How To Prepare A Romantic Dinner For Two
You may want to prepare a romantic dinner to celebrate an anniversary, good news, a birthday, or just to show someone he or she is special. You naturally want everything to be perfect, but you may be a novice at such things. Regardless of the reason for the dinner and whether you are planning your first or your fiftieth such dinner, here are some tips that might be helpful.
Clean house early in the day. Straighten any clutter, dust, and vacuum. Several hours before your guest will arrive, spray an odor killing room freshener around liberally. If you are using a plug in type air freshener, go ahead and set it up in advance so that it has time to activate. Select some soft music you can play in the background. Instrumentals work best, since they are relaxing and not intrusive.
Clean off the kitchen counters so that cooking will be easier. Unload the dishwasher so that you can add the dirty ones as you go. This reduces the time you will need to clean up later and prevents an untidy stack in case your guest should wander into the kitchen.
Review your menu plan and make sure that you have all of the ingredients you will need to prepare and serve the meal. For example, if you are serving a tossed salad, check that you have dressings on hand as well as the vegetables you will need. Estimate the time it will take to prepare each item and work backwards to see when you need to begin.
Set an elegant table. If you have a black dining room set, for example, consider using white place mats for a touch of drama. Make sure the centerpiece will not block your view of your dinner partner. When using candles, use holders with a lot of gold or faceted crystal to catch and reflect the dim light. For tables with a dark finish, consider spreading some red rose petals over its surface.
You might choose to cook the meat course in a Camerons stovetop smoker so that you do not heat the kitchen with the oven. Use it to prepare tender steaks, chops, or chicken with less trouble than many other methods. It can also steam the vegetables you plan to serve on the side.
If you are serving mashed potatoes, use a hand mixer to make sure they are free of lumps. For those who prefer the instant variety to peeling and boiling fresh ones, there are ways to make them tastier. Increase the amount of milk and butter, and decrease the amount of water, that the directions state. This will make a creamier product. You can also add shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits, or paprika before serving. Experiment ahead of time to develop your own variations so that you will know exactly what you need to add to make them uniquely your own recipe.
An interesting tossed salad can be used as your first course. Mix together iceberg and romaine lettuce, then toss in some olives, cherry tomatoes, and pecan pieces. If desired, you could also add shredded cheese, chopped sweet pickles, or grated carrots. Before serving, add croutons and toss with a dressing, either a commercial product or one you have prepared earlier in the day. One simple dressing requires only mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, seasoning salt, and dill seeds to suit. Refrigerate several hours before serving.
Dessert can be special without having to be elaborate. Cherries jubilee is a nice choice, but it is not always practical. Instead, consider choices such as fresh peach shortcake, triple chocolate cake served with ice cream, or gingered fruit cups.
