How to Make Salsa and Guarantee a Second Date: Quick Win Wednesday

Level of Effort: Easy
Cost of Ingredients: $1.35
Nutrition Information: 76 calories, 4.5 g fat, 2 g protein, 2 g fiber, 8 g carbs

Before you laugh at my headline hear me out on this one. There are more benefits to knowing how to cook at college and university than just eating healthy.

What I noticed during my final year at university is cooking for a date is a fail-safe way to make a HUGE deposit in your date’s emotional bank account. And what you prepare doesn’t have to be over the top. The thought and effort are more than enough to make a lasting impression.

Comedian Chris Rock has my back on this. I’ll never forget this line from his stand-up routine…

I can’t recall the name of every girl I ever dated but I remember each and every one that cooked me a meal.

One dish you can easily master before sharing with a date is homemade salsa. Almost everyone loves fresh salsa; it’s hard to mess up, and making it gives you a chance to work on your chopping skills (the one area where you can speed up cooking once you get good at it).

Before you begin chopping, it’s good to know how to hold your chef’s knife so it works for (and not against) you. Here’s how a chef taught me.

> Wrap three fingers (from your pinkie to middle finger) around the handle.
> Place your index finger and thumb on either side of the handle.
> Lock them in like you’re gripping a guitar pick.

This gives you a good grip and your index finger and thumb can easily guide the blade from side-to-side without it slipping from your hands when wet.

You’re ready to begin! Believe me, your date will be impressed! Cheers!

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Fresh Homemade Salsa

Homemade salsa you can make in minutes.

Printable Recipe

MAKES: Salsa for two

Prep Time: 8 minutes Cook Time: none Total Time: 8 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 tomatoes ~ $0.68
1 green onion ~ $0.16
1 jalapeno pepper ~ $0.39
Handful of chopped fresh cilantro ~ $0.01
Juice of 1/2 lime (about 1/2 tbsp) ~ $0.08
1 tsp olive oil ~ $0.03
Salt and pepper ~ $0.00

HOW TO MAKE

Chop, tomatoes, green onion, jalapeno pepper (remove seeds) and cilantro into small pieces.
Mix in a bowl. Add lime juice and oil.
Season with salt and pepper. Mix again before serving.

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