What is your favorite thing to cook for women?

Great answer from Jon. I think you can't go wrong with chicken and pasta. There's a lot of different options for going with pasta, but it's also hard to screw up. You can also substitute chicken with fish. But it's definitely a safe play.

A breakfast of eggs benedict with real handmade hollandaise sauce is always a winner for me.

Spaghetti a la Puttanesca is a simple, yet tasty homemade sauce that requires minimal prep work. Here is the link to the recipe I use (http://uegvfs.blogspot.com/2009/07/not-all-local-but-hey-it-tastes-good.html).

If she shows up while you're cooking, the house will smell great, and she'll be impressed. Just down brown the garlic.

You can't go wrong with a great macaroni & cheese. (Please note, guys: a great macaroni & cheese does not come in a box, contains real cheese that you shred yourself, and costs quite a bit of money and time to prepare.)

Try this famous and popular recipe: http://www.post-gazette.com/food/20011115thanksj.asp

Vegetarians and carnivores alike will love it. You can use gluten free elbow macaroni and make it gluten free as well.

Trust me, it's always a hit. Unfortunately, everybody will want you to make it all the time.

My fiancee always enjoys when I make her some shrimp and slow-cooked grits, never instant. Good filling lunch or dinner.

But I'd say try and get her involved. Something that we do that a lot of people stay away from, but isn't really that complicated, is a risotto. Buying some exotic, wild mushrooms will fancy up the meal.

Photograzing let's you search with pictures and has tons of recipes from all over the web.

EASY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO COOK...

You can never go wrong with Italian, just limit the Garlic and the cheese. She'll appreciate that, trust me. Lots of flexibility here, mix and match, its quick and easy, and if you spice it up it will impress.

SALAD: Just don't use iceberg lettuce. Romaine for Ceasar, red or greenleaf for vinaigrettes. Try spinach, with strawberries and a light vinaigrette. Bonus? Make your own dressing. a little water, oil, white wine or fruit flavored vinegar, a touch of sugar to balance it out, and add extras for kick, like a little dijon mustard or soy sauce (not both). Spices, salt and pepper to taste.

PASTA: Choose your noodle. I like angel hair, its a little lighter, cooks well, holds more sauce. Or look for the fancier pastas in the gourmet aisle, most chain stores have them. You can find sun dried tomato, spinach flavor, whatever.

SAUCE: You can cheat here... Classico in the jar works just fine, but I have even used a store brand arrabiatta that was great too. Arrabiatta is a little spicier and more exotic. Add your own extra spices to taste.

ADD-INS: Mushrooms, chicken, shrimp, whatever. I like shrimp, its a little classy, easy to cook. Heat some oil over medium heat in a nonstick pan and cook just until they are pink. Get rid of the tails before to save the awkwardness during meal time.

DESSERT: Lite sorbet with a splash of liqueur... like mango with Cointreau or something. Garnish with fresh berries.

My dish is Rosemary lamb racks. It's super simple and easy to do. Get a french rack of lamb from a quality butcher, they are the ones that have the thin bones coming out, get some fresh rosemary and then down the center of the lamb insert a thin knife to cut a hole to stuff in the rosemary. Salt and pepper the whole thing then stick it on the bbq, first on high to sear it then move it to some indirect heat to cook. You can also cook some potatos in foil on the bbq at the same time, along with some Eggplant and zucchini. When it's all done remove and slice the lamb into pieces and serve.

A rack usually has 7 to 8 chops in it, 3 to 4 per person is fine even though it doesn't look like a lot. Serve with a small fresh salad and some bread and you are golden. Oddly enough lamb isn't a meat that is served too often so it's usually a treat for someone.

When cooking for a woman...especially a new woman...I always go with fish or lean meat, and vegetables. *Freshly caught stripper baked in tempura flakes, lemon butter and parmsean cheese is always a big hit. Marinated pork loin grilled to perfection never hurt either. Throw some vegatables in the mix to let her know that you take take of yourself.
Keep it lean, flavorful, and somewhat guilt free...this leaves room for wine and dessert...and she won't be self-conscious later when she takes her top off.

*If you don't have the ability to catch fresh fish...find a good fish market.

pan seared halibut

pat the fish dry with paper towel. season it with salt and pepper and place it in a skillet with hot olive oil. Cook for just a couple minutes, flip over, sear the other side, and pop it out. serve with risotto (the easiest thing in the world to make, though time consuming) and some grilled asparagus or brocolli. Toss in some good dry white wine and you're golden.

I have a better idea, get something from a 5 star.

Stick to comfort foods, but make a healthier version of it. While this doesn't apply here....I have adapted many comfort food recipes for my girl's mom who is diabetic and has celiac disease. They taste great and are much better for you.

I vote for a combo of 2 from above. Lobster mac and cheese with a nice side salad, and a bottle of wine.

My current favorite is Ahi Tuna with Pineapple Salsa. It's very simple, colorful, and delicious. Plus, you can present it like a pro on the plate. It's got tuna, fruit, veggies, and I chose to serve with a side of rice. I didn't end up grilling the pineapple and I added red bell pepper to the salsa for more visual appeal. Make sure you do the tuna last, it cooks very quickly!

And of course... a bottle of wine.

I used this recipe as more of a guideline, I didn't have a grill to work with so I pan seared the tuna.
Ahi Tuna with Pineapple Salsa

Enjoy!

My girlfriend's favorite recipe is a simple baked pasta.

1 box rigatoni pasta
*1/2 onion, chopped
*1/4 cup fresh chopped spinach
*1/2 jar tomato sauce (your choice of type)
*4 oz cheddar cheese
*4 oz mozzarella cheese

*I actually approximate these measurements using a standard measuring cup. I layer the ingredients in whatever ratios I prefer that night in the cup, filling it to the very top. That's the correct total amount, and I find that to be easier than painstakingly measuring every single ingredient.

Preheat the oven to 350 and cook the pasta (undercook it by about 1/3, since you'll be baking it all).

Mix in the measuring cup full of ingredients and the sauce, and pour into a baking pan sprayed with Pam or other nonstick spray.

Sprinkle a little bit of shredded cheese over the top, and bake for 1 hour. Pair with garlic bread and a simple salad (arugula and balsamic vinegar is simple but fantastic) for a great meal.

Also, check out www.SuperCook.com

It allows you to enter whatever ingredients you have in your kitchen at the time, and it will tell you what recipes you can make using what is already in the kitchen. You could even click on certain ingredients to emphasize them if you want to use something specific.

If you're good at cooking a steak, definitely go for that. I agree with James. Also, DK, I LOVE me some homemade mac and cheese, but if this is a first date or early dating scenario: the dairy could cause some, ahem, issues. And if your lady is health conscious, she might not love the caloric intake. I don't like seafood, so if it was me it would be a big FAIL if you made me some fish.

I think what it comes down to is figuring out what your lady really loves, and surprising her with that. That'll show her real thought and love went into the preparation.

simple elegant. spice it up. spaghetti squash. roasted tomatoes. salmon. vino (blanc). in-house ice cream.

Breakfast.

It doesn't really matter what, it's just one of the best acts of love to wake up and get a meal ready for someone else, especially if you can wake them up with it. Plus, it puts the rest of the day in a fabulous mood for both of you.

For the cooking inept, her favorite cereal, toast, Eggos and/or fruit in a bowl is just fine and has worked for me multiple times. For middle of the road, go for some eggs and pancakes, both which can be done without crazy ingredients or effort. They can easily be jazzed up with random foodstuffs that you already have like chocolate chips in the pancakes or onions and herbs into the eggs. For the more advanced, strata or quiche is what I would reco, the former cause I love bread, and the latter because I love pie. And who doesn't in either case?

For good recipes and techniques, check out:

http://www.americastestkitchentv.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Cook-Everything-Completely-Revised-Anniversary/dp/0764578650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260989280&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Im-Just-Here-Food-Version/dp/158479559X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260989377&sr=8-3

Cheers,

- Lou

No matter what, cook a light meal and always include an appropriate wine. Women do not want to eat and feel bloated, which in turn with make them feel less sexy and less apt to want to participate in physical contact.

So, small portions and less bulk.

If you prepare anything considered bite-sized, remember to cut them smaller to accommodate a lady's mouth.

I'm with Lou on the breakfast. Women like comfort food. I think chicken and fish is generally boring (except for a chicken pot pie, maybe). If you only cook occasionally, then it's better to do something more indulgent or comforting.

Also, making your own quick pasta sauce is fairly easy and can be impressive:

olive oil
kosher salt
cracked pepper
1 shredded carrot
2 cloves minced/chopped garlic
1 finely diced onion
1 28 ounce can of whole italian tomatoes
chicken stock
fresh thyme
fresh oregano
fresh basil

Heat pan
Add 1 tbsp olive oil
Add shredded carrot, cook 2 minutes
Add onion, cook about a minute, then add garlic, cook another 2-3 minutes(if using dry thyme/oregano, add here)
add pinch of salt
In a bowl, mash tomatoes w/ hands, then add to pan
Add 1/2 to 1 cup of stock
Add another pinch or two of salt/pepper to taste
Stir and bring to boil
Reduce to a simmer
Cook 15-45 minutes, depending on the thickness you like.
Add fresh basil for the last couple of minutes.

This is just off the top of my head and I vary it all the time. Have fun with it.

Toss some fresh ravioli in boiling water for a few minutes, then serve with your sauce. Top with fresh Parmigiano and a basil leaf.

Add some good italian bread, sliced thick, lightly toasted, then rubbed with fresh garlic and drizzled with olive oil.

To drink, a nice Chianti. A Ruffino from the market is fine. For non-alcoholic, Blood Orange Italian soda (from trader joes, target, or whole foods).

Start or finish with a simple baby greens salad w/ an olive oil/vinegar dressing.

For dessert, some gelato or sorbet.