Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Lifestyle: Dinner ideas for a Date Night at Home

A Valentine Date Night In

Over the last few years, I've come to a realization - I really prefer date nights in. 

While it's nice to get dressed up sometimes and go out for a night on the town, there's definitely a sense of intimacy and coziness that comes when you just stay home. 

With Valentine's day coming up, I thought it was the perfect time to reach out to some of my favourite foodie friends to find out what their date night at home traditions are.
When it comes to figuring out what to make for a special date-night dinner at home, it's nice to get a little inspiration. My friends Solmaz, Krystle and Irene were the perfect ladies to ask - they are amazing recipe creators, food stylists and their blogs are always full of so much incredible culinary (and lifestyle) inspiration! 

Since Cupid's flying around town these days, I also asked them a few other questions just for fun...
  • What's your favourite love song?
  • What's your favourite romantic movie?
  • What's your best relationship advice?
  • Name a couple (celebrity or real life) that you admire and why?
I had so much fun reading their answers and can't wait to try their recipes for myself!

Photo courtesy of Irene Matys

Irene


Irene is a woman after my own heart. How do I know? She's all about the appetizers! Her Charcuterie Board tradition is so adorable, and paired with some wine and a romantic movie - it would be the perfect way to spend a date night at home. Make sure you check out her recipes for some incredible accompaniments to her board- like marinated feta...I can almost taste it now!


Photo courtesy of Irene Matys


Date night in recipe:

Every year we celebrate Valentines with an evening at home. We always have our favourite bubbly, a charcuterie board for two and spend the evening snuggled with a blanket watching our favourite movie. 

Favourite Love Song: As I am an 80’s girl, my favourite love song is Luther Vandross, So Amazing. It was our wedding song as well! 

Favourite Romantic Movie: My favourite romantic movie is Ghost. It’s a tradition every year to watch and of course, Patrick Swayze was one of my celebrity crushes!

Best Relationship Advice: After being married for 16 years and having three girls, Life is hectic with kids activities, work etc. Do or say something  nice to each other everyday! Whether it be a hug, kiss, saying I love you, holding hands, a small note or card in their bag, a text to say thinking of you, will make each other feel special and appreciated. It’s the simple gestures that mean the most!! 

A couple I admire:  I most admire is the love my parents have for each other. They have survived through war, poverty, being refugees to a new country, had to learn a second language and went through all this with two young kids. They stood by each other’s side to make a better life! 

Today, 48 years later, they are happily married, still deeply in love and are inseparable! 


Photo courtesy of thecuriouscreature.com

Solmaz


Solmaz shared a recipe that I've been dying to try since she first posted about it - Thai Pineapple Fried Rice! I can only imagine the blend of the sweet and juicy pineapple with the savoury elements of the fried rice. This is a dish that I think would be right up my alley for date night, or any night of the week!

Photo courtesy of thecuriouscreature.com

Date night in recipe:

"I'm all about having fun food on date nights so my recipe pick would be Thai Pineapple Fried Rice.

We make it almost monthly. For extra romance, go with two spoons and one half pineapple - lol. It's not your typical romantic dish, but hey, we ain't your typical couple :) 

Favourite Love Song: Hymne a L'amour by Edith Piaf - it was our wedding song (first dance)! 

Favourite Romantic Movie: Cinema Paradiso

Best Relationship Advice: Talk about everything. It can be exhausting at times, but it's the key to a long-lasting relationship, in my opinion. 

A couple I admire: My parents. They've gone through so much together (life events that would tear most people apart) and still share a such a strong connection. 

They never focus on material things -- gifts were rarely exchanged in my family -- but they always give each other undivided attention, ultimate respect and unconditional love. 

Together they are the most empathetic and altruistic couple I know. 

Photo courtesy of dineandfash.com


Krystle


Krystle's recipe for - An Eggplant and Three Cheese Lasagna, sounds (and looks) too good to be true! With winter cravings for comfort food, this dish would definitely satisfy you and your honey. 

Date night in recipe:

Krystle's pick for date night in would be a healthier but equally delicious spin on a classic, with her Three Cheese Eggplant Lasagna


Photo courtesy of Dineandfash.com

Favourite Love Song: This is so tough because I have so many! Personally, I think all of the best slow songs came from the 80s, so I’d have to go with: The Cars – Drive, Roxette – It Must Have Been Love, and Sting – Fields of Gold. They all give me goosebumps whenever I listen to them! After the 80s, anything Coldplay.

Favourite Romantic Movie: Pretty Woman

Best Relationship Advice: 
Understand your love languages, and try to give your partner the type of love that he or she understands/wishes to receive.

A couple I admire: Barack and Michelle Obama. You can just tell the mutual respect and admiration they have for each other. I think that’s rare and one of the most important qualities to have in a long-lasting relationship.



A Sweet Finish

So now you have three amazing dishes you could choose to prepare for a special dinner at home,  but don't forget to end with something sweet. My favourite Valentine tradition is a dark chocolate fondue. For dessert, I love to prepare chocolate covered strawberries and enjoy them with my sweetheart. 


Also, just for fun- thought I'd answer some of my own questions too.  My answers are below:

Favourite Love Song: I think I'd go with a classic - The way you look tonight. 

Favourite Romantic Movie: Serendipity. It gives me all the feels every time!

Best Relationship Advice: Know that you are always changing and growing as individuals. Communication is the key to making sure you are growing together. 

A couple I admire: My aunt and uncle - they have so much zest for life, love to travel and even after multiple decades of marriage they appreciate each other openly and enjoy the other person for who they are. Love that!

Date Night at Home

I am definitely going to be trying these incredible recipes for some date nights over the next few weeks. Would love to hear about your date night traditions too! Leave me a comment below and let me know how you spend cozy nights at home.

Happy Valentine's to you and those you love!

XO


2 comments:

  1. it is hard to let such tasty goodies just go to waste, right? Or forget the husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc altogether! How about a dessert perfect for a girls' night in with your bestie? content

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