why cook at home?

Once upon a time in a land called college, I spent freshman weekend nights spooning only my pillow. My keg cup runneth over from sexually frustrated tears. Being in culinary school you would think that cooking at home would be very prevalent but it wasn’t. So one night while working on a group project, A study break was sorely needed so I fixed up this ridiculous Mac & Cheese from random dorm store ingredients. This hottie, who hadn't even asked where I was from, was suddenly smitten with a freshman. I would love to tell you she used me for my body. She did. But really she used me for my prowess, my culinary prowess. We got a C on our project in baking and pastry 101, and it could have been on how “100 years in solitude changed my life and narrowed the focus on human society,during the fall of the roman empire” for all that mattered, we were cooking together nearly every night, the project was last on our minds. My GPA did suffer, but my game rose to a 4.0. Being a Bachelor in the kitchen has served me, an average dude, well ever since. Man or woman, gay or straight, married or single, all should Cook. Here are 5 Reason why!

#1 Cheaper than a restaurant
Dating is hard enough on the ego; spare your poor wallet. I know that when courting a woman we as men shell out quite the bit of cash from time to time, and hell We’re in a recession, damn it! A more perfect excuse to skip Chez Bleu Boule there could not be. Do you really want to mortgage a kidney to pay for a meal when the waiter reciting the specials is really talking smack to your face in French, and or slipping your date his number. This has happened, damn you Laurent, sorry i digress...

#2 You’re already home
Your date begins and ends (after breakfast hopefully) in your house of iniquity. I say this in my used car sales man voice, “WORRY no more about awkward cliché post-date nightcap invitations.” You have all the time in the world to build a connection in the comfort of your own home. The best part is the bedroom is close. It’s even closer if you live in a studio, among the few benefits of living in that over priced of a shoebox. Just make sure the roommate is not around if this is a first attempt at cooking at home for that special someone.

#3 Connection through Collaboration
The object of any date is to build a connection. Whether you seek a soul mate or booty call, you need that spark. Involve your date in the cooking process, all from asking favorite foods, meals, childhood memories about ice cream, find out a few details. Get them emotionally invested in the meal, not helps your game out when you pull out his or her favorite recipe or your adaption of it. Together you create something beautiful while stirring a pot over a hot stove, I mean that is pretty hot in its self. This way your date will be comfortable with your presence when you bust a move.

#4 let there be WINE
I read somewhere that the more alcohol you drink, the less clothing you wear. I’m still running field tests so stay tuned. What I do know is that drinks, especially fine wines, can turn a swanky meal into a raw deal. Being a bachelor in the kitchen puts the power into your hands. You decide what pairs best with your grub and how much you both care to indulge. Have fun with this… find a specialty cocktail to start, then get into the wine and maybe a great French Press coffee drink to end, you are the mix master, or skip all that and just drink an ultra light beer.

#5 You’re DESSERT
This should be self-explanatory. It’s the culmination of the meal you slaved over. At this point, you have established yourself as a “keeper.” No doubt you were a charming host that titillated your date’s senses. all of them… Pounce, tiger, pounce! If that didn’t work the chocolate cake recipe at the end will work and is super simple!

2 cups boiling water

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

2 1/4 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method:

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 - 9 inch round cake pans. In medium bowl, pour boiling water over cocoa, and whisk until smooth. Let mixture cool. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

2.In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at time, then stir in vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Spread batter evenly between the 3 prepared pans.

3.Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool.

4. Frost how you like it, you can buy some great premade frosting, and then maybe dress it up with a few fresh berries, i mean just an idea