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Romantic Dinner - Chocolate Fondue – Hot Sweets, Healthy Treats

As more and more men become comfortable in the kitchen, traditional romantic dinners at a restaurant have gone by the wayside. Lady friends are invited to join them for a meal not soon to be forgotten.

Whether married or unmarried, an invitation to the meal is a key point. Make sure she knows that this is special, that this is for her. Give her a special card with a romantic poem letting her know the date and time of dinner. Send her a bouquet of flowers asking her to join you for this special occasion.

Don’t worry if you never learned to cook. Cooking classes can be found at most community colleges and some caterers and restaurants also offer them as well. Planning the meal does not need to be difficult. You need to know her likes and dislikes and if she has any allergies, but after that the sky is the limit. Dinner does not have to be fancy. If you are comfortable grilling a steak that is great! Add a salad and some crusty French bread and a baked potato and you have a meal. Make dessert special, chocolate fondue is especially easy and very romantic. After all, chocolate is an aphrodisiac. Here is a great fondue recipe:

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup of heavy whipping cream, reserve ¼ cup to thin if fondue gets too thick
• 4 bittersweet chocolate bars, chopped, 31/2 oz. each
• 2 tablespoons of Amaretto or Frangelico liqueur, (optional)
• ¼ cup finely chopped hazelnuts or almonds, optional

Directions:

1. Heat ½ cup cream in heavy non-reactive saucepot over medium heat until cream comes to a low boil.
2. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate. Let stand for 3-5 minutes to soften and then whisk cream and chocolate together.
3. Stir in liqueur and nuts if desired and transfer to fondue pot or put in mixing bowl above a small lit candle.
4. If fondue becomes too thick add reserved cream to fondue one tablespoon at a time.
5. Arrange your dipping items (biscotti, pretzel sticks, strawberries, banana slices, pound cake chunks, fresh cubed pineapple, orange segments) and add fondue forks or skewers for dipping.

Now that your meal is planned you need to arrange the setting. Flowers and candles are always appropriate, but try to be more creative. Think outside the box. Rose petals covering the table offer a unique perspective. Instead of using traditional taper candles, make a candle garden in the center of the table by using pillar candles of different heights. Tealights around the room are another alternative. Make your table look like you have made an extra effort for that very special person no matter what you do.If it is a special occasion like and anniversary or birthday, a gift is the order of the day. Give your gift in an original fashion. Instead of leaving her gift and card at her place at the table, you can plan a treasure hunt for after dinner. Leaving a card with a clue on her plate will make her curious and eager to start the game. Place cards and clues that only you and she would understand throughout the house and let her follow the trail to her big surprise.

After dinner planning is just as important as planning the whole event. Do you want to curl up on the sofa together and watch a romantic movie? How about dancing arm in arm under the stars? What about lounging on pillows in front of the fireplace and consuming your fondue there while listening to your favorite music? Remember chocolate isn’t just for eating.

Not hot enough? Well check out these articles that beg to differ:

• Chocolate Aphrodisiacs
• Chocolate and Sexual Desire
• Chocolate an Aphrodisiac

Not healthy enough? Well check out these articles that beg to differ:

• Chocolate is Fattening but Worth it!