ODB_PE
I'm not an engineer, but I play one at work
Yes, bring the main ingredients. If you really want to kick some *** you can buy a high-end bagged salad (NO ICEBERG) and wash it and put it in a bowl before you go. Buy one of those fancy vinaigrette dressings. (NO RANCH) Some grated parmesan reggiano for the pasta and salad makes a heck of a difference (NO KRAFT) Beer is good but wine (NO WHITE ZINFANDEL OR BOONES) may be more beneficial. (higher %) Ask around for a simple red sauce recipe (NO RAGU)OK guys I'm all set for tomorrow. We are going to make baked ziti at her place tomorrow and a salad to go with it. So how does this work? If I am going to do the majority of the cooking does I assume this means I should to bring along the main ingredients? I will probably bring some beer too. I figure this should be a fun hands on thing to do together. We don't have any other plans after that so we'll see what happens. I don't want to get too full in case she wants to do it.
Don't discuss dessert, but DO bring dessert. Keep it as a surprise until after dinner. You can get those little "single serving" italian desserts at a lot of places (bakeries, better grocery stores): a piece of tiramisu, a cannoli, a piece of cake, etc. recommend two individual items for sharing or smearing on each other.
Do not bring anything by little debbie or sara lee. Those are fine for an office breakfast, but not for impressing.
All of this can be accomplished for relatively little $$ while exponentially increasing the quality and class of a home cooked meal.