No matter if it’s your first date or your fiftieth date, putting together an impressive night for someone you care about never goes out of style. Guy, girl, friend, mom (“mom dates” have been my most common date night thus far), it doesn’t matter! Just think: you set a nice table, light some candles, and prep an amazing meal – complete with appetizer and dessert. Sounds great, right? Well, it is!
The only problem? It can be hard to find common-ground-recipes that are incredibly delicious, total stand-outs, and not overly complicated…all at the same time.
Lucky for you, we have something up our sleeve!
For the perfect date night, we’re thinking an Arugula Salad that is light, refreshing, and lemony. Then, Gigi’s Pasta All Vodka which is SO amazing that it will blow your guest away with just one bite. And finally, for the grand finale, Two-Ingredient Chocolate Strawberries that are way too easy to be that good.
Of course, a romantic date night wouldn’t be complete without some bubbles to sip on (if you prefer that kind of thing…which, who doesn’t?). Our personal recommendations would either be Moët & Chandon, for those of us with a more generous budget, or Avaline’s Sparkling. Both great options for adding that final touch onto the evening. And why not serve your bubbles of choice (or red wine, if you prefer) in West Elm’s Horizon Glasses? Talk about a final touch!
Ina Garten’s Arugula with Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb fresh arugula
For the Lemon Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from two lemons)
- 1/2 cup good olive oil
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 lb chunk very good Parmesan (or buy pre-shaved fresh Parmesan)
Instructions
- If the arugula has roots attached, cut them off. Fill the sink with cold water and toss the arugula for a few minutes to clean. Spin-dry. the leaves and place them in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the arugula to moisten. Toss well and place the salad on individual plates.
- With a very sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, if you are opting to shave the Parmesan yourself, shave the Parmesan into large shards and arrange them onto the arugula.
Gigi Hadid’s Spicy Alla Vodka Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 small cloves of garlic, diced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp vodka
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 lb shells pasta
- 2 tbsp butter, plus more if needed
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- basil, chopped to serve
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil, garlic and onion over medium-high heat and cook until soft. Add tomato paste and cook until it appears caramelized and darker in color.
- Add in the heavy cream. Add in the vodka and cook through until incorporated and the sauce seems less liquid-y.
- Add in the red pepper flakes. If you like things spicy, add more!
- Keep stirring until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Remove sauce from the heat.
- Cook the pasta separately, and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining. We make our pasta homemade, but Gigi uses shells or Orecchiette in her original recipe. It's up to you!
- Add in the butter. Stir over a medium heat til the butter has melted and the sauce is “sauccyyyy”, Gigi notes.
- Add pasta – and the pasta water – to the sauce. Add parmesan cheese and stir. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese and basil to serve.
Two-Ingredient Chocolate Strawberries
Ingredients
- melting chocolate (the chocolate should look like discs)
- strawberries
Instructions
- Place your chocolate into a microwavable-safe bowl and microwave slowly in small increments, 20-30 seconds at a time, stirring in between until fully melted.
- Once the chocolate is smooth, dip and rotate the strawberries in the chocolate and place them back onto the lined baking sheet. Work quickly, as the chocolate will start to harden again in the bowl.
- After all of the strawberries have been coated, put them into the fridge for about 30 minutes.
