Chapter 5
The Menu
The Appetizer:
This sets up the night. There are times that
the appetizer is so good and so romantic that you
enjoy it, finish your wine, and go right for dessert.
A cold antipasti with the right mix of ingredients
could be the whole meal. Appetizers, hot or cold,
are meant to be eaten slowly. Feed each other, enjoy
each other, savor the moment. “Life is not the amount
of breaths you take; it’s the moments that take your breath away.” I
saw that in a movie. One of the keys to a great night is keeping everything neat and clean as
you go. This is very simple; just keep loading the dishwasher after every course or wash by
hand. If you have to keep using the knives or cutting board, just wash and reuse. Keep a damp
washcloth close, and continually wipe down the counter and prep areas. If you do this, when
dinner is done, the kitchen is clean, just one less thing to think about.
Main Course:
There are two ways to serve the main course. You can
plate each dish with a fancy garnish and serve it to your
spouse waiter-style (a real turn-on for the ladies), or you
can serve the meal family-style. This is when the food is
plated on a big platter and served from it. You don’t eat off
the platter, although that can work very nicely if you sit
close and feed one another. It can be very romantic
and sensual.
Dessert:
This is usually made before dinner or bought at your favorite pastry shop. The best ideas
for dessert are simple ones. Keep it light and sweet. Strawberries with chocolate sauce are my
favorite. This time of night, dessert has two meanings, so choose a simple dessert, and enjoy
it in your favorite place. Keep the music playing and make some of your own.
Salads:
Always a good idea. Keep them light with a nice
dressing. You can be very creative with salads that
can be served with the appetizer. If you make a cold
antipasto, use a light salad as the base and build from
there.
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