Foods To Wow Your Missus With
There’s something undeniably attractive about a man who can walk into a kitchen and confidently make a meal that tastes good, but more importantly, feels thoughtful. There is truth to the saying, the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach! So if you're looking to level up your game, here are 20 dishes to learn that we know women would fall head over heels for if you knew how to make.
1. Roast Chicken
When it comes to meat, nothing tastes more nostalgic yet is more difficult to master than chicken. You likely enjoyed a roast chicken during many holidays and feasts growing up, but preparing it yourself as an adult can be intimidating. So when your man knows how to keep the skin crisp, the meat juicy, and the seasonings perfect, now that's attractive.
2. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs might sound obvious, but that’s exactly why it matters. If you can turn this simple dish, sometimes made from grocery store sauce, taste delicious, you've got a winning man by your side. It's familiar, satisfying, and easy to love when it's done well.
3. Steak with Pan Sauce
Women love a man who knows how to handle a good steak. And when they're able to demonstrate skills in heat control, resting time, and creating a simple but tasty pan sauce, it shows their cooking ability goes beyond just cooking meat.
4. Risotto
Risotto has a reputation for being difficult, but it’s really about patience and consistency. The texture should be creamy, not heavy, and the flavor should feel layered rather than overwhelming. It's the kind of dish that tells you a lot about your man; risotto's something to learn if you want to show you can put real care and effort into dinner.
5. Breakfast Omelet
A proper breakfast omelet sounds easy, but it's one of those basic skills that many people struggle to master. Men who can cook up one that's tender and flavorful early in the morning clearly know what they're doing. Besides, what's sweeter than waking up to a home-cooked meal?
6. Lasagna
Everyone loves lasagna for its comforting vibe, but making it is another story. This dish takes planning and careful preparation if you want to get it right. So when women find out their man knows how to nail a great lasagna dish, it shows they have an attention to detail and appreciate a challenge.
7. Tacos from Scratch
Tacos are much more appealing when they don’t taste like they came from a packet and a last-minute grocery run. When this is made at home, you can basically taste the love (which women can appreciate). This satisfying meal packs a punch of flavor with every bite, but mastering that balance of ingredients definitely takes time.
8. Salmon with Vegetables
This no-fuss dinner makes for a perfect weekday staple, which is why women will be wowed by a man who knows how to do it right. When the salmon is cooked so it's still flaky and tender without being dry, that's certainly deserving of applause.
9. Chicken Parmesan
This comfort dish makes you feel warm inside, but it's not the kind of dish you can make without putting some effort into it. A great chicken Parmesan needs to combine crispy breaded chicken with a good tomato sauce, melted cheese, and al dente pasta. Getting all those components right is a big task, so finding someone who can do that well doesn't go unnoticed.
10. Shrimp Scampi
For women who love pasta, there's nothing more romantic than getting cooked a homemade pasta dish by the man she loves. Shrimp scampi is a great dish for this because it feels a little more refined than your classic spaghetti and meatballs, but it's still approachable. If your man learns how to make this for you, that's true love.
11. Homemade Soup
A good homemade soup hits completely different from something poured out of a can. It's thoughtful, heartwarming, and feels especially considerate when it's made by the man you love. This kind of dish is usually prepared as a pick-me-up when you're sick or feeling down, so it's also a sign that he knows how to look after you.
12. Burgers
Plenty of men can grill burgers, but not all of them can make a really good one. There’s a difference between throwing meat on heat and building a burger that’s juicy, seasoned properly, and assembled with some sense. It's safe to say women find men who actually know what they're doing on a grill very attractive.
13. Stir-Fry
For a dish often made with leftovers in the fridge, it takes real skill and imagination to cook up a great stir-fry on a whim. For men who are able to, it demonstrates creativity and a solid knowledge of flavors to know what will work well together. It's something women can taste the moment they try their dish.
14. Mac and Cheese from Scratch
Kraft dinner satisfies your cravings if that straight-out-of-the-box taste is what you're looking for, but homemade mac and cheese is a different beast entirely. One bite is all you'll need to see if the chef knows what they're doing. And as a favorite food among many, we're certain most women would love it if their man knows how to make it.
15. Fried Rice
Fried rice is a great test of whether you understand flavor, texture, and restraint. It's a quick and easy meal you can whip up on any day of the week, but that also means it definitely should be in your recipe bank. It's one thing saying you know how to make it, but it's so much more attractive if you know how to do it well.
Christopher Alvarenga on Unsplash
16. Chili
Hearty, practical, and perfect for the fall and colder seasons, chili is a dish that warms you right up when you need a mood booster. That alone is exactly why men should learn how to make it! It's the perfect pick-me-up for your partner when she's feeling a bit down.
stephanie monfette on Unsplash
17. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
If your partner asks you to make this on a whim, the most attractive thing you can do is say, "coming right up." This classic pairing is one that many people crave every so often, so it's best if you feel prepared to make it when called for it. It never hurts to have a stack of comforting recipes in your arsenal!
18. Pasta Carbonara
Another great pasta dish that's always good to have in your back pocket is pasta carbonara. This beloved dish is simple to make, but it does come down to mastering the timing with confidence. After all, one wrong move and your eggs will become scrambled instead of silky!
19. Fajitas
Sometimes, you want your dinner to feel a bit more sociable, messy, and exciting. Fajitas are the ultimate dish for that, and they're great for a romantic dinner at home. It's also something that's not served up as commonly, so we're certain your partner will love it when you wow her with this stunning plate of vegetables and meat.
Hybrid Storytellers on Unsplash
20. Dessert You Can Actually Pull Off
It doesn't matter if it's cake, cookies, or a pie, women find men who know how to bake anything extremely attractive. There's just something so sweet and considerate about the act, and it likely comes from baked goods being such a kind gesture to make for someone else.
