Valentine’s Day is known as restaurants’ busiest night of the year. So why spend your special evening ear to elbow with a dining room full of strangers?
Making a romantic dinner at home can actually be less stressful and sexier (not to mention lighter on the wallet).
The key to preparing a romantic dinner for two is planning. Selecting a menu that incorporates aphrodisiac ingredients can make the evening more successful. Consider starting the evening with a bottle of sparkling wine. Champagne not only brings on a giddy sensation, but the scent of the Blanc de Blancs style sparkling wines offers an aroma similar to a female pheromone.
Other ingredients you might want to incorporate include chile peppers and ginger, which can raise body temperature, cause a release of endorphins and bring a sexy blush to the cheeks.
Truffles replicate the scent of male pheromones.
Chocolate, although more cliche than scientifically proven aphrodisiac, has been shown in studies to be one of the ingredients considered most romantic. It never hurts to make the power of persuasion work in your favor!
Related: How Much Chocolate Can You Fit in a Healthy Diet?
On Valentine’s night, you want to be able to focus your energy on the one you love, so plan dishes that can be prepared in advance. Or consider a menu of foods you can make together, like rolling vegetarian sushi.
Interactive dishes like fondue can also be fun for an intimate meal. Add a salad of fresh kale--good for your skin—that has been massaged with olive oil (this will help break down the stiff green.) Add aged Parmesan, wedges of juicy Bartlett pear, a squeeze of lemon juice and season with salt and pepper for a complete meal.
Just remember to keep the whole dinner light (and this includes dessert). Try simple sweets like fresh fruit slices you can dip in warm chocolate.
For added antioxidant benefits and a delicious little crunch, stir in a handful of cocoa nibs. Or skip dessert altogether and just sip espressos. The drink can give you a quick shot of energy at just the right moment.
More from GalTime:
- Have a HEALTHY V-Day Breakfast this Year
- Eat Your Way to Sexy in 6 Steps
- How BLTs Can Get You Into Trouble (Bit, Licks, and Tastes!)
- 8 Heart-Healthy Valentine's Treats
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