Winter Night Dinner Ideas for Romantic Days

You need

• 2 tbsp popcorn kernels
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt
• optional: butter, cinnamon-sugar

Method

1. Heat oil and 2–3 kernels in a lidded pan until they pop.
2. Add the rest, cover, shake until popping slows.
3. Tip out fast so it doesn't burn.
4. Season while hot.

You need

• 150g pasta
• 1 garlic clove
• splash cream or cream cheese
• handful peas or spinach
• parmesan
• salt, pepper

Method

1. Cook pasta in just enough salted water that it mostly absorbs.
2. Stir in garlic, cream and greens in the last 2 minutes.
3. Add parmesan and a splash of pasta water to loosen.
4. Season and serve.

You need

• cheeses
• cured meat or olives
• bread or crackers
• something sweet (grapes, jam)
• something pickled

Method

1. Aim for soft, hard and tangy cheeses.
2. Add a salty, a sweet and a sharp thing.
3. Spread it on a board so it looks generous.
4. Open something nice to drink.

You need

• 1 onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 2–4 eggs
• bread to serve

Method

1. Soften chopped onion and garlic in oil.
2. Add spices, then tomatoes; simmer ~10 min until thick.
3. Make wells, crack in the eggs, cover and cook to your liking.
4. Serve straight from the pan with bread.

You need

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• thumb ginger
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 can tomatoes or coconut milk
• rice to serve

Method

1. Soften onion, garlic and ginger; add spices for 30 sec.
2. Add lentils, tomatoes and ~2 cups water.
3. Simmer ~25 min until soft and thick, stirring now and then.
4. Season and serve over rice.

You need

• 1 tortilla
• grated cheese
• optional: beans, leftover veg, salsa

Method

1. Fill half the tortilla with cheese and any extras, fold over.
2. Dry-fry on medium until golden and melting, ~2 min a side.
3. Cut into wedges.
4. Dip in salsa or yogurt.