It’s more affordable and saves you the hassle of getting a babysitter.
We’ve spoken in the past about the positives associated with having a date night at home. It’s more affordable and saves you the hassle of getting a babysitter. Having some alone time as a couple is really important regardless of what stage of life you are in but when children come along it can feel out of your reach. There is something wonderful about connecting on a level that is more than being Mammy and Daddy. Having some date-night friendly recipes to hand is always a good idea.
If every weekend involves a bit of an at-home date night for you then you might be looking to take it up a notch. A glass of wine and a take away just might not make the cut if that is pretty standard in your house. We’ve found some gorgeous recipes that are really special. Dishes you might just treat yourself to at a restaurant. The novelty factor really injects some passion into the air and you can enjoy cooking brand new foods together before you sit down and enjoy them together.
Suss out a quick and easy dinner for the kids and get them off to sleep because tonight your home is a restaurant and it’s an adult only affair.
Garlic Prawns
If I see Garlic Prawns, Prawns Pil Pil or Gambas on a menu I literally have an inability to order anything else. It is one of my favourite treats to have at a restaurant. Juice succulent prawns sizzling in a garlic and chilli oil which is mopped up by tonnes of gorgeous bread. Heaven on a plate. I had no idea that I could actually make this at home relatively easily.
Meal Category Dinner
Ingredients
- 300g Raw King Prawns
- 200ml Olive Oil
- 1 Red Chilli De-Seeded and finely chopped
- 2 Cloves of garlic peeled and finely sliced
Difficulty Level Medium
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cooking Time 15 minutes
Instructions
Time needed: 20 minutes.
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Place the olive oil in a frying pan and heat until it is smoking.
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Add the prawns, garlic, chilli and a touch of salt and pepper.
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Move the prawns around until they are completely pink.
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Serve in a nice dish with plenty of torn bread for dunking. That’s it!
Related Recipes Prawn dim sum
Ramen
This is a favourite of ours at Wagamama. I had no idea it was so easy to make at home. A comforting broth, delicious noodles, vegetables, meat and perfectly soft-boiled eggs. Yes, please.
Meal Category: Dinner
Ingredients:
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- A thumb sized piece of ginger finely chopped
- 1 red chilli finely diced 600ml of chicken or vegetable stock 1 tablespoon olive oil
- A packet of dried noodles
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha Vegetables and meat of your choice (leftover chicken from a roast is great).
- I use shredded carrot, scallions and mushrooms.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Servings: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Instructions
- Heat the oil, add the veg and simmer for a couple of minutes on a low heat.
- Do not burn the garlic or it will taste bitter.
- Add the oil, soy sauce and the stock
- Add the packet of noodles and bring to the boil.
- Boil your eggs to desired consistency
- Place broth and noodles in the bowl, top with the meat, boiled eggs cut in half and any raw garnishes you like (I use chopped spring onion and chopped coriander).
Related Recipes: Vegan ramen
Pannacotta
This is something I would consider a really decadent dessert. It’s creamy, smooth and actually surprisingly easy to make.
Meal Category: Treat
Ingredients:
- 14g Gelatin
- 1.5 cups milk
- 4 cups cream
- Half a cup of sugar 1-2 teaspoon vanilla essence
Difficulty Level: Medium
Servings: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: Refrigerate for four hours.
Instructions:
- Put half a cup of milk into a bowl and dissolve the gelatin
- Heat the rest of the milk with the cream and sugar
- Remove from the heat, add the vanilla and the dissolved gelatin
- Pour the mixture into moulds or glasses, allow to cool and refrigerate for at least four hours
- Serve with fresh berries and fruit syrup of choice.
Related Recipes: Strawberry panna cotta
