Organizing a romantic dinner at home can be much more special than dining out - not to mention cheaper. If you want to make it for someone, all you have to do is choose a menu and set the mood before dinner begins. Follow these steps to find out how to set up a romantic evening with your special someone.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: the Menu
Step 1. Choose what to drink
If you are planning a romantic dinner at home, the first thing to do is offer an opening drink. Wine is the most romantic choice so, if you and your partner usually drink it, go for a red or a white (or even more than one); choose according to the menu. Red wines usually go best with meat, while whites are more suited to summer evenings and are often paired with light dishes like shrimp and salads. If yours is a less formal evening, then some beer may be fine too.
- If you are thinking of getting beer, white wine, or any other drink that should be served cold, remember to put the bottles in the fridge in good time.
- Also prepare some water and lemon for a touch of class. Put a pitcher of cold water on the table. You don't want to have to run to the fridge to get water in the middle of dinner.
Step 2. Choose some simple appetizers
After pouring the aperitif, it would be good to be ready with some snacks. You won't want to spend the first hour sipping your drink while waiting for dinner to be ready. However, making dinner together, or at least part of it, is part of the romantic night at home, it wouldn't be much fun if you were both too hungry for some romance. Having some simple appetizers or some appetizers ready, starts your evening in the right way. Choose simple treats that are both fun and easy to eat with your hands while in the kitchen. Here are some ideas for a perfect snack for the occasion:
- Make bruschetta. All you need is some bread, garlic, olive oil, onion, tomato and a few other simple ingredients.
- If you're feeling imaginative, you can make deviled eggs the night before and then enjoy them while you wait.
- Make some guacamole (or buy it already made) and serve it accompanied with tortillas.
- For the summer months, prepare a very simple salad with four ingredients: melon, feta, sunflower seeds and mint.
- Hummus with pita and some fresh vegetables are always a hit.
- Although cheeses are usually served at the end of a meal, turn everything upside down and make cheese croutons. Gouda, brie and fontina are perfect cheeses for canapés.
Step 3. Choose the main course
The main course should be something simple that doesn't require too much preparation, or something you have already prepared before, at least partially, so that it takes about 45 minutes to finish preparing. If you are going to make pizza, start the evening with all the ingredients well laid out and with the pre-heated oven, so that the only thing left to do is arrange the ingredients on the pizza and put it in the oven. Here are a few more things to keep in mind when choosing the main course:
- A dish of stir-fried chicken and vegetables is a good candidate for a romantic dinner at home. Just remember to wash, marinate and bread the chicken first so that it doesn't take too long to prepare.
- Baked salmon with rice and Brussels sprouts is another great dish for your dinner at home.
- If you choose pasta instead, do not cook spaghetti or tagliatelle, take a short pasta such as tortellini or tortelloni which are easier to eat.
- Avoid preparing dishes that require too many ingredients and for which you will have to clean for a long time during or after dinner. You might like to make your mom's twelve-layer lasagna, but it would take too long, and the cooking would be a mess.
- Choose aphrodisiac foods for an even more romantic evening. Among these are oysters, almonds, basil and asparagus.
- Don't cook with too much garlic or onion, you may not feel all that romantic after dinner. The same rule also applies to foods that are too rich or creamy that will leave you feeling heavy.
- Avoid foods that are too difficult to eat, such as lobster or French onion soup. If you made a salad, make sure the lettuce is cut well so it doesn't slip out as you try to put it in your mouth.
- When deciding on your main course, you should think of something simple your partner can do to help you, even if you just cut celery and tomatoes or make the salad.
Step 4. Choose a simple dessert
If you've done a good job with wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a main course, chances are you don't have much room left in your stomach for dessert. Rather than making an elaborate dessert, grab some cupcakes from your local bakery or put some ice cream in the freezer and serve it with whipped cream and a handful of berries.
Step 5. You must have a contingency plan
Even if your romantic dinner at home goes smoothly, it's best to have a contingency plan just in case. This does not mean that you should have a whole second dinner ready, but that you must have a life preserver if something goes wrong. You may have your favorite sushi restaurant menu on hand, or a frozen pizza to take out of the freezer. If you find yourself stuck indoors with no emergency food and no other options you could screw it up.
Part 2 of 2: the Atmosphere
Step 1. Choose the place
You can always eat in the garden if you have one. It could be very romantic if the season is right and you have a nice garden without too many insects. You can also eat in the kitchen, but in this case, hurry up to clean everything and tidy up. If you can, choose a place where you don't usually eat so that it can be a special evening. If you have a particular table, which you never use, this is the right opportunity.
Step 2. Use the good dishes
Maybe you have a set of crystal glasses, decorated plates, embroidered napkins and silver cutlery that you never use because they are only for special occasions. Well, this is the chance, show them off and enjoy the romantic feeling they give you.
Step 3. Choose some romantic decorations
Flowers, rose petals and fragrance-free candles are for you; you have so many possibilities, you just need a little imagination. Remember that candles are essential for a romantic dinner: light some and place them on or near the table. Flowers, like roses which are very elegant, are also important. They look great on the table, whether it's something extravagant or simple. Just remember that you need to be able to see yourself across the table.
Having some jazz in the background or some romantic music creates atmosphere, as long as it is not a source of distraction
Step 4. Dress well
Before you start your dinner, take a shower and put on some perfume or cologne. Dress like you're going out for dinner. Wear something casual, but nice; you have to look fresh, but absolutely irresistible. Your partner will appreciate the effort and the evening will become even more special. Agree with your partner on what tone to tone for the evening so that both of you are great.
Step 5. Avoid distractions
Make a plan to avoid any distractions so that you and your partner can be free to enjoy each other's company and delicious dinner. If you have children, make sure they are not at home. Also, turn off phones, televisions, radios, and focus on the appointment. If there is a game that night and one or both of you are fans, perhaps it would be better to organize for another night, so as not to be distracted. Once all distractions have been eliminated, you can focus on your romantic evening.
Advice
- Make sure the house is nice and clean.
- A good idea is to eat, talk, let your partner take a shower, change clothes, and then go to bed to cuddle or watch a movie.
- Put on some slow, very low volume music, something that both of you enjoy.
- Unplug the phone or turn it off, there is nothing worse than a phone call to spoil the atmosphere.
- Dinner and table should be ready when the person you are sharing the evening with arrives.
- Dim the lights and light the candles before your mate arrives.
- Make sure the house smells good.
- Make sure there is a pleasant temperature in the house.
- There is always the likelihood that your partner will arrive early or late, so remember to call to see where they are.
- Get rid of any distractions, take the dog for a ride, feed any pet you have, put the kids in bed or at a friend's house or watch TV in the bedroom, then turn off the TV and computer.
- After dinner mess, leave it for the next day.
- Prepare the bedroom, dim the lights and light the candles there too; in case there is action to be taken. You may not feel like it if you have eaten too much.
