Forget going out to a restaurant -- the way to woo your sweetheart (or potential sweetheart) is by cooking. Before the fear courses through your veins, don't think that "cooking a romantic meal" needs to be overwhelming or complicated. The simple act of cooking a meal for someone, no matter what the menu, is romantic and special in and of itself. Perhaps the most romantic meal possible is breakfast in bed, and it doesn't have to be as elaborate as this delicious sounding menu from epicurious; if someone's cooking you breakfast, odds are they were there the night before, which is always (hopefully) a good thing.
When people think of romantic meals, they often tend to focus on ultra-expensive ingredients, like lobster, caviar, or foie gras, or fancy, time consuming preparations -- cast those ideas aside. Not that this Magret duck breast with shaved black truffles doesn't sound delectable, it's just that a romantic meal does not need to be expensive, fancy, or time consuming. Our advice? Cook something simple, manageable, and in your comfort zone. This menu from Food and Wine looks super-easy, is quick, and doesn't contain ultra high-end ingredients. If you skip the goat cheese souffle and sub in a potato of your choosing or even pre-cooked rice, you'll cut out even more time and energy.
Remember to light a few candles as an effortless way to create that romantic mood, and, unless your guest is a recovering alcoholic, you can't go wrong by pouring some wine (prosecco or cava are a less expensive alternative to champagne), and making an amazing make-out dinner mix for the iPod. But with or without such embellishments, a home-cooked meal says "I care" a hell of a lot more than any Hallmark card. And be sure to save the dishes until the morning -- after breakfast in bed.
Are you cooking for your Valentine tonight?
Photo courtesy of Frost Street.
