Hello,

First post on DS.

I'm looking for some advice as to what are some relatively easy-to-make meals that I can make for my girlfriend. She usually does all of the cooking but I want to show her that I'm making an effort as well.

I have learnt all of the basics from her since we have been together - even how to peel five potatoes in under half an hour - but I want to make something for her which looks like I've put a lot of hard work into it but which isn't as hard as it looks.

Any advice would be greatly helpful!

No-one to help?

You can make a nice pasta with a home made sauce. Just toss four tomatoes in a blander (2 servings), add a bit tomato puree, basil, onion, basilico vinegar and bland everything together. Bring it to a boil, toss it over your pasta and top it with some grated Grand Padano cheese. Find some decent wine to go with it, and I'm sure your girl will be delighted.

Appreciate your reply, Davor. I will attempt this. Any further suggestions are also appreciated.

Place chicken fillets in a dish pour over a jar of salsa hot or mild you decide. Grate cheese over the top. Pop in oven on 200c for 25 to 30 mins or until chicken is cooked through serve with a salad.

Sounds lovely, Aggie. I should be able to pull that off.

Similar idea. Hunters chicken. You could marinade it yourself with condiments and spices you have in your cupboard or buy a tin of ratatouille and pour that over.

Checkout the BBC site or just google to find recipies.


A basic bolognaise sauce (meat sauce / ragu). Will be good with pasta, make a lasagna, jacket spud.


Great over chips with cheese on top, although not the most impressive meal it should taste night on a Friday/Sat night infront of the telly.

Another chicken dish: Chicken with olives

Brown chicken thighs (normally allow 2 per person) in a pan over a medium heat, then add 3 teaspoons of dried thyme and 3-4 finely sliced cloves of garlic (or more if you're a garlic fan). Fry for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly - do not let the garlic burn!

Add about half a glass of white wine and allow to reduce for a couple of minutes, then add a tin of chopped tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook covered for about 30 minutes. Throw in some pitted black olives to taste (I like using marinated olives which adds a bit of extra depth to the flavour) and then cover and continue cooking for another 30 minutes. Serve with buttered tagliatelle.