Cooking a romantic meal for two requires careful thought and preparation as there are many pitfalls for the unwary amateur.
Choice of food
Always be sure that the person you are cooking for likes the food you are going to prepare. Having your partner reject the starter of honeydew melon is not going to get the evening off in the right mood. It’s also wise to ask your partner if they suffer from any food allergies. Many people are allergic to gluten, and can become violently ill within minutes of it passing their lips, and you certainly don’t want that to happen. So, check all the ingredients carefully. You also want to avoid foods which can have unfortunate romance-killing side effects, such as beans. For the same reason, go easy on spices, garlic and onions.
Preparation and planning
The key to a successful meal, especially a romantic one, lies in the preparation and planning. Always cook a dish you are familiar with. Trying something new might seem like a great idea, but with everything else you’ll have on your mind, you don’t need that kind of added pressure. Likewise, always prepare food that is easy to serve and that is not messy. For example, a casserole may be very tasty, but it is easy to spill onto the tablecloth, and all that gravy can lead to serviettes being overused, inhibiting the flow of conversation and dewy-eyed looks. Keep sauces to a minimum, because apart from the spillage problem, they often need careful handling until the moment of serving, which means you will be spending time in the kitchen, getting hot and bothered, when you and your guest should be relaxing and at ease with each other. For that reason, prepare starters and desserts in advance, so they can be produced without fuss and delay, while the main course should require no more than a few minutes final prepping in the kitchen, so something from the oven is ideal.
If you follow the two basic pieces of advice outlined here, your romantic meal for two should turn out to be just that. But don’t forget that the table setting is equally important. People eat with their eyes as well, so a table set to capture a romantic atmosphere will help your cause immeasurably.
IMG: sonne fleckl – Fotolia