A romantic gesture on Valentine’s Day goes far beyond sending a bouquet of stunning fresh flowers and a romantic gift.  Even if you can’t spend the whole day together with your loved one, you can always make your evening that much more special by preparing a romantic meal.  If you’re wondering what to make that will please your partner, keep reading for some great ideas.
Fancy a fondue?
Fondues are great no matter which one you choose.  Your traditional oil fondue will mean that you can chop up all of your favourite raw ingredients, prepare some side dishes and set up to eat.  Meats that work well include chicken, beef and pork.  Vegetables like potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms and cauliflower are also delicious.  Serve your fondue with some delicious savoury rice, a French loaf and sauces of your choosing.
For a cheese fondue, you will need to cook your dippers.  Great dippers include crusty breads, lightly steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, zuchinni etc), mushrooms, potatoes, cured meats and even certain fresh fruits (seedless grapes, apple or pear).
A chocolate fondue is a scrumptious dessert option and you can dip fruit, biscuits, marshmallows and other sweet treats.
Seafood starters
There’s nothing like a seafood starter to warm your partner up to the idea of a romantic evening.  Consider oysters, prawns or even a shrimp cocktail served in a lettuce leaf lined cocktail glass.
Main course
For your main course, you could put together a full roast with all the trimmings.  That means, roasted chicken (beef or pork depending on your preferences), roast potatoes and steamed vegetables with gravy on the side.
Alternatively, your main course could be a bit more simple (to leave ample space for dessert).  Bake your own chicken pot pie or soufflé.
If you’re looking for some real comfort food, look no further than pasta!  Be it spaghetti carbonara, lasagne or another tasty favourite, you can never go wrong with pasta!
Dessert
Always leave room for dessert!  If you’re not sure about how much you will be able to eat, you could serve a chocolate fondue.  Alternatively, you could bake your favourite pie, tart or mousse.
Another great alternative is to blend some vanilla ice cream with Kahlua, pour into a wine glass, slide in a straw and sprinkle some shaved chocolate on top.
Don’t forget to choose the perfect bottle of wine based on the foods you choose for your starter and main course.  This way the flavours will all be beautifully complimented and nothing will be overpowered.  Serve coffee after dinner and enjoy the rest of your romantic evening together.  Irish coffee goes down particularly well after any meal!