12 Tips To Cooking A Romantic Meal

If you want to create a romantic meal for your loved one, you will have to do a little bit of planning. Selecting the meal you want to cook, preparing that meal, and setting the mood all play a part in creating a lovely, romantic evening.

Below are 12 tips to cook that romantic meal and blow your partner away

1. Be Aware Of Your Partner’s Allergies

Before you begin flipping your way through your favorite recipe books, you should first take some time to consider the food allergies that your partner may have.

You wouldn’t want to spend the time making a delicate peanut butter pie for dessert only to remember that your partner is allergic to peanuts. Make a list of the food allergies your partner has, if any, and cross check any recipe you are considering with that list.

2. Pick Out A dish(es) You know You Can Cook Well

When considering what to cook, stick to dishes that you have tried before. Testing out a new recipe on your loved one may result in a disastrous but potentially memorable meal. Choosing a simple meal can make the whole process a bit less stressful.

Consider meals that you have cooked in the past that are simple to make but look fancy. Or, think about making a variation of a meal that you have not tried that you feel confident you can prepare well.

3. Decide How Many Courses You Are Going To Serve

If you are planning on serving several courses, try to pick out courses the compliment each other. Once you have picked out your main dish, consider selecting an appetizer(s) and dessert to accompany the main course.

Consider the ingredients that you will be using in your main dish, and then try to find appetizers and desserts that pair well.

4. Plan Out What You Will Drink With Your Meal

If you are the legal drinking age, consider pairing your meal with a nice bottle of wine. The wine you choose will depend on the kind of food you are eating. If you don’t like wine, or cannot legally buy it, consider making a fancy non-alcoholic beverage, like a fruit juice.

5. Consider Testing Out A Couple Of Dishes Before The Big Night

If you are deciding between a couple of dishes, or are thinking about trying a recipe you have never tried before, you may want to try cooking them before your romantic evening if you have the time.

Doing a test run can help you to figure out whether the dish will go over well. Practicing the preparation of your meal will also help you to resolve any challenges you face during while cooking, such as overcooking or undercooking the meat, or leaving the noodles in the pot too long.

6. Pick Out Quality Ingredients

Once you have picked out the dishes you will be preparing, go shopping for supplies. The ingredients you select should be good quality and fresh.

For example, if you are planning on cooking beef, select a nice cut. If possible, go shopping a day or two before your romantic meal. Remember that the freshness of your ingredients could change the flavor of your meal, so always try to pick out the freshest items.

7. Limit The Amount Of Salt You Use

Everyone has a different opinion about how much salt is too much salt. Try to err on the side of too little salt, as this can always be remedied by adding more. Place a salt shaker on the table so that your partner can choose to add salt if he or she feels like it.

8. Arrange The Food On The Plate Or Place The Food In Serving Dishes

If you the food you are cooking is hot, consider putting it in serving dishes that will keep it warm until you are ready to eat.

On the other hand, if your appetizers, or even your main dish, are cold, consider arranging them so that they look beautiful on the plate. You could even put a flower on the plate next to the food to give the arrangement an extra touch.

9. Set The Table

Generally, you will want to try to do this before you begin cooking. Lay out a nice tablecloth and consider adding placemats where you will both be sitting. Try to match the plates and bowls, and lay out the necessary cutlery.

10. Light Some Candles

Candles are a lovely touch that you can add to heighten the romantic feel of your dinner. Dim the lights and place candles in accent spots around the room and on your table.

Keep in mind, however, to try to use candles that do not have too strong of a scent. Candles that are heavily scented can interfere with the taste of your dinner. Stick to neutral, light smells, or unscented candles.

11. Set Out Flowers Or Use Rose Petals

For an extra special dinner, place freshly cut flowers in a vase and put it on the table. However, try to keep the vase and flowers short so that they do not block your view of your loved one while you eat. You can also get rose petals that you can sprinkle on the table, or place on your partner’s plate.

12. Put On Some Music

Play music that you both like, but put it on a low setting so that it does not interfere or distract from your conversation. Consider putting on music that does not rely heavily on lyrics, such as jazz, classical music, or spanish guitar.

Credit: WikiHow