How to Plan a Romantic Gluten Free Dinner at Home

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and a year ahead full of special anniversaries and relationship milestones, get extra brownie points by knowing how to plan a romantic gluten free dinner at home. Ditch the crowds, reservations, and overpriced food. Instead, pull out all the stops and opt to share quality time and a good meal with someone special without ever leaving the comfort of home.

Advantages to Having a Romantic Dinner at Home

While many couples like to go out to dinner for Valentine’s and special couple-centered occasions, there are advantages to making a dreamy dinner in the comfort of your own home that are hard to beat. Some benefits of planning a romantic gluten-free dinner at home include:

1. No reservations required. Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days of the year for people to eat out, whether it is fine dining at a high-end restaurant or a heart-shaped pizza at the local Italian place. So many people trying to eat out on the same night can make getting reservations or first-come, first-serve tables a major endeavor. When you eat at home, there is no waiting time to be seated, and no loud groups that make it hard to focus on your date.
2. You can save money. The cost of what you serve will likely dictate the expense of the meal. Afterall, a good cut of steak tends to be more expensive than pizza. Still, the cost of buying the ingredients should be less than what you would spend if eating out. Plus, at home, you do not have to factor in gratuity.
3. Peace and quiet. When you whisper sweet nothings into your partner’s ear, they will actually be able to hear them. Restaurants tend to be noisy, whether it is the clanking of silverware and dishes, background music, or an unruly table next to yours. Eating in the comfort of your own home allows for a quieter and more intimate atmosphere that makes it easier for conversation to flow without interruption.
4. Control over the safety precautions taken when preparing gluten-free food. One of the primary concerns of eating out for those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or those who choose to live a gluten-free lifestyle is cross contamination. By working ahead of time with your partner to ensure that the ingredients you are using are gluten free and are made in a thoroughly cleaned and sanitized space, the more peace of mind (and fun) there is to be had.
5. Planning is a love language. Not that nights out on the town aren’t fabulous, but it takes dedication and commitment to plan out a special Valentine’s Day or romantic gluten free meal at home. In other words, your partner will likely appreciate the time it took for you to plan and make a romantic dinner at home instead of simply making a reservation.

How to Plan the Menu for a Romantic Gluten-Free Dinner

Now that it’s clear how romantic it can be to plan a special gluten-free dinner at home, it is time to dive in. To ensure that you don’t leave out any of the most important components, we’ve put together a list to guide you.

• Set the Atmosphere. While cooking a special dinner at home is impressive, it is important to set the atmosphere so that home suddenly becomes an atmosphere or oasis that kindles romance. Some ways to achieve this might be to light some fragrant candles and make the table look fancy with place settings and crystal glasses.
• Create Several Courses. Making a meal gluten-free does not mean skimping on presentation. Wow your significant other by offering several courses. The more quality courses you serve, the fancier and more romantic the meal will feel.
• Plan Your Menu. The next step is to plan out each course. Begin with some sort of gluten-free appetizer that is delicious but small since there are additional courses to follow. Then consider serving up a salad with homemade salad dressing. Next, think about your entrée. Will you choose something that is traditionally gluten-free such as a cut of meat, or will you opt for a gluten-free version of something like pasta? Last, but not least, consider pre-purchasing a delicious gluten free dessert like lemon pound cake, pumpkin bread, chocolate chip or snickerdoodle cookies.
• Make a Shopping List and Buy the Ingredients. Now that you have your menu planned and ready to go, it is time to make a list of what you need to buy. Be sure to order gluten free items in advance to account for shipping time and purchase other menu items at a local grocery store. When unloading the groceries, take note to follow special storage instructions for gluten-free items as some may require refrigeration or freezing.

Don’t Forget to Add a Few Special Touches to Your Evening

You are more than halfway there to planning a romantic gluten-free dinner at home, but there are still a few special touches needed to really wow your partner and make the night one they will remember.

It can help break the ice and make home feel a little fancier to have soft music playing in the background. Think about what type of music your date likes and make a playlist ahead of time so all you have to do is hit play.

There are two things that can make a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day different from the rest of the year, and they are flowers and chocolates. Since not all chocolate candies are gluten-free, those who are unsure may opt solely for the flowers. This will add a beautiful touch to the table.

Whether you are having a glass of milk, sparkling grape juice, or fine wine, serving it in a crystal flute or goblet gives it an air of elegance. Chill drinks ahead of time if needed and serve them in fancy glassware.

While planning a romantic gluten-free dinner at home is sort of a gift in itself, we highly recommend still springing for a card and present to show that this night is special. Cards and gifts do not have to be expensive but should be heartfelt. While the flowers on the table will eventually die, your card and present can live on forever and remind your special someone of this amazing night.

Now that you know how to plan a romantic gluten-free dinner at home for Valentine’s Day or any other special occasion for couples, it is time to get started and make it a night to remember.