Romance at the Table
Do you wear your heart on your sleeve or keep its pining hidden behind a veneer of nonchalance? Does the notion of orchestrating a romantic dinner send chills down your spine or quicken your heart like a pop of a cork? Any meal can be made romantic if the food is tasty and not too heavy, pleasing to the eye and most importantly your mood and expectations are relaxed, open and sincere.
Why not dine in and let your love shine in the food you share? Here are a few ideas that might tickle your fancy.
Heart Shaped Ravioli alla Vodka Sauce.
Homemade pasta may seem like more work for a weeknight celebration, but you could easily make the ravioli days ahead and quickly pull together a nice appetizer, salad and dinner is served. (Of course you may substitute pre-made cheese ravioli or use large square wrappers and cut them into hearts to save time.) You might even enjoy preparing the meal together. Why not? Sipping a little Prosecco while the dough rests gives you the perfect chance to get to know each other — perhaps all over again.The spice and heat of the Vodka Sauce will pair nicely with a bright light fruity Pinot Noir. For dessert, make it easy, how about chocolates and more Prosecco! See my Heart Ravioli alla Vodka Sauce Recipe
Lamb Chops and Israeli Couscous with Golden Beet Crisps
Nothing better than a perfectly seasoned, seared lamp chop or steak combined with a thoughtful, tasty side dish. Too often we ignore the sides as a generic add-on; baked or boiled potatoes, steamed vegetables, a plop of greens. Rethinking this notion makes the meal that much more special and elevates the simplicity of an elegant protein. Maybe a full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon suits your mood. For dessert, perhaps a sweet little lemon tart? Check out the Israeli Couscous with Golden Beet Crisps Recipe.
Seared Ahi Tuna with Curried Pineapple Compote
Not everyone thinks of fish as romantic, unless they are considering seafood such as oysters and prawns. But for me a well prepared meal of Ahi Tuna, Swordfish or Halibut ranks right up there. A little creativity in how you prepare it shows your loved ones that you can think out of the box, that the involvement of all the senses makes this meal memorable. Taste, sip and enjoy the bright colors and textures. Pair with a Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc. Dessert? Why not a lovely panna cotta and glass of Ruby Port. My easy Curried Pinapple Compote adds a zing to fish and chicken.
Links
- Heart Ravioli alla Vodka Sauce
- Lamb Chop with Israeli Couscous and Golden Beet Crisps
- Curried Pinapple Compote
What makes a meal romantic for you?
What makes a meal romantic for me is if somebody else cooks it … and cleans up afterwards!! Hahaha! Love this selection of dishes and have bookmarked that curried pineapple compote for fish barbecues in the summer!
That is romantic Jeanne! If you also grill your fresh pinapple in the summer bbq it really makes the compote tasty!
Being cozy with someone with any of these dishes is a sure way to win their heart and stomach! 😀 I love anything with cheese so the would be my first pick. Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate you coming by for a visit JM and very happy you enjoyed this post!