[Turkish Pickle]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Pizza. Delivered.

honestly my plan is to cook, and if i mess that up greatly pull the super cheesy "well i failed but i delivered on the italian promise haha" card

Originally Posted by Kelse92

If its a date, she would probably appreciate salmon or chicken on alfredo pasta. Side of something green.

Originally Posted by andrewmr

Unless you know she likes salmon, I'd go with chicken.

For a totally different approach..... how about some tricolor tortellini. Pick the stuffing that you think she might like most. Perhaps even a couple different flavors and let her pick.

And as you said, a nice green salad.

Most important, stop by your local place that has the best Tiramisu for after dinner.

Originally Posted by FuzzyPeaches

Like others said, I'd go with chicken, marinated in Italian dressing if you have time. I also used to add some sun-dried tomatoes and a little bit of broccoli to the alfredo sauce to give it a little color.

so chicken sounds like a better idea it seems, will look out for that. thanks!

Originally Posted by Rmtt

Well since I'm of Italian descent...I couldn't sit this one out.

Chicken Marsala. It's a quick dish that can be as easy or complex as you want to make it. Look at all the options online.

Even if she's not Italian...I'm sure she would enjoy it.

I always stayed away from fish with anyone until I had actually seen them order it when out...after that I knew it would be okay.

the thing about fish makes sense - chicken marsala sounds good but looking at recipes i think that's for a later time

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

I think I agree here. I was trying to think of something easy. I would not do the Alfredo.

Another easy option is Chicken Milanese - also known as fried chicken cutlets with a nice salad with some shaved parm and a lemon olive oil dressing. And fresh garlic bread is really easy.

ooo chicken milanese sounds delicious!

Originally Posted by JP10

I'm sitting this one out man. I'm a fan of Italian food, but it is most likely the type of food I eat least of. Every now and again I crave it, but not often haha. Agree w/ the other comments regarding the salmon. It's easy to mess up, not difficult by any means but when I first prepared it I botched it a few times. You have to consider the aroma in the place if it's for a date. Don't want that joint smelling fishy! Chicks love a classic chicken Parmesan though. Easy to make just throw some pasta underneath, doctor up that sauce and you're good to go!

true - forgot the smell factor of fish. chicken parm sounds like an easy to make, hard to fail option

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

A tombstone pizza sprinkled with roofies.

I kid.

I typically kept a handful of meals in my arsenal for quick and easy dinners. None of which are Italian (aside from the marinade) but I'll share anyway.

1. Chicken marinated in Italian dressing. I usually marinate the chicken for at least 24 hours, so this requires some prepping. For sides, I usually go with a fresh salad, some rice, and garlic bread. Kick on the grill Med-Hi heat, once the temp is above 375 but not over 450, 4 minutes each side and it should be perfect. I still cook this a few times a month for myself.

2. Grilled filet mignon or New York Strip. Super easy. Set the meat out and let it get room temp. Add generous Kosher salt and ground black pepper to each side of the steak. Kick on the grill (I use gas for ease, I'm a bachelor; not a professional chef - the fact that I'm cooking for them and they aren't getting McDonald's already puts me over the top.) high heat. Once the grill is to temp, seer for 2 minutes on high heat, then lower the heat to Med-Hi and rotate (not flip) 45 degrees (this makes nice even black lines); cook for 3 minutes and flip. Keep the heat the same and after 2 minutes rotate 45 degrees. At this temperature, another minute will be rare, another minute will be medium rare, another minute will be medium......if she wants it cooked beyond medium; kick her ass out and eat it your damn self and be glad she is gone. She would have most likely covered it in ketchup anyway.

3. If you want to get her involved - this is only for girlfriend material. I have only actually cooked with 4 women my entire life - 2 were wives, one is a really close friend and the other is the current girlfriend of 3 years. Marinade chicken in Italian dressing. Marinade steak in either Alegro (if you don't know, just go get some - everything is delicious in this shit - burgers, steaks, chicken, pork, etc.) or sometimes I mix a combination of Worcestershire sauce, Soy sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, and a 20 oz. bottle of coke. Cut up red/green peppers and onions into 2" X 2" squares, the meat also needs to be in 2" X 2" squares for uniformity - style points....she'll notice. Throw all the peppers and onions into a bowl, add olive oil, then add kosher salt and ground black pepper. Either have metal skewer sticks or make sure you soak some bamboo sticks in water at least an hour or so before they make it to the grill. Once everything is marinated and ready to go, skewer that shit up. Fire up the grill. I recommend doing separate skewers for just chicken and just steak. This way if she likes her steak less or more cooked than the chicken, you don't end up with dry ass chicken. This is the meal you throw at them when you want them to follow you around like a lost puppy. Sides: rice, salad and garlic bread is always a staple.

Play on young pickle and let us know how it goes.

re: the third part, we'll see how that goes. I'll text you once this posts - grilling some steaks sounds great but student apartment lifestyle means no grill

Originally Posted by Joekerr

While I like Italian food well enough, I strangely don't make a ton at home. What about some breaded veal (just some flour, egg, and bread crumbs after you beat your meat (pun intended)), quick fry and serve with some lemon juice and salt? Sides of roast potato and veggie of your choice.

Btw, easiest and delicious roast potatoes are those baby / minature potatoes - just cut each in bite size pieces (about three to four pieces depending on size), put them in a bowl and toss with some olive oil, and reasonably liberal amounts of kosher salt and dried rosemary. Spread on a cookie sheet and cook in the oven for 45 minutes at 425 F. It might be 400F, can't remember, but they are fricking delicious. Check em, once they have a bit of a crust, they are good to come out.

Good luck!

I like the potato idea, think I'll go with chicken parm, potatos and some form of greens (thinking brussel sprouts or asparagus, neither of which i know how to make but either i love to enjoy).

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Shrimp a'la vodka. (Prep time 10 minutes. Cooking time 30 minutes.)

Pan sear shrimp in olive oil.
Add cracked red pepper to taste and flash with vodka.

In a separate pan sautee chopped mushrooms, shallots, red onions. When completely soft, VERY SLOWLY pour in heavy whipping cream and let simmer until nice and buttery in flavor. (You will not need to add butter...the creme will release the flavor from cooking.)

Add the shrimp to the sauce. Pour over pasta. I recommend Fettuccine.

Enjoy with 2016 or 2017 Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay.

Tiramisu for dessert with a nice port.

Prepare for copious amounts of hot sex.

You're welcome.

my man coming in clutch! that sounds delicious, will most likely go with this or the chicken parm/potato/greens idea

Originally Posted by FuriouslyFast

I'm Italian & great cook & it's even a hobby of mine. I got no tag? Huge fail.

If you have cooking ability, make chicken parm. Use fresh basil & fresh mozzarella!!!! Double bonus if you make your own sauce. I have a good recipe at home for the sauce

me and a friend tried making fresh pesto last year, that took a long time to do and I don't have a food processor so that might be hard :I