It has become normal for us to dine in more often these days. To stay safe tonight, I decided to create a romantic Valentine’s dinner for two at home. We are indulging in some lovely vegan recipes along with a beautiful grazing charcuterie board on the menu. Let get started with the evening itinerary and tips for a great Valentine’s dinner for two.

Grazing Vegan Cheese Board

While cooking the main course, we started with a Charcuterie board Vegan Style for our appetizers. Lately, I have been finding lovely dips at Trader Joe’s and a variety of matured vegan cheeses from Violife at my local market. We completed the rest of the board with various fruits and an assortment of chips and crackers. If you happen to take a trip to Trader Joe’s, check out the spreads section as they have many different options to choose from. The two displayed below are eggplant garlic spread with sweet red peppers and a classic hummus dip. Both were very delightful.

Nesting Table Set-Up

For this set up I created a nesting table design with my main coffee table and one of my smaller side tables. I wanted to have enough space to hold the charcuterie board platter along with a spot to create a mini valentine’s vignette.

On the Menu

The main course was simple and very satisfying. We fried oyster mushrooms, sautéed asparagus marinated in olive oil, and special seasonings with all-natural wild rice as a side dish.

Drinks

We were able to make this day memorable and eventful even though we stayed home by sourcing local vendors to create our drinks and desserts. This made the evening even more special. Just in case you don’t have time to special order a drink, grab your favorite ice bucket and include a dessert and dinner wine of your choice.

Dessert

Finally, no full-course dinner is complete without a fabulous dessert. My companion had a beautiful cake delivered to us by one of our local bakers in town. The heart-shaped cake was specifically ordered vegan style. The flavors were vanilla strawberry combo with white icing.

Key Tips to Create the Perfect Night In

• White Tablecloth: A definite must-have, this item elevates the date night to a whole new level. It provides the perfect restaurant atmosphere.
• A special Drink: To create a special moment, pick a drink you remembered having a very nostalgic moment and recreate this drink for this occasion.
• Memorable dessert: a great way to close the palate for the evening is with a great dessert; perhaps you can choose one of your favorite baked goods.
• Candlelight instantly changes the mood and ambiance like most dim-lit restaurants you would patron in the evening. Consider the lighting options as your creating your envisioned environment.
• Use your Side tables or Coffee tables: Look for a different spot in your home to have appetizers or dessert. It provides a great sense of excitement for the evening as you change locations.
• Create the atmosphere you desire: Lastly, look for ways to make the evening more memorable by creating the atmosphere you desire to experience. This year, we were looking to create a high-quality restaurant experience at home since we were not comfortable with dining out. With all the elements listed above, I felt like we created a special evening. I hope you enjoyed these tips. If so, please share with your loved ones.

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