Table of Contents
Introduction 8
Notes on Organization and Equipment 10
Chapter 1 Attraction 15
Corn and Chicken Tacos 18
Spicy Jalapeño Icebreaker Margarita 20
Vegetarian Cavatappi Salad with Pea Tendrils 24
Blind Date Teriyaki Salmon 27
Flaky Fruit Tart 28
Ned's Spaghetti & Meatballs 31
Love at First Steak with Balsamic Reduction 37
Last-Minute Cacio e Pepe Bucatini 38
Maple Blackberry Mojito 40
Third Date Pizza 45
Night-In Chocolate Bark 48
Morning After Avocado Toast 53
Perfect Eggs Four Ways 54
Chapter 2 Dating 59
Cheese Board with Candied Pecans 62
Ginger Mint Julep 65
Antipasto Party Skewers 66
Charred Broccoli Frittata 71
Smashed Roast Potatoes 72
Sesame Shrimp Puffs with Sweet Chili Sauce 73
Italian Shakshuka 74
All-Season Cookie Party 78
Fizzy Rosé Paloma 82
Ginger Garlic Finger Chicken 85
Chicken and Potato Hand Pies 88
Crabcake Burgers with Spicy Aioli 91
Barbecue Blackberry Cobbler 92
Strawberry Tahini Blondies 95
Spicy Red Pepper and Feta Dip 96
Potluck Provençal Pasta Salad 98
Mozzarella Monkey Bread 102
Chapter 3 Disappointment 105
Bright Arugula Gimlet 110
Vegan Lemon and Broccoli Bow Ties 113
Massaged Kale Caesar 116
El Diablo Tequila Cocktail 118
Jumbo Shrimp "Ceviche" 121
Freezer Cookie Dough Bites 124
Tex-Mex Migas 126
Savory French Toast 129
Kitchen Sink Nachos with Retried Black Beans 130
Ned's Favorite Sear-and-Blast Steak 135
Ariel's Favorite Lemon Salmon Piccata 136
Kiss & Make Up Flourless Chocolate Cake 139
Chapter 4 Stability 141
Netflix and Chili 144
Tuna Niçoise Dinner Salad 147
Milanese Chicken Cutlets 150
Dad's Banana Bread, Adapted from The Silver Palate 152
Pecan-Stuffed Pork Loin 155
Fresh Herb Risotto 156
Buttery Mashed Potatoes 157
Mediterranean Whole Red Snapper 159
Strawberry Mint White Sangria 160
California Waldorf Salad 161
Pavlova with Citrus Salad 162
Cranberry Brie Ring 167
Moscow Mule Punch 168
Sage Butter Roast Chicken 171
Parmesan and Pomegranate Brussels Sprout Salad 172
Tiramisu Strawberry Trifle 175
Chapter 5 Commitment 177
Nonno's Lamb Ragu 180
Confetti Tres Leches 182
Chocolate Soufflé 186
Chicken What a Catch-iatore 190
Pineapple Daiquiri 193
Cauliflower Steaks with Herby Tahini Vinaigrette 195
Thai Yellow Curry 196
Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps 199
Ned's Famous Homemade Bread 201
Halloumi Fajitas 204
Charred Vegetables with Whipped Buttermilk 207
Spaghetti with Creamy Poblano 208
Afterword 210
Appendix: From Scratch Basics 212
Homemade Spicy Pickles 213
Teriyaki Sauce 214
Basil Pesto 214
Pizza Dough 214
Marinara Sauce 215
Fig Jam 215
Spicy Aioli 215
Dijon Dressing 215
Pie Crust 216
Whipped Cream 216
Simple Syrup 216
Acknowledgments 217
Recipes by Type 218
Index 220