If the idea of rustling up a romantic dinner for two sounds about as much fun as a weekend in Fukushima, you’d be well advised to invest in a recipe book. Forget pizza takeaways or baked beans on toast. Women think cooking is very sexy. Like a back rub, it shows you’re interested in taking care of her. But your date isn’t going to remove her underwear just because you’ve splurged on wine that doesn’t come in a box.
Presentation is key. Few women relish the prospect of settling in among the pizza crusts on your couch so linen napkins, silverware, and glasses that didn’t originally contain plant cuttings are essential.
Cocktails are a great ingredient in any gourmet evening, since they reduce inhibitions and allow your guest to claim she had no idea what she was doing the next morning.
Like any successful campaign, your culinary seduction requires strategy and attention to detail, but fret not, gentlemen. Whet her appetite with these fail-safe recipes for seduction
Set the Scene
Clean up as you cook. Stack the pans in the sink to soak. You want your culinary expertise to seem cool and effortless: Jamie Oliver rather than Charlie Sheen. Lay the table with linen, your best cutlery and candles. Choose some good house, jazz or classical music. Hip-hop or rock could ruin the romantic mood.
Pop Her Cork
Start the evening with a classic cocktail like a martini. Apart from the olives, a good martini glass is key. Switch to wine at dinnertime. Basic rule of thumb: the redder the meat, the redder the wine. White wine best complements fish. If she likes bubbly, most supermarkets have some excellent sparkling wines that won’t break your bank balance.
Mussel In
Hors d’oeuvres are like foreplay: You savour all the little nibbly bits while anticipating the main course. Appetizers should be simple. Prawn cocktails or crab with avocado are good options but check first that she’s not allergic to seafood. Fresh oysters sprinkled with caviar will score major points. The aphrodisiacal oyster is a sexy appetizer.
The Main Event
Do whatever you can in advance so that things are well under control by the time she arrives. Good choices might include grilled lobster tails, pepper steaks or even spaghetti bolognaise, if that’ s your forte. Always serve her first, and don’t snatch the biggest piece for yourself. Chew with your mouth closed and use your napkin, not the back of your hand, to wipe your lips.
Presentation Rules
Arrange food attractively. Warm plates in the oven if you’re serving hot food. Fresh herbs always enhance presentation so sprinkle chopped parsley or dill over the plate. Serve small portions. Let her ask for more.
Pudding Out
Make dessert well in advance because nothing breaks the rhythm of an evening more than frantic forays into the kitchen. Try strawberries and cream, or better still, chocolate mousse. Cheese and biscuits are another good option.
After Dinner Snifter
A cognac is a way for both of you to sit back, relax, and marvel at your culinary skills. Just resist the urge to unbutton your trousers after the big feed. If you’ve sufficiently tantalized her tastebuds, she’ll do that for you. Salut!
