Eating at home is much more intimate than eating at a restaurant. You can play your own music, set your own lighting, and prepare your own food. The act of cooking for someone is in itself an act of caring. You’re demonstrating that they are important to you because you are taking the time to feed them. If you haven’t done this before, don’t be nervous. Follow these simple steps to a memorable romantic meal.
Plan Ahead
If you plan ahead and get organized, you will have much more free time on the night. The first thing you need to consider is where you’re going to eat. Is this room or area presentable? Do you need to clean? Remember that your guest is likely to visit other rooms and so it’s probably best to clean the house.
Does your guest have any dietary requirement?. For example, are they vegetarian or do they have any allergies? If you don’t know, then check. This will save you a lot of time.
Next, it’s time to plan your menu. Decide whether you’re going for a traditional three courses or something more elaborate. Choose the main meal first and then plan around it. Look through cookery books or online for inspiration.
Keep It Simple
If you don’t cook often, it’s probably best to keep it simple. Don’t plan anything too elaborate. Wherever possible, prepare food in advance. For example, chop vegetables and place them in an air-tight container to be used on the night.
Consider using a tagine or a slow cooker so your meal can be cooking in advance. This will have the benefit of ensuring meat is tender. It will also allow your food to marinate in herbs and spices which will add to the flavor. There are lots of simple tagine recipes that are easy to follow. When your guest arrives, the food will be ready, and all you will need to do is serve it. For a simple side dish just add salad or bread.
Wine
When planning your food, don’t forget to select some wine. Decide whether you’re going to keep it simple or whether you intend to serve a different wine for each course. And don’t forget to decant. Websites such as http://www.wine.net/wine-decanter/ provide information on how to do this.
As a general rule of thumb, rose wines work well with cheesy dishes such as Roquefort, etc. White wines with fish dishes and white meat. Serve red wine with red meat. These are just general rules. Do your research to find the best pairings.
Dessert
When deciding on your dessert, think about the meal as a whole. If you’re serving a rich, heavy meal, then opt for a light dessert. Ice cream and sorbet are always well-received and take little preparation. They have the benefit of cleansing the palette. For a simple dessert make a fruit salad made with seasonal fruits.
And finally, choose a good filter coffee to serve at the end of the meal. Decide whether or not to include a cheese board. Again, this is simple to put together and can be prepared in advance with some bread, crackers, and fruit.
The good thing about cooking at home is that there are no rules. You have a blank canvas and can create whatever takes your fancy. Rules can be useful if you don’t know where to start. But know when to break them and to add your own flair.
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