Valentine's Day is coming up and you haven't planned a romantic outing to charm your sweetheart? Does the freezing weather make you want to snuggle up in slippers instead? Perfect timing! We've prepared a little guide for the perfect romantic evening at home! If you're a parent, you'll probably want to leave the kids with Grandma. However, Grandma had plans with Grandpa. No problem! You can easily plan a romantic dinner for two later in the evening, once the little ones are in bed. It might be worth being hungry a little longer so you can gaze into each other's eyes and talk about anything and everything without worrying about one person's glass of juice or the other's tomato sauce mess!

A minimum of preparation!

First, the atmosphere: a minimum of prior organization is essential! It's not easy to let yourself go in the romance of a romantic date at home when everything around us reminds us of the many daily tasks that await us the next day… That's why we plan ahead by clearing the house of everything that can distract us from the primary goal of the evening: romance.

Out of sight, the baskets of clothes to fold and the dirty dishes! If there isn't enough time to make the whole house shine, we focus our energy on the rooms where we plan to spend time together: the kitchen and dining room if we have a meal for two in mind, the living room if we're heading towards a movie night… and the bedroom, whatever the plans!

Decorate my friend!

When it comes to decor, simple touches can be enough to transform a room you use every day into an inviting and charming place. No need to raid the aisle for little plastic cupids to give your home a festive feel! This can be as simple as a bouquet of flowers on the table (or better, a flowering plant that can then be integrated into your decor in a lasting way), a few candles, of course, but also pieces that you generally reserve for special occasions: the crystal wine carafe, your large porcelain serving platter, that pretty vase you received as a gift...

A little bit of music!

Plan a soundtrack that suits both of your tastes but is discreet enough to allow for conversation. Avoid clichés like " Je t'aime, moi non plus " (I love you, me neither). Think about what your partner enjoys listening to and songs that hold special meaning for you as a couple. Don't feel like thinking about it? Online music streaming sites have curated playlists on romantic themes for hours of musical ambiance.

A small glass

No matter the evening's culinary theme, start with an aperitif to set the mood and give a special touch to your time together. Prepare a new cocktail or an old favorite, or even better, play mixologists and introduce each other to a new concoction. Go all out in honor of Valentine's Day with a chocolate martini, or keep it classic and timeless with an old-fashioned or a gin and tonic.

If cocktails aren't your thing, let yourself be inspired by the apple, the fruit of love, and open one of the many excellent ice ciders from Quebec's terroir (perfect for this winter weather...). Or, if inspiration strikes, celebrate your love with a glass of sparkling wine or chilled rosé!

A meal that drags on

Finally, choose a menu that suits you and that you want to enjoy with your lover. Here, the only rule is to enjoy yourself! Here are our suggestions:

Pizza dinner for two

Why not both get your hands dirty and make a pizza that's perfectly yours? This menu is a couple's activity in itself! Forget the fancy clothes or throw on a loose apron; there's no time to be afraid of getting dirty. With a glass of Chianti in hand, preparing a pizza dinner allows you to sit shoulder to shoulder in the kitchen and have fun inventing a meal without taking yourself too seriously. With a simple dough recipe, prepared in the afternoon, and an improvised sauce made with whatever ingredients you have on hand, you have the foundation for a fabulous meal, to be eaten with your fingers to keep the fun going!


A slow-cooked dish that takes its time while we take ours

A piece of meat simmering all afternoon gives you the leisure to do something other than prepare dinner when aperitif time arrives… Why not share a relaxing bubble bath while the osso buco fills the house with its captivating aroma? Or perhaps share a drink on the icy terrace, snuggled under our coats and a large shared blanket, while a lamb shank braises gently in its port sauce, ready to welcome us back when the cold finally convinces us to return to the warmth?

The classic

A meal that lingers, perfect for passionate discussions. For a cozy atmosphere conducive to confidences, nothing beats a raclette or the very famous and classic fondue, which allows us to prepare each bite one at a time, and exchange glances through the aromatic vapors.

Both types of dishes are quick to prepare and highly adaptable to your tastes: simply take the meats out of the freezer and pair them with a selection of vegetables and cheeses. At suppertime, slice a fresh baguette and sit down to eat. Take your time, lose track of the time, and if there's still room for dessert, dip some fruit in melted chocolate! Enjoy, lovebirds!

sources:
http://www.saq.com/page/fr/saqcom/cocktail/martini-italien-chocolat-ec
http://www.thekitchn.com/ashley-rodriguezs-tips-for-a-romantic-valentines-day-at-home-even-without-a-babysitter-valentines-day-menus-from-the-experts-200119