A romantic dinner at home can be a lot more special than eating out--and it's also cheaper. If you want to have a romantic dinner at home with your partner, all you have to do is prepare a carefully planned menu and create the right atmosphere before starting the dinner. Read the following article to find out how to plan a romantic evening at home with your loved ones.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Planning the Menu
Step 1. Consider carefully the selection of drinks
If you want to enjoy a romantic dinner at home, the first thing you should do is enjoy a drink to open up a series of delicious home-cooked dishes. Wine is the most romantic drink. So, if you and your partner love wine, prepare a bottle (or more) of red or white wine, depending on the dish you are going to eat. Red wine tends to be the best choice to be enjoyed with steaks and other meats. On the other hand, white wine is best enjoyed on a hot summer evening with lighter dishes such as shrimp or salad. If dining is more casual or you just like beer, beer can also be selected.
- If you choose beer, white wine, or other drinks that are supposed to be enjoyed cold, be sure to store them in the refrigerator well in advance.
- Also prepare plain water with lemon in it as a nice complement. Keep a pitcher of cold water on the table. Don't go to the fridge for water in the middle of dinner.
Step 2. Choose a simple appetizer
After pouring your drink, get ready to serve a simple appetizer. Don't spend an hour sipping a drink while standing waiting for the food to cook. While cooking together all or part of a meal is a fun part of a romantic dinner at home, it's not going to be fun if you're both too hungry to be romantic. Preparing a few simple appetizers ahead of time, or planning simple, easy-to-make snacks, will get the dinner off to a great start. Choose simple finger foods that are fun and easy to eat in the kitchen. Here are some perfect appetizer ideas:
- Make the bruschetta first. To make bruschetta, all you need is a baguette, garlic, olive oil, onions, tomatoes and a few other simple ingredients.
- If you want something extravagant, make deviled eggs the night before and enjoy while you wait.
- Make your own or buy guacamole ahead of time and serve with a small bowl of tortilla chips.
- In summer, make a salad consisting of four simple ingredients: watermelon, feta cheese, sunflower seeds, and mint.
- Hummus with pita chips and fresh vegetables is always delicious.
- While cheese and crackers are traditionally eaten at the end of dinner, get creative and enjoy a plate of cheese and crackers as an appetizer. Gouda, brie, and fontina cheeses are great for crackers.
Step 3. Choose the main dish
The main course should be simple and not require long preparation--or something that is fully/half-prepared so that it should only take about 45 minutes to finish cooking and serving. If making pizza at home, start cooking dinner with all the ingredients prepared and the oven preheated so the last thing to do is place the ingredients on the pizza and pop the pizza in the oven. Here are some dishes that can be considered as main dishes:
- Stir-fried chicken and vegetables are a great dish for a romantic dinner at home. Just make sure you wash, season, and coat the chicken beforehand so it doesn't take up too much time.
- Grilled salmon with rice and Brussels sprouts is another great option.
- If you prefer pasta instead of spaghetti or fetuccini, opt for pasta penne, tortellini, orzo, or ravioli, which are easier to eat.
- Don't choose dishes that require too many ingredients and clean up during or after dinner. You might love making the 12-layer lasagna that your mom gave you, but it will take all night to cook and make for a very messy kitchen.
- Choose foods that are aphrodisiac if you want a more romantic evening. These foods include oysters, almonds, basil, and asparagus.
- Don't use too much garlic or onions in your cooking as you may not feel romantic after the meal. The same goes for foods that are too rich and creamy, which can cause bloating.
- Don't choose foods that are too difficult to eat, such as lobster or French Onion Soup. If you're making a salad, make sure the lettuce is cut into small pieces so it's not difficult to put in your mouth.
- When considering a main course, choose simple dishes so your partner can help you, whether chopping up celery and tomatoes or making a simple salad.
Step 4. Choose a simple dessert
If the wine, appetizer, and main course are selected and prepared properly, chances are your stomach will be full enough by the time it's time for dessert. Instead of whipping up an elaborate dessert, just buy cupcakes from your favorite local bakery. Or, refrigerate the ice cream and serve with whipped cream and a handful of raspberries and blueberries.
Step 5. Prepare a backup plan
While a romantic dinner at home should go smoothly, have a backup plan in place just in case. This backup plan doesn't mean you have to prepare another home-cooked meal, but it does mean you have to have a rescue plan in case something goes wrong. A backup plan could be getting a menu from your favorite sushi restaurant or keeping frozen pizza in the fridge. If you can't go outside and there's no food or other options at home, that's not going to be fun.
Method 2 of 2: Creating a Romantic Atmosphere
Step 1. Determine the location
You can plan a romantic dinner in the garden if you have a garden. Dinner in the garden can be very romantic if the season is right and your garden is beautiful and insect-free. You can have dinner in the kitchen too, but after that you'll have to rush to clean and tidy things up. If you can, choose a place that isn't where the two of you usually eat to make the evening special. If you have a "luxury" dining table that has never been used, now is a good time to use it.
Step 2. Use good cutlery
You may have a luxury set of crystal glasses, plates, napkins, and silverware that have never been used because they are only for a special occasion. Now is the special occasion--take out the equipment and see how romantic it becomes.
Step 3. Choose a romantic decoration
Flowers, petals, and unscented candles can create a romantic atmosphere--they come in many options; You just need to be creative. Remember, candles are a very important element in a romantic dinner. So light some candles and place them on or near the table. Flowers, like elegant roses, are also almost as important. Flowers look beautiful on the table, whether in the form of a magnificent or simple arrangement. Just remember that you both need to be able to look at each other unobstructed.
Playing soft jazz or romantic music in the background can enhance a romantic atmosphere as long as it's not too distracting
Step 4. Dress up
Before starting dinner, take a shower and put on some perfume or cologne. Dress up like you're going out to dinner. Wear casual but nice clothes, and look fresh and attractive. Your partner will appreciate your efforts, and the evening will feel much more special. Just make sure to determine the dress code with your partner before dinner so that you both look attractive.
Step 5. Eliminate all distractions
Make a plan to eliminate all distractions so that you and your partner can freely eat the delicious meal you have prepared--and also enjoy time together. So, if you have children, plan ahead so that relatives are willing to babysit your child at their home for the night. Also, turn off cell phones, TVs, and radios. Just focus on each other. If there's a big sporting event that night and one or both of you is a big fan of the sport, change the date of the dinner date so you don't get distracted on the date. Once all distractions have been removed, you can both focus on enjoying a romantic evening.
Tips
- Make sure the house smells nice.
- Clean and tidy the house
- Play your favorite soft music together at very low volume.
- Dim the lights and light the candles just before the couple gets home.
- Make sure the house temperature is comfortable.
- Unplug the phone cord or turn off the cell phone. A phone call can be very disruptive.
- The dinner table and dishes should be ready by the time the couple gets home.
- Eliminate all distractions -- take the dog for a walk, feed the pet, put the child to bed or let the child watch TV in their room or stay at a friend's house, and turn off the TV or computer.
- There is always the possibility of a partner coming home early or late. So, contact your partner to find out the situation.
- A good plan is to eat, chat, let your partner shower and change, then maybe watch a movie or cuddle in bed.
- Prepare the bedroom, dim the lights, and light the candles--if planning to make love. However, both of you may not want to make love after eating a lot.
- Try to be as clean and tidy as possible, but don't clean up after dinner--do it the next day.
- Do not be shy. Chances are your partner likes whatever you cook. After all, he's your partner!
