Untie your aprons and shake out your hair, it’s time for the men in your life to step into the kitchen and explore their culinary skills. National Men Make Dinner Day is celebrated the first Thursday of November dating back to 2001 and is a great way to introduce something different and fun for dinner. Let’s face it, there are some days you just can’t be bothered to cook and that’s ok! Let this November 7th be a break for you and an opportunity for someone in your life to put the chef’s hat on or try something new.

National Men Make Dinner Day was created with three intentions: creating an encouraging environment for men to try cooking, helping men to enjoy cooking, and implementing a break for women. On a real note, it’s the 21st century, we know both men and women can cook. So instead of thinking of this day as a backward way to get men in the kitchen, treat it as what it was intended to be, an excuse to bring fun into cooking. Whether it’s your partner, family member, or friend, invite them over and make an activity of it. You propose the guidelines for the meal and go from there. So stop here, send this to the men in your life, and enjoy the surprise!

Now, here are the rules and how to make this night a special memory for the women in your life.

1. Planning the menu.

This step might seem over the top, after all, it’s just dinner, right? Yes, it’s just dinner but why not romanticize the experience? It can be as simple as repurposing the chore chart for the night or jotting each course down on a Post-it. Think of an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert. Don’t stress, appetizers can be anything from salads to cheese plates, and picking a cold option can help minimize cooking time. The main course must have at least four ingredients and requires cooking with one cooking utensil other than a fork. Don’t cheat yourself by going straight to the frozen section, you’re more capable than you think. Pastas, stews, and soups are great ways to make flavorful one-pot meals to help with cleanup. Dessert is the best and simplest part. Before running straight toward the flour, there are a lot of ways to create fresh and delicious treats without ever touching the oven. Premade angel food cake with fresh cream and fruit or ice cream with their favorite toppings is never too simple to be amazing. But brownie mixes or cupcakes are also just as easy and delicious.

2. Shopping.

Once you have your menu down, it’s time to hit the grocery store. Make a list of all the ingredients you don’t have at home and you’ll hit the ground running. Don’t overthink it while you’re there, and don’t be afraid to change things up if you get inspired or see something you know she’ll love and appreciate.

3. The meal.

Now that you have all your ingredients and your plan, pull out your recipe. If your recipe has a lot of vegetables or spices that need to be measured or chopped it’s always a good idea to do the prep before using any heat to prevent accidentally burning or overcooking the meal. Additionally, if you’re cooking with meat it’s good to have a clean sink. Load the dishwasher or drying rack before you start so you have a clean surface and prevent cross-contamination with ingredients like chicken or fish. Cleaning as you go is a vital part of the process. While something simmers, wash a cutting board or a bowl here and there so that when you’re finished, the mess is minimal.

4. Enjoying the process.

This is an activity for you and her. If you already enjoy cooking, perfect! If not, that’s okay, it’s good to do new things that make us uncomfortable. Play your favorite music in the background or listen to a podcast as long as it won’t distract you from the open flame on the stove.

There you have it! You’ve successfully done something thoughtful for a woman you love and yourself. Follow these easy steps and make the women in your life feel appreciated while challenging your culinary skills and giving yourself a fun tactile activity. There are endless ways to make an ordinary day more fun, and this could be the beginning of a new hobby or tradition in your life.

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