I remember in the old days, dinner and a movie was a good date.  First, eat at a nice restaurant, then rush to the theater to catch a movie.  I had many good experiences with this traditional date combo, but unfortunately, I have had more bad experiences.  The cost of many paces were out of my price range, but I couldn’t take a date to McDonalds and expect a second date! The sheer terror of waiting for the bill, would I have enough cash left over for the movie?!?

Fortunately, I never came up short with money.  Then the movie, not really a good place to get to know someone new.  A good place to kiss, but not a place to develop intimacy and rapport.  Don’t get me started on “date movies”, boring! The funny thing is that most folk haven’t figured anything better in all these years!  And please stop yourself thinking “Netflix and Chilling” is somehow original.  It’s what you do when you got nothing!

You want to impress a date? Try cooking dinner and playing a game.  Of course, not just any dinner or any game will impress. You must make it special and entertaining. Let me give you a great example of a perfect night.  I will include a recipe for a great dinner and I will pair it with the perfect board or card game.  Yes, replace “Restaurant and a Movie” with “A Feast and a Game!”

Szechuan Shrimp

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons water

• 2 tablespoons ketchup

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon honey

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1/4 cup sliced green onions

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 12 ounces cooked shrimp, tails removed

Directions

1. In a bowl, stir together water, ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, honey, crushed red pepper, and ground ginger. Set aside.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in green onions and garlic; cook 30 seconds. Stir in shrimp and toss to coat with oil. Stir in sauce. Cook and stir until sauce is bubbly and thickened.

This killer recipe is perfectly paired with your favorite stir fry veggies and it is best to cook them separately. 

To choose a game to pair with a brilliant and spicy shrimp dish, I say a card game with an Asian feel.  Onitama is an elegant and simple game of martial tactics.  Onitama is a two player abstract strategy game where you take on the role of a Master, guiding your monk followers, in an attempt to defeat your opponent. Armed only with a handful of moves, your cunning, and your wits, have you the skill to be victorious?