Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Choosing a dish
• Part 2 of 3: Preparing the dish
• Part 3 of 3: Creating the Mood

If you are going to prepare a romantic dinner for your loved one, then it will take a little effort to plan. Choosing a dish, preparing it and creating the mood all play an important role in organizing a wonderful, romantic evening.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Choosing a dish

1. 1 Find out all about your partner's allergies. Before you start flipping through your favorite cookbooks, take some time to research your partner's food allergies. You don't want to spend a lot of time making a delicate peanut cake for dessert, and then remember that your loved one is allergic to peanuts. Make a list of your partner's food allergies, if any, and first compare your recipe to that list.
   • You should also consider your partner's dietary preferences. Steak is not a good idea for dinner with a vegetarian girl. You can also look at foods your partner likes and try incorporating them into the menu.
2. 2 Choose a dish (or dishes) that you can definitely cook correctly. When deciding on a choice of a dish, stick to those options that you have already tried to cook before. A soufflé for a loved one according to a new recipe can be a disastrous (but perhaps the most memorable) dish. Choosing a simple dish will make the whole process easier. There is nothing wrong with making Alfredo's favorite fettuccine from the family recipe for this special occasion.
   • Choose from dishes you've cooked before that are simple to prepare but look unusual. Or consider preparing a new version of a dish that you haven't tried yet, but are confident that you will succeed.
   • You can search the internet or wikiHow for recipes that match your cooking skill level.
   • Several recommended recipes: filet mignon, risotto, shrimp with garlic sauce, nicoise salad and French pasta (for dessert)
3. 3 Decide how many dishes you will be serving. If you're planning on serving multiple meals, try to find options that work well. After choosing the main course, it is recommended to match the appetizer and dessert to the main course. Review the ingredients used for the main course, and then try to find appetizers and desserts that go well with it.
   • In general, you can stick to one kind of cuisine. For example, if you decide to make fettuccine alfredo with chicken and vegetables as your main course, you can browse the options for Italian appetizers and desserts. You can start your meal with a salad or melon wrapped in prosciutto (both are easy to prepare, even if you've never cooked them before), and end the evening with Italian ice cream and fresh fruit for dessert.
4. 4 Make a written menu (optional). Once you have a meal plan, consider the idea of ​​creating a cute menu. The menu can be placed on the table for your partner to scroll through. Write down the name of each dish, which can be supplemented with brief descriptions of the main ingredients below. This menu is often offered in restaurants.
5. 5 If possible, try a couple of dishes before planning your big night out. If you are choosing between several options, or you want to try a new recipe that has never been prepared before, and you have enough free time, you can try to prepare it well in advance of your planned romantic evening. A test preparation will allow you to find out if this dish is right for your evening.
   • Experience in preparing a dish will also be useful for solving any problems that arise in the course of its preparation, for example, burnt or overcooked meat, or overcooked noodles.
6. 6 Try not to cook foods with very strong smells. For a romantic evening, try not to choose foods that smell strong or foods that don't look too romantic, like spicy fish or fiery garlic. Leaning over for a kiss, you can smell the boiled broccoli, which is not romantic at all.
7. 7 Try to avoid foods that can cause gas for you or your partner. Foods that can disrupt stomach function should be avoided in the same way as food with strong odors. Burping or gas during dinner can quickly kill your romantic mood if your partner resent such things. Of course, each person reacts differently to different foods. Here are the foods that most commonly trigger gases:
   • Beans and lentils.
   • Vegetables such as broccoli, peas, asparagus, and cauliflower.
   • Fruits such as peaches, apricots, raw apples, and pears.
   • Milk and dairy products.
8. 8 Plan your drinks for dinner. If you are already an adult, you can complement your dinner with a bottle of good wine. The choice of wine will depend on the dishes. If you don’t like wine or cannot buy it, consider a soft drink option, such as Shirley Temple.
   • You can choose the appropriate wine for the occasion.

Part 2 of 3: Preparing the dish

1. 1 Choose quality ingredients. Once you've decided on a dish, head to the grocery store. The ingredients you purchase must be of good quality and fresh. For example, if you're planning on making a beef dish, choose a good piece. If possible, go shopping a day or two before your romantic dinner.
   • Remember that the freshness of the ingredients can affect the flavor of the food, so always try to choose the freshest ingredients.
2. 2 Estimate the amount of time you will need to prepare each dish. Your goal is to cook everything at the same time. Make sure all meals are ready to serve five minutes before you start dinner. For example, if rice needs to be cooked for an hour, but it takes only fifteen minutes to bake chicken, you will have to start cooking these dishes at different times. For convenience, create your own culinary schedule:
   • Write down the cooking times for each dish, then start cooking in order from longest to fastest recipe.
   • If you need to cook something, do not forget to take into account the time for heating or boiling water (usually about 10 minutes). The same goes for preheating the oven (this will depend on your particular oven and preheat temperature).
3. 3 Keep food warm. If you are slightly off schedule, and one dish is cooked before the rest, try to reheat it in a closed container. You can reheat food by placing it in the oven at a low heat setting. However, keeping the finished dish in the oven for too long is not recommended, otherwise it may lose its juiciness. You can also keep the food warm on the stove by keeping the heat low.
   • Avoid using the microwave to reheat food whenever possible.
4. 4 Limit the amount of salt. Each of us has our own idea of ​​the required amount of salt. Try to err on the side when there is too little salt, as this can always be corrected by adding salt to the dish. Place the salt shaker on the table so that your partner can always add salt if he sees fit.
5. 5 Serve ready meals on a platter or on separate serving plates. If you are preparing a dish that is served hot, it is recommended to serve it in a container that keeps the food warm.Alternatively, a snack or main course can be nicely laid out on a plate if served cold.
   • You can put the flower on a plate next to the food to give it a special look.
6. 6 Try to remove unnecessary items as thoroughly as possible before your guest arrives. When you're done cooking and the finished meals are warm or on the table, try to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen as much as possible.
   • If you don't have time, empty your dishes and fill the sink with hot water for easy cleaning the next day.

Part 3 of 3: Creating the Mood

1. 1 Set the table. It is advisable to do this before you start cooking. Cover the table with a good tablecloth and, if desired, decorate with napkins where you will be sitting. Try to match your plates and cups in style and add the cutlery you need.
   • For example, if you are serving steaks, make sure that each individual cutlery set has a special knife for easy cutting of the steak meat.
2. 2 Light some candles. Candles are a great addition to add a romantic touch to your dinner. Dim the lights and place candles as accents throughout the room and on the table.
   • Try to choose candles with no obvious scent. Overly scented candles can affect the taste of your dinner. Prefer neutral or light scented candles.
3. 3 Decorate with flowers or use rose petals. For a special dinner, place a vase with a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table. Try to position it so that it does not obstruct your loved one during dinner.
   • You can also decorate your passion's table or plate with rose petals.
4. 4 Turn on the music. Play music that both of you like, but let it play quietly so as not to interfere or distract you from the conversation. Consider musical options that do not have complex lyrics, such as jazz, classical music, or Spanish guitar.