makati Ave.
  • Fluke MAKATI
    Unit 116 Ground Floor, A.Venue Mall, Antel Lifestyle City, Makati Ave.

    103 menu item(s)

  • Focaccia Italian Restaurant MAKATI
    Unit 117 Ground Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.
  • Gasthof Cafe and Deli MAKATI
    Ground Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.
  • Naked Juice Bar MAKATI
    Ground Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.

    71 menu item(s)

  • Plate and Yummy Asian Restaurant MAKATI
    Unit 103 Ground Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.

    103 menu item(s)

  • Shin Dang Dong Restaurant MAKATI
    Unit 109 Ground Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.

    27 menu item(s)

  • Sicilian Express MAKATI
    Unit 101, Ground Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.
  • Suta Meshi MAKATI
    Unit 102 Ground Floor, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.

    100 menu item(s)

  • Texas BBQ Bar and Restaurant MAKATI
    M101 2nd Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.

    92 menu item(s)

  • Zenses Neo-Shanghai Cuisine MAKATI
    Ground Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.
  • Attica Bar and Lounge MAKATI
    Ground Level, A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave.
Food Blog Directory

Food Blog Directory

Our Awesome Planet
Slice of Manila’s Hidden Places. Food and Travel Secrets through Word-Of-Mouth. Shared through our Awesome Family Adventures.’ Our Awesome Planet is an ongoing documentary of Anton’s family adventures and Aidan’s life ever since birth, his daughter, and later use to promote the Philippines by documenting their awesome adventures, travels secrets, and culinary escapades. http://anton.blogs.com/awesome/
Pinoy Food Writer
Chun Valencia is a food enthusiast and wanderlust who usually enjoys writing and dabbles in photography whenever there is a chance. Her love and fascination for food dates back to her childhood days, and she was never picky with the dishes her mom would serve. http://www.pinoyfoodwriter.com/
Pinoy Life At Large
A foodie by heart, a writer by profession. Let me guide you through the maze of foodie heaven, where your P500 pesos can buy you great and satisfying sustenance for both your stomach and your spirit. Where all food that is Pinoy and pleasant can be found! http://arpeelazaro.com/
80 Breakfasts
Do you love the mornings? Get ideas on how to start your day right from 80 breakfasts. Written by Chichajo, her detailed blog gives creative and zesty ideas on making your “not so generic” ingredients; leftovers like a squash turned French toast; even make typical veggies to a tempting honey roasted carrot fennel. Each recipe comes with her personal stories that fill not only the tummy but hearts as well. http://80breakfasts.blogspot.com
Bogchinoypi
Do you get a knack out of street foods tripping or discover the rare delicacy of some hole in the wall restos? Bogchinoypi gives us a taste of thrill in finding cheap but good food offers. Reading this blog makes you try a resto or a food that may not be so popular or typical. Simply written and concise, this blog gives you a definite slice out of a good food trip! http://bogchinoypi.blogspot.com/
Our Taste of Life
Our Taste of Life, without the shadow of doubt is for families who love to discover new experiences and adventures. Written by Sherra, a dedicated mom and certified food enthusiast, shares her family’s thoughts, observations and insights on everything that they will be blessed with. This blog will definitely help you decide on the ones worth trying for your family’s next adventure. http://bernardosworld.blogspot.com
Southbound.ph
Southbound is a local blogazine (blog + magazine) that features restaurants, food and all other things you are likely to trip up in and around the south. Simple and well written, this blogazine makes you explore and search the hidden riches of the underrated South. http://southbound.ph/blog/
Pinoy Food & Other Cuisine :: Food PhotoBlog and Event
There is nothing better to start one’s day than reading food photoblog of Noemi Lardizabal-Dado and family. Pinoy Food Photoblog and Other Cuisine is enough to wipe away the last traces of sleep and get off to trip and experience Dado family’s new discoveries. Simple and brief plus awesome pictures posted, this blog is your reference for your next great food experience. http://pinoyfood.nimrodel.net
Dalanghita.com
Food, Fruit Juices and a Filipino Foodie. Ernesto Sonido Jr., AKA Juned and Estong, shares his memories and experiences about food and the Philippines. His detailed blog, Dalanghita.com, provides a not-so-ordinary videos and pictures that will surely makes one crave for food. Aside from food, this blog also features Ernesto as an entrepreneur with his fruit juice and concentrate making business under the brand name PICKFRESH. http://dalanghita.com
Davao Food Huntress
Hunting in Davao? Davao Food Huntress shares her adventures in hunting the right meal in the world’s largest city, Davao City. She started her food hunting career in her parent’s kitchen and later hunted in others. This blog surely makes you discover the best of Davao. http://davaosfoodhuntress.blogspot.com/
Memoirs of Aline
Looking for fresh food experience? Join Aline Ang with her food blog, Memoirs of Aline, where some of the most intriguing food and resto discoveries can be found. Memoirs of Aline delivers us a taste of excitement
Quezon City Restaurants

Quezon City Restaurants

The following is a list of restaurants with reviews, menus, and promos.

  • Ling Nam Noodle House QUEZON CITY
    765 Banaue St.
  • Gusi Restaurant QUEZON CITY
    40 Eugenio Lopez Sr. St. cor. Sgt. Esguerra Ave. South Triangle
  • NOMIXX RESTO BAR & GRILL QUEZON CITY
    10 Visayas Ave, Quezon City
  • Army Navy Burger + Burrito QUEZON CITY
    Unit 16, 2nd Floor SM City Skygarden, North Edsa,
  • Dencio’s QUEZON CITY
    24, E. Lopez St. (near Tomas Morato) Diliman

    72 menu item(s)

  • Reyes Barbecue QUEZON CITY
    2nd Level, U.P. Ayala Land Technohub Commonwealth Ave. Diliman
  • Dairy Queen QUEZON CITY
    3rd Level, Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Quezon City

    30 menu item(s)

  • Jona’s QUEZON CITY
    Upper Ground Floor, Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao
  • Ma Mon Luk QUEZON CITY
    408 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
  • Fleur de Lys QUEZON CITY
    F.L.P. Bldg. 305 Tomas Morato Avenue corner Sct. Madriñan
  • Mang Jimmy’s QUEZON CITY
    MWSS Compound, UP Diliman, Quezon City
  • Rodic’s Food Express QUEZON CITY
    Store No. 9, UP Diliman Shopping Mall
  • Shanghai Bistro QUEZON CITY
    Eastwood City Walk 2, Libis
  • Sangkalan Grill Restaurant QUEZON CITY
    Scout Albano St., Quezon City
  • Taberna Ocho QUEZON CITY
    Maginhawa St., Quezon City
Quezon City Restaurants

Bagnet

Menu

Item Name Description Size Price
Original Good for 2 170
Kare-Kareng Bagnet Good for 2 180
Bagnet Curry Good for 2 180
Spicy Ginataang Bagnet Good for 2 180
Binagoongang Bagnet Good for 2 180
Bagnet Sisig Good for 2 190
Item Name Description Size Price
Pork Ribs cooked slowly in low heat to create the ?tenderest? meat Good for 2 180
Item Name Description Size Price
Crispy Chicken deep fried in Bagnet oil Good for 2 170
Item Name Description Size Price
Ensaladang Talong 35
Item Name Description Size Price
Okra w/ Bagoong 35
Item Name Description Size Price
Bagoong Rice 30
Item Name Description Size Price
Plain Rice 20
Item Name Description Size Price
Frozen Buko Pandan 45
Pastillas 5
Item Name Description Size Price
Original Bagnet w/ rice and soup 100
Kare-Kare Bagnet w/ rice and soup 105
Curry Bagnet w/ rice and soup 105
Spicy Ginataan Bagnet w/ rice and soup 105
Binagoongan Bagnet w/ rice and soup 105
Sisig Bagnet w/ rice and soup 110
Pork Ribs 105
Crispy Chicken 100
Pork BBQ 60
Budget Meals add 10 for bagoong rice
Item Name Description Size Price
Softdrinks Coke 1.5 L 55
Softdrinks Coke 12 oz 25
Softdrinks Sprite 12 oz 25
Softdrinks Royal 12 oz 25
Nestea 25
Minute Maid 25
Viva Water 20
Powerade 35
Coffee Brewed 40
Coffee Instant 20
Item Name Description Size Price
San Mig Light 35
Pale Pilsen 35
Beer Bucket 5 + 1 180
restaurants

Makati Restaurants

The following is a list of restaurants with reviews, menus, and promos.

  • In Love With Sweets MAKATI
    G/F Security Bldg. 6797 Ayala Ave. corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City
  • Dairy Queen MAKATI
    4th Level, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati

    30 menu item(s)

  • Isshin MAKATI
    Pasay Road, Makati City
  • Café Atilano MAKATI
    Nicanor Garcia St. Makati City
  • Thien Duong MAKATI
    Lobby Level, Dusit Hotel Ayala Center, Makati City
  • Aberdeen Court MAKATI
    Great Eastern Hotel, 7842 Makati Ave.
  • Handlebar Bar & Grill MAKATI
    31 Polaris St. Bel-Air, Makati
  • Anonimo Veneziano MAKATI
    820 Leelin Bldg. Arnaiz Ave., Makati City
  • RaaN MAKATI
    122 Doña Consolacion Bldg. Jupiter St. Makati
  • Beer’s Paradise MAKATI
    Polaris corner Durban Streets, Makati
  • Mey Lin MAKATI
    138 Jupiter Building, Jupiter St., Makati
  • Cafe de Chine MAKATI
    Great Eastern Hotel 7842 Makati Ave.
  • Izakaya Kikufuji MAKATI
    2277 Pasong Tamo, Makati City
  • East Café MAKATI
    2/F Rustan’s Makati
  • Cheesecake, etc. MAKATI
    1st Level, Makati Executive Center, Leviste cor. Herrera Sts., Salcedo Village

    102 menu item(s)

Pancake House

Pancake House

I used to frequent Pancake House with my family when I was a kid. I’ve always liked their Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (P105) and Best Taco in Town (P58), which in my opinion is the BEST taco in town… or quite possibly even the country. It’s just so indescribably yummy with the crisp shredded lettuce, sweet ripe tomatoes, juicy ground beef, and cheese. This time, I’m the one who takes my kids to Pancake House and I still order more or less the same things.

We particularly like their Fort Bonifacio branch because it’s so bright and spacious. It’s always a cheerful, happy breakfast when we choose to troop here with kids in tow early in the morning. To be honest their pancakes aren’t really anything special. This isn’t to say they’re bad, they are just ordinary pancakes you can pretty much make at home with a good mix and some toppings.…

Shakeys

Shakeys

Menu

Item Name Description Size Price
Garlic Bread Loaf 75.00
Mojos ‘n’ Dip 85.00
Basket of Mojos 217.00
Calamari Crunch Platter 283.00
Wings ‘n’ Rings Platter 338.00
Captain’s Choice Platter 338.00
Item Name Description Size Price
Classic Spaghetti 105.00
Spaghetti Platter 255.00
Monster Spaghetti Meatballs Single Serving 148.00
Monster Spaghetti Meatballs Platter 387.00
Carbonara Supreme Single Serving 120.00
Carbonara Supreme Platter 273.00
Item Name Description Size Price
Mandarin Salad Solo 131.00
Mandarin Salad Family 224.00
Summer Salad (Choice of Greek, Chef’s Choice, Tuna Caesar) Solo 131.00
Summer Salad (Choice of Greek, Chef’s Choice, Tuna Caesar) Family 224.00
Shakey’s Salad 87.00
Caesar Salad 87.00
Item Name Description Size Price
Solo Pack 3pcs. chicken 224.00
Solo Pack 5pcs. chicken 359.00
Solo Pack 7pcs. chicken) 489.00
Buffalo Wings Solo Pack 6pcs. wings 183.00
Buffalo Wings Solo Pack 12pcs. wings 343.00
Buffalo Wings Solo Pack 18pcs. wings 500.00
Wholesome Combos Super Platter Meal 189.00
Wholesome Combos Super Platter Meal 128.00
Wholesome Combos Super Platter Meal 127.00
Wholesome Combos Super Platter Meal 118.00
Wholesome Combos Super Platter Meal 98.00
Chicken ‘n’ Rice 1pc. Chicken Meal 90.00
Chicken ‘n’ Rice 1pc. Chicken Meal 131.00
Ray Florence Reyes

Ray Florence Reyes

1. Laya in Antipolo: The idea of a 6-7 course meal prepared fresh and laid out just for you and your companions in a private and personal atmosphere makes you appreciate each and every bite. Plus you can walk around the place too in between courses as if it was like a corner of a 5-star resort reserved just for you.

2. Marcia Adams in Tagaytay: Marcia has shown that you do not need a view of the Taal lake to have a grand time in Tagaytay. What you need are: Simple food prepared exceptionally well, a Tuscan style setting where all the ingredients (except the meat) can be found and hand-picked from the garden, and a house full of open windows that faces the west and glows in nice colors as the sun sets.

3. Ma Mon Luk: An institution. There is a reason why it has lasted this long and it is because of the taste of its noodles, coupled with its very special siopao and siomai and secret sauce that you can use in any of their meals. This was a staple food for us when we were kids back in the early 90’s as we drove by Kamuning to get our Ma Mon Luk fix for our weekend stay in the province.

What would you have for your last meal?

Something close to home. My dad is my best friend, mentor, and also a foodie in his own right. He would occasionally grill his famous Rib-Eye And Lamb Chops Combo that goes well with your favorite steak sauce or mint jelly, or can even be eaten without it. If I had a last meal, this would definitely be it.

Tell us a bit about a memorable food trip experience.

If wine was part of food, then my trip to Napa valley and sampling various flight of wines from different vineyards was the experience of a lifetime. We headed out at 8:00 in the morning from Vallejo to Napa to figure out which of the vineyards would be best to try first. Going through the vineyards and walking into the tasting rooms of different families and companies who make wine changes the perception that wine is not for the snobbish and elite. Wine is for anyone who has a passion to explore the world and experience its many peculiarities.

Just like how every glass of wine is different no matter how much effort one tries to make every bottle the same as the one before, every experience, no matter how repetitive, will always have something new for anyone to discover. This wine trip was topped off with the best tasting steak and ribs in the Napa region: Rutherford Grill. They serve their own selection of wines from the valley as well. They did stress though, that you should never be limited to the old world way of thinking which wine goes well with which food. If you like wine to go with something, then no one should tell you that you are wrong as it is an experience that you should hold personally to yourself. This was actually the very trip that changed my outlook and perception that we always have to be hungry: hungry for challenging yourself, hungry for changing the world for the better, hungry for the next experience and adventure.

What was the best food/meal you’ve ever eaten? the worst?

Best: Gaudi’ in Serendra offers these prime ribs cut into strips, cooked rare, then you cook it into your own liking on a hot ceramic plate full of rock salts on top of your table. No need for sauce for this!

Worst: The Grilled Lamb in a Makati restaurant really disappointed me, and I am a lamb fellow. The meat was not cleaned well, it felt sandy and grainy, and it was pegged at a ridiculous price tag. At least it had big

seafood place

145 Fahrenheit

145 F is a steak and seafood place located in Il Terrazo Place in Tomas Morato Extension Quezon City. This is a fine dining place known for their superb steaks!!!

The steaks here don’t come cheap. Their Filet Mignon (P1,700+) is so good. Also their 145 Tomahawk Chop (P3,900+) is their most premium-cut, a 34 ounce rib eye. It is the most mouth watering and largest steaks I have ever seen!!! I even enjoyed my steak with its peppercorn sauce, the best!

They also have Chilean Sea Bass (P1,100+), lamb from New Zealand (P800+), Shrimp Pomodoro Pasta and salads. Since this is a Steak house, they also have wines.

They also have desserts, I love their Strawberry Triple (P260+) and I paired it with a cup of coffee. The servings are generous and the taste is just right.…