Eating at home seems to have a few false connotations attached…let’s clear those up. Starting with the parallel that home-cooking a meal, instead of going out, means it won’t be (as) delicious. Secondly, the idea that you can’t get dressed up and create an ambiance at home–just for the two of you. And lastly, the notion that quality food and wine must be expensive. Who doesn’t love to save a few dollars from the comfort of home?
Definition of a romantic dinner at home: Finding a way to go beyond what you normally do on a nightly basis with your partner. Slowing down and turning toward each other.
The Ideal Evening
I recently found myself craving pasta, and not the kind from a cardboard box, paired with a strong pour of Pinot Noir. But instead of calling in reservations for two at my local Italian spot, I did a quick “easy pasta recipe” on Pinterest. Here’s how it turned out: delicious! Here’s how to plan a romantic dinner at home for two.
Ask Your BF/GF
- Are there any foods you have been wanting to try?
- What is a food you’ve been wanting to make at home?
- Are there any shows or card games you’ve been wanting to try?
- If you could do whatever you wanted for the night (at home), what would it be?
Ask Yourself
- Has my partner mentioned anything that they’ve been craving recently?
- Are there any new games, shows, or activities that my partner has mentioned wanting to try?
- Is there a food that I have been wanting to make from scratch?
- What would my ideal night spent at home look like?
When Work is Over + Pre-Dinner
When it’s time to clock out, I like to take some time to unwind from the day and get comfortable. While this looks different for everyone, here are some ideas:
- After arriving home from work, change into comfy (or fancy) clothes. Maybe slip on our partner’s favorite dress or their favorite color.
- Silence all electronics and limit distractions around the house.
- Play a new or your favorite card game.
- Set the mood with a candle (I make sure mine are soy), or 10, and queue the music. More on this below!
A Playlist that Sets the Mood
I like to keep a small speaker in the kitchen to either play audiobooks while cooking or queue a playlist to set the mood.
Here are some of my go-to artists:
- John Mayer
- Luke Combs
- Frank Sinatra
- Etta James
- Zac Brown Band
- Elvis Presley
- The Temptations
- EARNEST
- Old Dominion
- Lou Rawls
If you want all the good stuff in one spot, check out the playlist “Date Night Classics” by Darkling on Spotify. Click here.
While-Cooking-Dinner-Snack
What’s more on brand for an Italian-focused meal than..cheese?! I’m determined to start this yummy trend. It’s called “Fancy Snacking While Cooking.” This can mean all kinds of things but I highly recommend including wine and cheese. Here are some ideas:
Thinly slice homemade bread (my easy and widely loved recipe here: “3 of the Best Friend Approved Recipes to Share”) and toast it, before topping it with some of these must-try cheese pairings.
- Havarti with Fig Preserves
- Smoked Gouda with Pepper Jelly
- White Cheddar and Whole Grain Mustard
- Brie (baked) and Apricot Jam
- Parmesan with Raspberry Jelly
For more cheese + jelly pairings, click here.
Did you know that cheese contains tryptophan, which is proven to improve your mood? Cheese just keeps getting better because cheese isn’t only good for the increasing mood, it’s also packed full of calcium and vitamins such as D, K, & A. These benefits are true when consumed in moderation. An easy way to know how much cheese to eat is by only eating one index finger length x fingertip height, of cheese.
Oh and did I mention all of these taste better when wine-sipping is involved? Three lovable wines that don’t break the bank:
- La Belle Angele Pinot Noir, France 2021
- Les Ormes De Cambras Cabernet Sauvignon, France 2021
- Laudato Pinot Grigio, Italy
An Italy-Inspired Romantic Dinner
That Pinterest pasta recipe I found months ago is still my go-to when I’m craving Italian cuisine. And I created a new (easy to make) white cheese pesto sauce that is *chef’s kiss* every time. This recipe makes enough for two people (+ some leftovers). Here’s how to make them:
🍝 Homemade Pasta
1 ¾ Cups all-purpose flour
2 Large eggs
1 Egg yolk
1 Tablespoon water
🧀 Creamy Pasta Sauce
1 Shallot
2 Tablespoons minced garlic
A few sage leaves
½ Cup grated parmesan
½ Cup ricotta
½ Cup Gouda
Place the flour in a food processor fitted with a dough blade. Close and turn it on. Whisk together the eggs and 1 tablespoon of water. Slowly add the egg mixture through the spout while the food processor is running. Once the dough begins to form a ball, turn it off.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until silky and smooth. If the dough is too dry, add the remaining water, if it is too sticky, add an additional tablespoon of flour.
Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for 30 minutes, or if not using right away, refrigerate.
Meanwhile, start assembling the ingredients for the sauce. Add the following to a pan and let sizzle on low heat until golden brown:
1 Shallot
2 Tablespoons minced garlic
A few sage leaves
Drizzle olive oil
Tablespoon of butter
After refrigerating for 30 minutes, divide the dough into 3 pieces, flour lightly, and run through a pasta roller to the thinnest setting. When rolling, start at the thickest setting, fold in thirds, and roll through again, repeating for a total of three times. Then roll once through each setting until the thinnest. Slice the pasta into whatever shape you’re feeling – have fun with it!
The shallots and garlic should be ready for other ingredients at this point. Keep stove on low heat and remove sage leaves, then add:
½ Cup grated parmesan
½ Cup ricotta
½ Cup Gouda
To cook, boil a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook for five minutes. Following the five minutes, add a ladle of the pasta water to the cheese-y sauce and stir until combined. Drain the pasta and add to the sauce.
Assemble each plate with the al dente pasta and sauce, then top with a drizzle of pesto (I buy it pre-made for this meal) and top with a few basil leaves.
Definition of al dente: According to Delish, “Al dente describes pasta or rice that is cooked to be firm to the bite. The etymology is Italian “to the tooth”. In contemporary Italian cooking, the term identifies the ideal consistency for pasta and involves a brief cooking time. Molto al dente is the culinary term for slightly undercooked pasta.”
Post Dinner
After dinner has concluded and the dishes are put away, here are a few late-night-date-night ideas:
- 🚶🏼♀️Up for a walk? – This is a routine I like to keep regardless of if it’s date night or not. Walking together is a great way to catch up from the day and get moving. Movement post-dinner is a great way to encourage digestion and ensure a better night’s sleep.
- 🃏Let’s Play Cards – One of the best card games for two people is Hand & Foot. Jack and I play this at least five times a week. Also, A Little Wordy is a fun, more interactive game for two.
- 🍦Desperately Need Dessert – It’s hard for me to go a night without having a little something sweet after dinner. While I normally keep this simple and small, like a square of dark chocolate and a cup of mint tea, date night is the exception. Try picking up a pint of your favorite shared ice cream flavor and top it with some extras: Hot fudge, nuts, caramel, whipped cream, and of course sprinkles.
- 📺 Whatcha Watching – My boyfriend Jack and I love to end our at-home date nights with an episode from one of our shows or stand-up from a favorite comedian. Here are five night-cap ideas:
- Theo Von Regular People
- Chris D’elia No Pain
- Ted Lasso
- New Girl
- Iron Chef
CONCLUSION
I have seen a lot of creators post about their 5-9 routines before and after the work day. This concept takes a morning and night routine one step further. Instead of starting the day in a flurry, the 5am-9am routine allows for more control and productivity throughout the day. And when work is complete, the 5pm-9pm routine provides time with family and sets tomorrow up for success. (I talk about this more in the blog post “The Best Nighttime Routine for Adults“) Date night is a great way to make the after-work hours memorable.
Weekly Challenge: Pick one day this week and plan an at-home date night with your partner, a friend, or yourself. This doesn’t have to be exactly what I wrote about/recommend in the post but can be anything you desire. Use the questions above under the header “Let’s Get Planning” for some planning prompts.
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xxx
Allie M.
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