Need help planning your Valentines Dinner Menu?

There is nothing more comforting and satisfying than great food!
A great romantic meal consists of three things:

• Great Food
• Great Atmosphere
• Great People 

No doubt you already have the “great people” part all wrapped up — but if you need help with planning your Valentines dinner or creating the right atmosphere, you have come to the right place.  Here is how you can create a comfortable romantic meal while dining in.

Valentines Dinner starts with the right atmosphere 

The Atmosphere-

 Creating the right atmosphere doesn’t take as much effort as you think.  The basics are very simple, but it’s the details that make the difference.  See Setting the Mood for specifics on candle, their scents and staging the evening.

The food in your Valentines Dinner should complement each other

The Dinner Menu-

 
Appetizer: Stuffed Mushrooms
               Stuffed Mushrooms are a great hot appetizer that can be prepared a
               day in advance, and then popped in the oven at the appropriate time
               just before your meal.  They don’t require a lot of extra time and effort
               while you are trying to get your entree together, and they can be
               delicious little bites to feed each other. Stuffed Mushroom Recipe
                

Salad:   Candied Walnut Salad in a Basalmic Vinagrette
              This salad is very light with just enough sweetness and personality to
              blend with the full flavor of the stuffed mushrooms.  It’s very easy to
              prepare, and they even sell pre-bagged versions in the supermarket
              with all the ingredients already included for you. Candied Walnut Salad 

Main Course:  Pan Seared Herb Chicken
              Sides: Roasted Red Potatoes and Steamed Baby Carrots
              I was debating on whether or not to include a great Prime Rib recipe
              here, but not everyone eats meat.  Since just about everyone loves
              chicken, however, this is a fabulous recipe for a wide variety of taste
              preferences.  This chicken is pan seared and then baked for a short
              period, making it a great opportunity to spend less time in the kitchen 
              and more time with your Valentine.  This recipe may sound complicated,
              but it is actually very easy, for even the most modest of cooks.
              Try my Pan Seared Herb Chicken recipe for your Valentines dinner.  Its’ easy!

 Dessert:  Strawberry Cheesecake Minis

              Perfect portion mini-desserts that can be both rich and lower calorie
              simultaneously.  Making these mini-cheesecakes complete with
              strawberries and drizzled in chocolate  is very easy, and can be done
              a day in advance — just like the mushrooms.  As you are finishing your 
              entree preparations, just drizzle them with chocolate and put them 
              back into the refriderator until you are ready!  The best part about
              this dessert is that is works just as well with sugar substitutes and 
              low-fat options as it does with the real thing!  Here is where you can 
              find the Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe 

A Valentines dinner are not as hard to create as you think!  Do it right, and it can be much more enjoyable dining right at home.


Valentines Dinner menu ideas

Romantic Dinner at home can be more relaxing than going out – if you plan well first

If you are opting to cook a special romantic dinner at home, you will want to create a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.  But creating the right look and setting the mood doesn’t mean simply dimming the lights, it means setting up a personal zone of romance.  Here is how you can do just that:

A romantic dinner starts with candlelight

1.  Candles.   These are usually the first thing people think of when creating a romantic dinner.  Candles come in all kinds of scents, but the most popular scented candle is that of vanilla.  Maybe because it reminds us of home cooking, or perhaps because it is simply a mellow and comfortable scent, but it’s safe to say that  the smell of vanilla is universally loved.  Additionally, vanilla candles are a sure bet when it comes to filling the room with a pleasant aroma that usually won’t clash with whatever food you are serving. 

2.  Prepare the table.  Think about what it would look like if you were dining in a nice restaurant.  Use a white tablecloth, light the candles, and set the place settings.  You can even hang a nice sheet or other lightweight material (like a large tablecloth) from ceiling to floor, to create a cozy little enclave in a corner of a room where you wouldn’t normally eat.

Relax during your romantic dinner by playing music

3.  Music.  Even if you don’t have surround sound, don’t forget that your local cable company probably provides a music channel with the cable service you have. So, in lieu of providing your own favorite tunes from a radio, stereo, or mp3 set-up, check and see what you may already have as a bonus on your television.

4.  Flowers. Nowadays there are flowers for every budget.  Whether you order an extravagant bouquet or simply pick some up at the grocery store (though the quality is usually on the shabby side), flowers are a must-have on Valentines day.

5. Gifts.  Surprising your loved one with a gift is always a plus.  You don’t have to buy an expensive gift to give to your Valentine, either.  Even something as simple as a photo of the two of you or anything that helps remind you both of good times spent together can be enough.  Whether you want something simple and personal, unique or extravagant, there are some really great Valentines Gift Ideas that come in all price ranges.

Valentines Day really comes down to celebrating what you enjoy.  So, take a minute to think of your Valentines favorites, and make your own adjustments from there. *Check out the Valentines dinner post for romantic dinner menu ideas.



Romantic Dinner

Right now many flower delivery sites are offering discounts, but they aren’t on their main site.  You may find “free delivery” or a special price on roses, but sometimes you can get an even better price on flowers by utilizing a discount code.  The same goes for Valentines gift baskets, personalized gifts, and others..  You can easily get an extra 5-20% off just by paying attention to the Valentines ads on unrelated websites.

But what if you don’t know what you want yet?  While the prices may go up on some things (like flowers), most of the discount codes issued are good until Valentines Day.  So, any special code or discount is unlikely to disappear.  But that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute, because they may just run out of what you want to buy.

If you are still trying to figure out what you are doing for Valentines Day, here is where you can find discount codes and gift ideas, as well as a full meal plan if you want to entertain at home.