Relationships take work, and it is crucial to have some time alone together to keep the spark alive. Many of us have missed going out to bars and restaurants for a nice meal and a drink or two during the covid 19 lockdown. However, a night in can be just as enjoyable, so why not show your partner how much you care for them by organizing a dinner date at home. Here are some tips on how to prepare a romantic meal for your loved one.
The Table
The old traditions are usually the best, so create the ultimate date scenario by laying your dining table with your best cutlery and tableware. Set the scene with some tea light candles placed into pretty holders or a single large candlestick in the middle of the table. Set two places opposite each other so that you can gaze into your lover’s eyes as you talk and eat. Ensure you set the table with everything you require, such as wine glasses, an ice bucket, serving utensils, and a bottle opener so that neither of you has to keep leaving the table and distrusting the flow of the evening.
The Food
Peruse some recipe books or look online for dishes you can prepare for your meal. Plan this a few days in advance so that you don’t have to run around shops at the last minute.
Once you have decided what to make, do as much prep work as far in advance as the recipe allows. Desserts and some savory dishes can be kept in the refrigerator until required. Save time by chopping up vegetables with a knife sharpened on a whetstone so that it’s super-efficient, placing them in cold water, and storing them in the fridge.
Choose food that your partner loves or those with aphrodisiac qualities, such as fresh oysters or hot chilies that will set your partner’s loins alight. A light starter is the best option because you don’t want to feel bloated and lethargic during a romantic evening. A salad, bruschetta, or seafood cocktail is a perfect, light entree to the main meal.
The main meal can be anything you desire. Steak is always a favorite for a romantic date – just make sure it is cooked to your partner’s taste, well-seasoned and tender. Place bowls of fresh vegetables or salad on the table so you can both help yourselves (or each other) to them.
The dessert course can be as opulent and indulgent as possible. Chocolate has long been considered an aphrodisiac, especially for women – as have pistachio nuts, so if you want to create the ultimate sexy dessert, make a nutty chocolate extravaganza.
The Drink
If you both drink alcohol, you can start the night off with a glass of chilled champagne to relax you both and help you wind down after a busy day.
During the meal, you can enjoy sharing a bottle of wine. Ask your local wine merchant for a wine that will complement your menu and buy a couple of bottles. Store white and rose wine in the fridge and give it time to chill sufficiently before pouring. Red wine is best served at room temperature, so keep a bottle near the dining table. Use glasses appropriate to the drinks, and always taste a wine before pouring in case it has been corked.
After the meal, you may want to retire to the lounge and indulge in a glass of port or a coffee liqueur.
The Mood
A romantic atmosphere can be created to make you both feel relaxed, loved, and amorous. The lights should be dimmed or provided by candles which create a softer, more flattering light than fluorescent strip lights – so close the blinds, turn off the lights and let the candles work their magic.
A romantic meal should just be about the two of you without any distractions. Turn off the television, computer and set cell phones to vibrate. The only sound should be of a CD player softly playing romantic tunes and the sizzle of the medium-rare steaks cooking in the kitchen.
You can get yourself in a romantic mood before the date by having a long, luxuriant bubble bath and then dressing in a sexy outfit – one that will drive your partner wild with desire. Spritz on a musky scent and get ready for a night of good food, fine wine, and romance.
Preparing a romantic meal for your partner is one of the most intimate and heartfelt things you can do to show how much they mean to you. It is something you should do as much as possible to keep your love light shining.
