How to Cook for a Man

Cooking a meal for your partner is a great way to have a romantic evening together. Going the extra mile to cook the meal yourself will show that you really love and appreciate him. To ensure the meal goes well, make sure you have all the ingredients you need and give yourself plenty of time to cook the meal. Give the night a romantic atmosphere by lighting candles, setting the table, and choosing a great soundtrack.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Choosing a Menu

  1. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 1
    1
    Plan the evening for a time when you are both free. Ask your partner if he has a free evening in the next few weeks. Tell him that you would like to have him over for dinner. Try to choose a night where you will have the house to yourself.
    • Try to avoid having children or flatmates home, as this might ruin the romantic mood.
    • Weekends work well because you won’t have the time pressure of needing an early night before work the next day.
    • If you know that your partner is free on a certain date, you could write him a cute note inviting him for dinner and leave it on his pillow or in his letterbox.
    • If you want to surprise your partner, plan the evening for a time that you are scheduled to hang out or a time where you know he will be free.
  2. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 2
    2
    Ask him he what he likes to eat. The best way to know what someone likes to eat is to ask them. If he doesn’t give you a very clear answer, try to suggest a food group such as Asian, Turkish, or Mexican. If he responds positively to one of your suggestions, you can rest assured that a meal from that category will be a safe choice.[1]
    • If he still isn’t clear about what kind of food he likes, ask him what his favorite food is.
    • If you want to surprise him, make something that you have eaten together before. That way, you know he will like the meal. Ask in general conversation if he has any allergies.
  3. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 3
    3
    Ask him if there is anything he doesn't eat. This is important because preparing a meal that he doesn’t like will make you both feel awkward. When you invite him for dinner, take the opportunity to ask if there are any foods that he doesn’t like.[2]
    • Ask if he has any allergies. A trip to the emergency room because of an allergy isn’t going to be a fun way to end a romantic evening.
  4. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 4
    4
    Choose a recipe so you can make a shopping list. Look through a cookbook or search online for a recipe. Choose a recipe that is appropriate for your cooking skill level. It is better to cook something simple rather than have a cooking disaster whilst cooking something fancy. Choosing a recipe in advance will allow you to write a list before you go shopping.
    • If you are a beginner-intermediate cook, you could try making baked turkey wings or slow cooked chicken thighs, served with buttery mashed potatoes and a garden salad. Side dishes are great because they will help to bulk out the meal.
    • Consider making a dessert. Ice cream served with fresh fruit is an easy and delicious option. Apple crumble is another yummy option.
    • Check that the recipe serves at least 2 people as a main meal. It is always better to have too much food rather than not enough.
    • Avoid serving soup or salad as the main meal. Choose a more hearty meal instead.
  5. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 5
    5
    Choose a hearty Italian meal if you are stuck for ideas. If you are a still feeling unsure about what to make, a hearty Italian meal is likely to be a good option. Italian meals are easy to cook and will leave you feeling full. Both lasagne and spaghetti are easy and delicious options.[3]
    • If your partner can’t eat gluten, there are plenty of gluten-free pasta options you can use instead. These can be purchased in the health food section of your supermarket.
  6. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 6
    6
    Buy the food a few days before the date. Make a list of all the things you need. This will help you to remember the necessary ingredients when you go shopping. Buy any fresh vegetables or meat 1-2 days before you plan to make the meal. Cooking with fresh ingredients will make the meal taste its best.[4]
    • Either buy or borrow any cooking supplies you don’t have. Most recipes will require a sharp knife, saucepan, and measuring cups or spoons.
    • Store your meat and vegetables in the fridge until you are ready to use them.

Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Cooking the Meal

  1. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 7
    1
    Clean the kitchen surfaces so you have plenty of room to cook. Having plenty of space to prepare your meal will make the cooking process much more relaxing. Clear anything unnecessary off the bench and wipe it down to ensure that it is hygenic.[5]
    • Make sure to wash your hands before you start preparing the meal.
    • Use separate chopping boards and knives to chop vegetables and uncooked meat. This will stop germs from contaminating the vegetables.
  2. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 8
    2
    Begin with the dishes that require the longest cooking time. Some dishes, especially meat, require a long time in the oven. Look at your recipe and find out what dish takes the longest to cook. Prepare these components of the meal first so that they will be ready in time for your meal.[6]
    • Roasts, casseroles, and stews take several hours to cook. While these are in the oven, you will have time to prepare your side dishes.
    • If your dish is cooking on the stove, make sure to keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t burn or accidentally catch fire.
    • Check the cooking time for the longest dish. Try to plan for the entire meal to be cooked a few minutes before he arrives.
  3. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 9
    3
    Prepare the rest of your dishes. While your main dish is cooking in the oven or on the stove top, you will have time to make your side dishes. Once you have finished making your side dish, place it into a nice bowl with a serving spoon.[7]
    • Steamed vegetables and a potato salad are great accompaniments to a meat-based main dish.
    • Prepare the side dishes that don’t need to be kept warm first.
    • If you are making a dessert, consider how long it needs to cook. Aim for it to be done about 30 minutes after dinner.
  4. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 10
    4
    Keep the food warm until it is ready to be served. Try your best to finish cooking all your food at a similar time. However, since this isn’t always possible, use a warming drawer or oven to keep the dishes warm until they are ready to be eaten.[8]
    • Turn on your warming drawer and transfer the dishes there until dinner.
    • If you don’t have a warming drawer, use an oven instead. Set your oven to 200 °F (93 °C) and transfer your dishes onto a rack.
    • Always use ovenproof dishes when keeping food warm. Avoid leaving the food in the oven or warming drawer for more than 15 minutes as this will affect its quality.

Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Serving the Meal

  1. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 11
    1
    Set the table thoughtfully to create a romantic mood. Add some candles, a bouquet of flowers in a nice vase, or a fragrance diffuser. Set the table with all the plates and cutlery you will need for the evening. Don't forget dinner napkins and glasses!
    • If you will be placing hot dishes onto the table, make sure you have a serving board ready for the dish.
    • If you are cooking a meal from a specific country, you could theme your decorations to match the food. For example, if you are cooking nachos, you could use a colorful tablecloth and have a piñata on hand.
  2. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 12
    2
    Put some atmospheric music on. Choose some good music that you both like. Soft background music will work best as it will allow you to talk easily. Press play before dinner so that you have background music while you serve the meal.[9]
    • If you are unsure what to choose, pick a romantic playlist from a streaming service such as Youtube, Spotify, or Pandora.
  3. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 13
    3
    Greet your partner and bring the food to the table. When your partner arrives, warmly greet him and show him to the dinner table. Excuse yourself to go and get the food. Transfer all the dishes from the kitchen to the table, as well as salt and pepper.[10]
    • Use oven mitts when carrying hot dishes.
    • Make sure each dish has the necessary serving equipment, such as a carving knife, serving spoon, etc.
  4. Image titled Cook for a Man Step 14
    4
    Eat the meal together and enjoy your evening. You can now enjoy the results of your hard work and careful preparation. Take your time eating the meal and savor the romantic experience. Chat with your partner or simply enjoy your meal and listen to the background music.[11]
    • Maintain regular eye contact while you are eating to heighten the romantic mood.
    • If you want to start a conversation, start by asking about his day and then move onto other topics you both are interested in.

You Might Also Like

Cook For Your Girlfriend
How to
Cook For Your Girlfriend
How to
Melt Sugar
How to
Preheat an Oven
How to
Boil Water in the Microwave
How to
Reheat Chicken
How to
Brine Chicken Breast
How to
Break an Egg with One Hand
How to
Cook Steak in a Frying Pan
How to
Tell If Eggs Are Raw or Hard Boiled
Measure a Tablespoon
How to
Measure a Tablespoon
How to
Parboil Potatoes
How to
Defrost Dough
How to
Cook Pork Neckbones
How to
Cube Potatoes

References

  1. ↑ https://modernmrsdarcy.com/cooking-for-men-and-boys/
  2. ↑ https://modernmrsdarcy.com/cooking-for-men-and-boys/
  3. ↑ http://smilesandwich.com/2013/10/02/man-food/
  4. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/how-to-host-a-dinner-party
  5. ↑ https://theartofsimple.net/clean-as-you-go-managing-the-meal-prep-mess/
  6. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/how-to-host-a-dinner-party
  7. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/how-to-host-a-dinner-party
  8. ↑ https://food.unl.edu/keeping-foods-warm-while-other-foods-get-done
  9. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/how-to-host-a-dinner-party
  1. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/how-to-host-a-dinner-party
  2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/10-questions-to-ask-your-partner-at-the-dinner-table-219337

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 6,328 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 14
Updated: May 22, 2021
Views: 6,328
Categories: Basic Cooking Skills