Romantic Gestures, Date Ideas, Unique Gifts, Relationship Tips: Spoil Her Blog

It can be intimidating to find romantic recipes. Consider these fine Italian romantic recipes for your romantic dinner plans. While you’re out grabbing the ingredients be sure to pick up fresh flowers and candles. The more romantic elements the better!

Appetizer: Bruschetta

1 loaf Italian bread, sliced
½ sweet onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 large fresh tomatoes, sliced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375F.

Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. In a bowl, mix the onion, garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, oregano, basil, and parsley. Gently toss in the tomatoes.

Top each piece of bread with a tomato slice. Spoon on remaining olive oil and herb mix. Top with feta and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with remaining olive oil.

Bake in oven until cheese melts and bread is lightly toasted.

Entree: Baked Ziti in Mornay Sauce
3 tbsp butter
3tbsp flour
2 ½ cups milk
Dash of Salt
Pepper to taste
Pinch of Nutmeg
6 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
2 tbsp olive oil
1 fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced
2 lbs hot Italian sausage links, cut into ½ inch pieces
1 lb ziti pasta, cooked al dente
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Prepare the Mornay sauce by melting butter in a medium saucepan, over medium heat. Stir in flour. Add milk ½ cup at a time, whisk for smoother consistency. Add in salt, pepper and nutmeg seasonings and stir for 4-6 minutes. Whisk in ½ cup of grated cheese, remove from heat and set to the side.

Add the oil to a large saute pan over medium heat. Add fennel, salt and pepper when oil gets hot. Saute for 3-4 minutes and add sausage continue to saute for 4 more minutes. Then remove from heat.

Mix pasta, sausage and mornay sauce in a large mixing bowl. Pour mixture into a greased 2-quart oval baking dish. Sprinkle cheese over the top and place on the top rack of the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the top is golden.

Dessert: Italian Love Cake

1 18.25 oz package chocolate cake mix
2 pints part-skim ricotta cheese
¾ cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 3.9 oz package of instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup milk
1 12 oz container of frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare cake mix per box directions. Pour into a 9 x 13 x 2 greased cake pan. Set aside.

Combine ricotta cheese, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Blend well, then spread evenly over the cake batter.

For glass cake pan bake at 350 for 75 minutes. For metal cake pan bake at 350 for 90 minutes.

Blend pudding mix and milk until thickened. Blend in whipped topping. Spread over cooled cake.

Wine: Shiraz

Whether using one or all of these romantic recipes, she’ll be impressed at your efforts. For the finishing touches on these romantic recipes, make sure to light candles. Set the mood with more intimate lighting and some romantic background music.