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If you're like many busy working couples, weeknight dinners often consist of microwaved mush or losing-their-flavor leftovers. Time to bring a little magic back into mealtimes: Put together a simple and sexy dinner any night of the week and give your husband, wife, or significant other a good reason to leave the office on time!
- Start with cocktails... Find a comfy place at home to share a cocktail, a glass of wine, or something nonalcoholic before dinner. Put out a bowl of almonds or olives and take a few minutes to unwind from the day.
- Add accents... Rather than a tall floral arrangement, which can seem like overkill for two people, place a single orchid in a small bud vase or a handful of hydrangeas in a low fishbowl. Dim the overhead lights and put a few votives on the table. Don't overdo it on fragrance -- unscented or very lightly scented vanilla are best; that way the scent won't interfere with the flavors of the meal.
- Choose an alluring setting... Rather than eating at your usual dining table, consider other options -- eat al fresco in the backyard, or if you have a pool, dine poolside -- très romantique!
- Dish it out... Consider investing in a pair of place settings to use just when the two of you dine -- makes it feel special and you can find inexpensive dinnerware at places like Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, or PierOne. And use cloth napkins -- it's a simple touch that adds a lot of class. Put out wine glasses, even if you're just serving sparkling juice or soda. And finish with a little accent on each plate - a lovey-dovey quote, a card, or small memento that dresses up the table and lets your special someone know just how special they are.
- Make it simple... Keep the meal elegant but easy. And don't rush things -- serve a separate appetizer or salad course before the main course, then finally dessert. One of our favorite first courses is Caprese salad -- sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, a drizzling of olive oil, some fresh ground pepper, salt, and fresh basil. For the main course, buy a rotisserie chicken and serve it whole, surrounded by roasted veggies (broccoli, baby carrots, and potatoes mixed with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper and roasted in the oven). Or mix up a simple pasta. To finish, serve sorbet in dessert or martini glasses and garnish with a few berries or a cookie. Dinner doesn't have to be complicated -- the most important thing is to enjoy the time together.
- Last but not least... Create the perfect mood for your meal with some mellow and romantic tunes -- check out Renee Stahl's gorgeous new CD Hopeful.Romantic, or try anything by Beth Orton or Regina Spektor.
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