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.
Meal preparation will be much easier if you clear the counters and clean the kitchen first. Remove clean dishes from the dishwasher and then add your dirty dishes as you are cooking. This saves time later and also makes the kitchen look better in the event your guest wanders in for some reason.
Well before time to start cooking, take inventory to make sure you have everything needed for preparing and serving the dinner. For instance, if you plan to serve a green salad, make sure you have not only the vegetables but also the dressing. Compute how long you will need for each item and then estimate a starting time by working backwards.
Dress your table as elegantly as you can. For example, a black dining room set can be used as an effective backdrop for a dramatic look. White, in the form of dishes or linens, can provide a good contrast. Fresh petals from two or three red roses can be sprinkled on top of the table. Sit down to make sure your centerpiece will not obscure the view of you or your guest. If using candles, place them in holders that can capture dim light, such as polished metal or faceted cut glass.
You might want to use a Camerons stovetop smoker for the meat you will be serving. This eliminates the need to add heat to the kitchen with an oven. You can smoke tender, flavorful chicken, chops, or steaks more easily than most other methods. You could also use it to steam any vegetables on the menu.
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.
If you are using a tossed salad for your first course, make it as interesting as you can. Use a combination of romaine lettuce and iceberg lettuce, then toss with some pecan pieces, olives, and cherry tomatoes. If desired, mix in diced or shredded cheese, minced gherkins, or grated carrots. Before serving, toss with dressing and croutons. You can use a purchased dressing or make one yourself. One that is extremely simply is nothing more than seasoning salt and dill seeds stirred into a mix of ketchup and mayonnaise. Just adjust ingredients to suit your own tastes, chill well, and serve.
An elaborate dessert such as cherries jubilee is always nice, but it is seldom practical and not necessary. There are simple desserts you can prepare that seem more complex than they are. Consider selections such as gingered fruit cups, a shortcake made with fresh peaches, or a decadent chocolate cake with ice cream.