This is a guest post by Janna LaRocco, a second year grad student at The University of Texas at Austin in Mechanical Engineering with a background in health and nutrition. You can contact her at j.larocco AT mail.utexas.edu

Congrats! You’ve finally worked up the courage to ask that hottie in your Calculus class out on a date—and the answer was an enthusiastic “YES!” You come home later that day to find a mailbox full of bills and a voicemail from your boss saying they just cut your hours at work. Believe it or not, things could be worse. Your date is not destined to dine on $0.89 chalupas, cinnamon twists, or any other delicacy containing the word “extreme” in the title.

A great alternative to expensive restaurant dinners is an inexpensive (and usually healthier) meal cooked at home. For a fraction of the cost you can entertain your date while showing off your culinary skills. Since more time and preparation go into homemade meals, it’ll show true sincerity and thought. If you’re not quite sure what to make, here are some extra simple and cheap meal ideas that are sure to impress.

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Poinsettia cocktail

Fill a champagne glass half full with cranberry juice and fill the other half with champagne, as the traditional recipe calls for.

I prefer to use prosecco—an Italian sparkling white wine. It’s usually less expensive and still tastes just as great! This drink is great to sip on right before serving up the main course.

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Chili

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 lb ground beef (could also use ground turkey)
½ onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes (I like to use Muir Glen’s Fire Roasted Crushed Tomatoes for this)
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 tablespoon chili powder
½ tablespoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste

Heat the olive oil over high heat in a heavy pot. Brown the meat until it’s cooked through, then add the onion and garlic and continue to cook. Add the tomatoes, beans, and seasonings and simmer on low heat for as long as an hour. If the consistency is too thick it can be thinned out with water or beer, which gives it an extra kick and great flavor. Also, don’t be afraid to taste the chili—if you want more spice then go for it!

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Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup white sugar (or ½ cup white, ½ cup brown)
1 egg, slightly beaten

Pre-heat oven to 350. Cream peanut butter and sugar well in a bowl by hand or with a mixer. Add the egg and mix until well incorporated. Roll about a tablespoon of dough into a small ball. Can roll balls in sugar (makes a crunchier, prettier cookie but also adds sugar) or not.

Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten dough lightly with fork. Bake for about 10 minutes…watch carefully because these should not be overbaked. Cool on cookie sheet for at least 5 minutes before removing. Couldn’t be easier!

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Helpful hints

• Tell your date to arrive about 15-30 minutes before your meal will be ready to eat. It leaves enough time to relax and chat before you start shoveling food in your mouth, and also gives your date a chance to see you adding the finishing touches to the meal. Use this time to show off those kitchen skills!
• Prepare some to-go containers for your date to bring home leftovers. Chances are there will be plenty of food to spare, which can serve as a reminder of a fabulous date. Your date will be thrilled to be taking home a delicious memento.
• Rent a fun movie. Red Box rents movies for just $1 per day and they’re located all over. Since you’re already in, might as well stay there and turn on something that’ll keep the mood lively and the laughs coming.
• Don’t stress! Cooking is a fun form of artistic expression. If the dessert burns in the oven or the entrée is too well done, don’t worry. Your date will understand and will appreciate your effort either way. We’ve all made unfortunate mistakes in the kitchen and can relate but the important thing is the thought that went into the date.