Quick and Easy Date Night Food #datenight #dineathome #avoidthecrowds #foodislove

If you're like Michael and I, date night is something you enjoy together! It's fun to get dressed up and go out for a nice restaurant meal...but sometimes we like to stay home, put on some nice music, and enjoy a quiet meal at home. Today, The Weekend Gourmet's correspondent is sharing some great ideas for putting together an at-home date night menu...with suggestions for Starters, Main Dishes, and Desserts. This article may contain affiliate links.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Date night is the ultimate way to spend some quality time with the one you love. If you’re planning a date night at home rather than heading out to a restaurant -- but you don’t know what to cook -- the process can be very daunting. But it doesn’t have to be! You simply need to prepare what you’re going to cook in advance...and the rest will come naturally. Whether it’s a special occasion like Valentines Day this week -- or if you simply want to show your partner how much they mean to you -- here are some suggestions for starters, main dishes, and desserts that will definitely wow them.

STARTERS

To start off your meal, you want something that’s light and delicious. Of course, what you select depends on you and your partner’s tastes. To help you, here are three different suggestions for starters to get you started (pardon the pun!). 

(1) Scallops

Scallops aren’t only delicious, they're also the perfect starter for your next date night. Served with a tangy balsamic glaze, in a white wine sauce, or simply seasoned and seared, scallops are easy to cook and always a winner.

(2) Charcuterie Plate

Meaty charcuterie plates are another great choice! Ideal for sharing, you can assemble a scrumptious selection of meats from Parma ham...to chorizo and prosciutto. If you really want to go all out, serve your charcuterie board with a glass of red wine and an assortment of cheeses -- such as mozzarella. 

(3) Cheese Fondue

If you or your partner are vegetarian, a warm cheese fondue is a romantic and decadent starter! Fondue is typically served with a bowl of cubed bread, fresh veggies, and other accompaniments for dipping into the melted cheese. It’s a traditional option that’s bound to be a hit on your next at-home date night.

MAIN DISH

Next up on your date night menu is the main dish. You can make your entree as extravagant or as simple as your cooking skills allow. To give you some inspiration, here are four different dishes that you can make as a main dish for your next at-home date night.

(1) Creamy Chicken Florentine

If you love chicken, but are bored of the same old familiar recipes, then why not make a creamy chicken florentine? Served with spinach and finished with melted cheese, this incredible main dish is guaranteed to tantalize the taste buds. There are several recipes for this dish across the Internet. but this creamy chicken florentine recipe definitely stands out from the crowd. 

(2) Steak with Red Wine Sauce

Steak is always a perfect choice for any date night or special occasion. Served with a rich red wine sauce -- along with potatoes and vegetables -- this classic meal is simply delicious.

(3) Shrimp Fettuccine 

If you and your partner love all things seafood-related, then shrimp fettuccine is an easy-to-make, satisfying dish that’s ideal for your at-home date night. Made with a heavy cream and white wine sauce, it’s comfort food at its best. Simply add a salad and warm French bread, and you have a complete meal!

(4) Four-Cheese Marinara 

This is an excellent main dish pairing with the vegetarian cheese fondue starter! Four-cheese marinara is a wonderful main dish that your taste buds will love. Cheeses used can include classic mozzarella, fontina, parmesan, ricotta, etc. Rich and warming, this pasta dish is perfect for a Wintry date night, served with a glass...or two!...of red wine.

DESSERT

Be sure to finish off your date night meal on a sweet ending with dessert! Although you can buy pastries and other desserts at a bakery, it’s always more satisfying to create a decadent dessert from scratch! Here are two great ideas.

(1) Melt-in-the-Middle Chocolate Cake

Who doesn’t love chocolate cake -- especially when it has a warm chocolate sauce that oozes out when you cut into the cake? This decadent recipe can be served with whipped cream -- or ice cream -- and fresh fruit.

(2) Red Velvet Cookies

In the last few years, red velvet has rapidly grown in popularity. Why not create delicious red velvet cookies for your next at-home date night? Warm-from-the-oven cookies are a fabulous way to end your date night. They're not complicated to make...and they're ideal for taming a sweet tooth!