Spice Things Up

There are days when you really don't want to go out. Cooking at home can be fun and it is cheaper per plate than going to a restaurant. Even if you are a less then skilled chef you can still whip up something delicious with your sweetie by your side, whether you just started dating or have lived together for a while.

• Pick your recipe. You can make favorites, look for new recipes to try on websites like allrecipes or recipezaar or even pick up America's Test Kitchen's Cooking for Two, great recipes that are already proportioned for two people.
• Check your cabinets. You don't want to be stuck half way through a recipe and realize you are short something. Make a grocery run if you need something.
• Assign tasks and give each other elbow room if possible. One chopping veggies on one end of the counter and one at the stove keeps you from bumping into each other over and over again. Unlike you like the bumping that gives you the opportunity to steal kisses, of course. Or take it outside and fire up the grill.
• Get out the fancy plates! Whether you actually have fancy plates or not (we don't), ditch the paper plates (wasteful anyway) for grown up flatware i.e the glass/ceramic ones.
• Serve it up pretty. Picture pretty. Don't just slap it hodge podge on the plate.
• Light the candles. You will be surprised how fancy it can be even with a few mix matched candles.
• Eat. Talk. Laugh. Enjoy.

Have you ever done a stay in date night? What did you cook?