VALENTINE’S DAY: HOW TO MAKE YOUR ROMANTIC DINNER A SUCCESS?
Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to surprise your other half with a romantic dinner . A timeless proof of love, a moment of intimacy beyond time, a romantic dinner at home can nevertheless frighten some people as it seems to be the preserve of the greatest event prodigies. However, this is not the case! All you will need to organize a Valentine's Day evening worthy of the most beautiful love films is a sincere desire to please , a few tips and refined dishes . And above all, keep in mind that romance is something very personal. The most beautiful candlelit dinner will always be the one that your feelings inspire in you.
CREATE A ROMANTIC ATMOSPHERE
When you go to a restaurant, it is to enjoy a good meal, but also to get away from the daily grind and find yourself in a special atmosphere. For a memorable Valentine's Day dinner, we advise you to try to recreate this effect at home . The goal is to get out of the routine while remaining in the privacy of your little cocoon.
Here are some preparation tips to create a romantic atmosphere :
- Turn off the television to avoid background noise and so that everyone can fully invest in this moment together without distraction.
- Opt for subdued lighting : a few candles, a few warm-light lamps, and if you have a fireplace or stove, this is the perfect time to light a fire. Avoid at all costs lights that are too bright or too cold, which are not known for encouraging relaxation.
- Choose soft music , preferably instrumental so as not to disturb your exchanges. It's up to you to choose according to your preferences and those of your loved one: jazz, classical music, ambient electronic music... If you lack inspiration, you will find a plethora of playlists specially designed for this type of occasion on your favorite music streaming platform.
TAKE CARE OF THE DECORATION AND LAYOUT OF THE PLACES
The ambiance of your romantic dinner will also be affected by the decoration. To transform your living room or kitchen into a real love nest, don't hesitate to embellish it with a few elegant touches: a pretty bouquet of flowers in a vase, a few rose petals on the table, a few candles as suggested above... It's up to you to express romance as you see it.
Also, let's not forget that this is a dinner party, so your efforts should be focused around the table:
- Choose a small table that will allow you to be close enough to your loved one, preferably face to face. If your usual table does not allow this, do not hesitate to use a small desk or a serving trolley.
- Take care of the table decoration. Tablecloth, cutlery, dishes , everything must be worthy of an exceptional meal. There is no question here of taking out mismatched plates, tarnished glasses and worn cutlery. Choose a pretty tablecloth and combine white and red tones, which universally evoke passion and sensuality.
- If necessary, slightly reorganize the room so that the space lends itself to relaxation. Clear the space around the table and remove anything that could bring you back to the boring aspects of everyday life (papers, laundry, computers, etc.).
DRESS UP
The watchword for this Valentine's Day evening will undoubtedly be seduction . Once you've made sure that your decoration lends itself to the exchange of languorous glances, it's up to you to make sure that these glances are on the best version of yourself . Here again, everyone has their own way of making themselves beautiful, and we have no pretension to teach you how to be. However, a few universal rules apply, and although they are obvious to most, it's good to have them on hand.
First of all, make sure you are spotlessly clean . Without it, all your beauty efforts will be of little use. Choose an outfit in which you feel good , attractive, confident but also - and above all - comfortable.
This Valentine's Day evening is an opportunity for each member of the couple to rediscover the other and rekindle their flame . Don't hesitate to surprise your partner with a new haircut , a new dress , a new perfume . When getting ready, also think about the little details : jewelry, manicure, as well as anything that will be hidden during the meal and that might no longer be a few hours later.
PREPARE AN EXCEPTIONAL MEAL
Finally, you will need to think about the heart of the evening: the meal . It must reflect the exceptional and festive nature of Valentine's Day. For this lovers' celebration, focus on delicate and refined dishes that you will enjoy tasting as a couple. Appetizers, starters, main course, dessert and wine, nothing should be left to chance on this evening of February 14. Here are some suggestions for creating a dinner worthy of the greatest chefs:
To awaken your guest's taste buds and whet your appetite, there's nothing like a few toasts (plain or flavored) garnished with spreads . Vary the pleasures without moderation with this refined appetizer, but also easy and quick to prepare: eggplant, ricotta & mint, peppers and mascarpone, butternut with honey & almonds... The aperitif is also the ideal moment to share a glass of champagne with your guest.
Sometimes the best things are the simplest. As a starter , impress your husband or wife with a duck foie gras from the South-West accompanied by a few berries, coarse salt and onion confit , fig jam or even a slightly more original mango chutney, all washed down with a glass of dry white wine .
How can we not think of Italy when it comes to love, passion and voluptuousness? While pizza may not be the most romantic of their creations, risotto is undoubtedly one of the most glamorous preparations in Italian gastronomy. Melting, rich and fragrant, this main course is nothing more or less than an edible declaration of love . And because the chosen one of your heart deserves the best on this special day, opt for a recipe for risotto with white summer truffle , the ultimate symbol of luxury and refinement.
For dessert, finish off beautifully with a touch of sweetness with fruit macaroons (raspberry, strawberry, lemon, morello cherry, etc.), chocolate, hazelnut or caramel. Fresh, gourmet, chic and tasty, the jewels of French pastry perfectly embody the spirit of seduction and refinement of a romantic dinner.
