Top 10 Meals Every Woman Wishes You Would Make

Elaborate gestures have their place in the pantheon of romance, but sometimes nothing is more effective than something simple and honest, like cooking her a meal.

Get your hands dirty, pull up your sleeves, and whip her up the meal she's always wanted to eat—the one made by you. The food-making magicians at Food52 have got you with these ten magical recipes that are sure to impress, no matter how many fire alarms you set off in the process.

10. Kale Salad

Kale salad is essentially catnip for women. This one's full of flavor, with anchovies giving it a salty punch. Serve it up and brag about how tenderly you massaged the kale. Get the recipe for Kale and Anchovy Salad at Food52.

9. Bread

Baking bread probably freaks you out. Don't worry—it freaks some of us out, too. But, for this easy recipe, all you need to do is measure your ingredients, let them sit over night, and bake—no kneading required. (Not that she needs to know it was so easy.) Get the recipe for No-Knead Country Bread at Food52.

8. Potato Gratin

All you really need to know about this potato dish is that it's French and it's what you should serve next to a steak, which we'll get to later. What, you thought you could just plate up a hunk of meat and call it day? Player, please. Get the recipe for Potatoes au Gratin at Food52.

7. Scrambled Eggs

If you can make toast, fry up some bacon, and master this recipe, you can orchestrate an impressive weekend breakfast without much effort. And really, there are few things less attractive than dry, brown, rubbery scrambled eggs. Just promise us you won't be asking girls at the bar how they like their eggs; you're better than that. Get the recipe for Soft Scrambled Eggs at Food52.

6. French Toast

Listen. You need to be able to make French toast. And this one's damn good. Just don't forget the maple syrup, and try not to make too many dumb jokes about other ways to enjoy whipped cream. Get the recipe for Bell-Less, Whistle-Less, Damn Good French Toast at Food52.

5. Pancakes

You know how every girl obsessed over that "Banana Pancakes" song? Yeah, we think it's annoying, too. But there's no denying the appeal of a man flipping pancakes. These ones use yogurt, which you probably have in your fridge already. Get the recipe for Farm Pancakes on Food52.

4. Chocolate Cake

Do we really need to spell this one out for you? Women love chocolate cake. Master this recipe, and they might love you, too. Get the recipe for Chocolate Dump-It Cake at Food52.

3. Roast Chicken

This recipe will give you the confidence to ask a girl over at the last minute— it's stupid simple, it's foolproof, and you can catch up over a glass of wine while the chicken takes care of itself in the oven. Plus, it's healthy, so it pairs well with a salad—which saves room for dessert. Get the recipe for Barbara Kafka's Simplest Roast Chicken at Food52.

2. Sugar Steak with Bourbon

This is a good one to keep in your back pocket for Valentine's Day, but it's just as perfect for a summer barbecue. Go ahead—show off your grilling skills. Get the recipe for Sugar Steak with Bourbon at Food52.

1. Spaghetti Carbonara

Carbonara is sexy food. It's rich and creamy, it's Italian, and it'll impress any date without making you sweat. Get the recipe for Spaghetti Carbonara at Food52.

(source: complex.com)