Host a Successful Romantic Dinner at Home

  Hosting a romantic dinner at home requires imagination and a delicious meal, especially when you are the one preparing the food. To avoid failure, you need to plan everything in detail: from what you will cook to the ambiance and the music. Have you never dared to do it, or when you have, things haven’t gone very well? Take note of the following tips: - BE REALISTIC. Prepare something simple. It's not a good idea to invent a new dish when your love life is at stake. It is advisable to prepare something classic, but with a special and personal touch that can surprise. If you're filled with doubts, the safest bet is to make a pasta dish. Don't forget to check if your date is vegetarian, allergic to any food, or following a special diet. - BE PREPARED. Get some tasks done in advance. There are some things, like mise en place, that you can do in the morning or even the night before. Stews can last for days. Salad dressings can be made ahead of time, and you can chop the vegetables beforehand. One detail you might not consider, but that is important: clean the kitchen and wash everything you used before your guest arrives. - LEAVE SOMETHING FOR THE END. While we have said that it’s not good to show off (excessively) and that it's better to focus on cooking before your date arrives, it’s also a good tactic to leave a task for the end, as a way to demonstrate that you have indeed taken care of preparing the whole dinner. Additionally, if you are shy and you still don’t have much confidence, talking while cooking is less awkward and gives you a topic of conversation. On the other hand, set aside a small but meaningful task and assign it to your companion. Cooking as a couple is fun. - FOR DRINKS. Open a bottle of wine. It’s the safest choice. Cocktails can be well received, but they are not necessary. Don’t serve beer unless you know your date likes it. - DESSERT. View dessert as a tool: it helps prolong the evening and can remedy any mistakes or awkwardness that may have occurred. Chocolate can take the form of brownies, mousse, and ice cream with hot fudge. - FOR AMBIENCE. Scents are an important factor when it comes to creating a pleasant atmosphere. Keeping this in mind, two aspects must be considered: the smell of what you cook and how it will linger in your home and on your clothes; and the smell that the food itself will leave on your breath. A fixed tip: try not to overdo it with garlic. Finally, think about your teeth. Yes, your teeth. Avoid foods or preparations that tend to get stuck between them. On a date, nothing can kill the mood more than seeing the other person’s teeth decorated with bits of broccoli or parsley. We recommend some recipes to consider for that special dinner - Shrimp Canapés on Celery - Tomato Tart with Cheese - Cream Cheese and Salmon Rolls - Baba Au Rhum