When it comes to having a successful date night, food can play a crucial role for many reasons. Cooking is an activity you can do with your partner or for them, and it's something that can set the tone—and mood—for the rest of the evening. With the right ingredients and recipes, you can create an intimate atmosphere that will leave you both feeling satisfied and ready for the romance. Here are a few delicious date night recipes that are guaranteed to please.
Bruschetta
Let's say you've met up for the night, conversations are flowing, and you need an easy appetizer packed with flavor. Bruschetta is a classic Italian starter that consists of toasted bread with a variety of flavorful ingredients; for tonight, we're going with tomato bruschetta.
What you’ll need:
- 1 baguette
- 3-4 rip tomatoes
- ½ cup of fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Prepare your oven to 400 degrees F and slice the bread into 1/2-inch thick slices. In the meantime, your partner can mix the olive oil with the minced garlic in a small bowl and brush the mixture over the slices of bread. They can then pop the bread in the oven, and bake it until it is lightly toasted and crisp.
While the bread is toasting, prepare the tomato topping. In a medium bowl, mix together the diced tomatoes, chopped basil, salt, and black pepper.
Hot tip: Want to spice things up even more? Add a sliced, spicy chili pepper into the mix. If heat is synonymous with passion, chilis will certainly intensify your romantic mood. Hotter peppers contain more capsaicin—a natural chemical that may boost testosterone and increase libido.
Once your bread is golden, remove it from the oven, let it cool for a minute or two, then spread the tomato topping on top. Enjoy and serve immediately!
Mint Mojito
Pairing the garlicky bruschetta with a mint mojito can help keep your mouths fresh and kissable. Mojitos are a welcomed classic and super simple to make. All you need is:
1 and ½ ounces of white rum
½ cup club soda
2 tablespoons white sugar, or as desired
½ medium lime
10 fresh mint leaves
1 cup ice cubes
First, use a muddler to crush the mint leaves and one lime wedge in a glass. Once the juices are (literally) flowing, add the rest of the lime & sugar, and muddle some more. Without straining, add in the ice, then pour over the rum & club soda. Gently stir, take a little sip, and add sugar to taste.
Prefer a mocktail? Omit the rum, or replace it with your favorite limeade!
Creamy Mushroom Risotto
Risotto is a classic Italian dish that’s perfect for a romantic night in. The creamy texture of this dish is guaranteed to please your taste buds, while earthy ingredients create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Talk about setting the mood.
To make this dish, you’ll need arborio rice, mushrooms, onion, garlic, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. To start, sauté the onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil until they’re translucent. Add the mushrooms and cook until they’re tender. Next, add the Arborio rice and cook until it’s slightly toasted. Slowly add the chicken broth, stirring constantly until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
Have you been head chef thus far? Have your partner take the final step: stir in the parmesan cheese and heavy cream to bring this dish over the edge.
We know that the heavy cream and cheesiness of this dish might not sit right with everyone, which is why GOGO Digestive Enzymes can literally save the day—take two capsules before you meal so you can both enjoy your handiwork and not suffer the digestive consequences (like gas & bloating) later on.
Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa
This light and refreshing dish is perfect for a warm summer evening. This salmon is as easy as it is impressive, and it's packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which can help boost your mood and reduce stress.
You'll need fresh salmon filets, mango, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Start by seasoning the salmon with salt, then bake, grill, pan fry, or air fry until it's cooked to your preference. While the salmon is cooking, prepare the mango salsa by combining diced mango, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Because this is so easy to prepare, you get to spend more time with your date.
Once the salmon is done, take it out and let it cool for a few minutes, then serve on a plate and top it with your salsa. To make it extra special, garnish with saffron for a little earthier flavor that goes well with the sweet acidity of the salsa. Besides its anti-inflammatory benefits, saffron has also been shown to increase libido in women and boost testosterone in men, making it a natural aphrodisiac.
Chocolate Lava Cake
No romantic dinner is complete without a decadent dessert, and chocolate lava cake is a classic choice that's sure to impress. This rich, gooey cake is perfect for sharing—plus, the deep chocolate flavor gets the serotonin pumping for a true happy ending.
To make this dessert, you'll need flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, butter, and chocolate chips. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, and sugar in a bowl, and then whisk in eggs and melted butter until the batter is smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into greased ramekins. Bake the cakes (400 degrees F) until they're set on the outside but still gooey in the center. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream, and some sliced, fresh strawberries—a natural aphrodisiac that pairs perfectly with rich chocolate.
With these date night recipes, it's simple to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere that will get you both excited. These recipes range from light & fresh to rich & hearty, guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds and set the mood for a romantic night in.
