So, do you want to impress your girlfriend (or wife) or really, really, impress a potential girlfriend (or wife!)? Don't bother with the old "let me take you out to dinner" stuff - "come to mine and I'll cook you dinner" will win every time!
Words of wisdom from a Mum to her sons when they were choosing their studies at school - "forget the IT, learn to cook instead and you'll never be without a girlfriend... ".
So, you want to cook to impress? Here's the way to do it with five simple rules:
1. Get organised
2. Keep it simple
3. Be prepared to cheat
4. Don't leave a mess in the kitchen (especially if you live with the recipient of your cookery masterclass)!
5. Always start with bubbles
Get organised
Planning is the most important part of any meal preparation, so be prepared to write lists, lots and lots of lists.
- You need a list for your menu
- You need a list of the ingredients you are going to need
- You need a list of what needs to be prepared when
Keep it simple
Get yourself a good cookbook - one with easy, step by step instructions. Forget Jamie Oliver, unless you really know what you are doing with the "bung a bit of this in" and then "wang a bit of that in" - it doesn't work. For reliability you can't beat Delia. You can also find good recipes here at the BBC or even look here for more of Aunty Cam's recommendations!
Be prepared to cheat
Every memorable meal contains a complicated bit, this is the bit that makes it 'special'. Don't do the complicated bit - cheat. If a recipe calls for a sauce flavoured with a hint of mustard and tarragon - go to the deli and buy the best you can afford. It's not worth the risk of everything going pear shaped just because of some tricky sauce!
Do not leave a mess in the kitchen (especially if you live with her)!
Whatever happens, all your efforts will be in vain if the lady you are trying to impress sees the kitchen looking like a bomb-site. The meal may be superb but if the kitchen's a tip you're going to be out of luck. If you can't manage to wash-up as you go along then, as a last desperate measure, shove the dirty pots and pans back in the cupboard, but do please remember to wash them out later and don't leave them to fester out of sight like you guys usually do with socks and underpants!
Greet the lady with a chilled glass of bubbles
Chill the bubbles (doesn't need to be Champers, a good Cava will suffice), chill the glasses, leave her with the bubbles, a magazine, some gentle music whilst you 'just finish off in the kitchen' - magic. By all means pour yourself a glass too, but don't drink it until you have finished the cooking! Many a good meal has been spoiled by the cook getting tipsy too soon - this is the voice of experience calling so pay attention!
Good luck!
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