SMALL WINS+: TABLE FOR TWO
Did someone say Valentine's Day?
Hello! Welcome to today’s SW+ all about cooking for the one you love (this is a paid subscriber only-edition of the newsletter). Each month I tackle a big topic in one go, so that you have these handy reference guides at your fingertips — e.g. on kitchen organisation, on making and cooking pasta, on all the ways to prepare potatoes and so on. Thank you for being here.
I’ll be honest: I’m not a big Valentine’s Day person — there’s nothing less romantic to me than forced romance (and also, yes, familial and platonic love are just as valid). But whilst you will never catch me going out to a restaurant on the 14th of February, the following is still true: it is never a bad time to cook a meal for someone that you love.
Celebrating those that you value in your life is a pretty special thing, and cooking them a meal is possibly the most wholehearted way of conveying that care: there’s something about someone taking the time to plan and prepare an experience for you (an act of service), present the outcome (the gift) and then join you in that experience (quality time) that makes for a pretty special memory.
So in the spirit of cooking for one another, I’m sharing a couple of delicious menus for two that you could cook for your other half, or a dear friend, or even your mum. One is perfect for a cozy winter night in, the other is a flirtatious summer affair that recalls summer jaunts to Europe and makes the most of seasonal peaches. That’s not all: at the bottom of this post there’s an index of sexy recipes — ones that I have tried and loved that would be perfect for a date night — as well as a playlist.
When it comes to date-night cooking, the rules are simple: don’t go too heavy, don’t go too garlicky (it’s a hard pass on the garlic bread) and keep it free of peril — which is to say that it’s probably not the time to cook a whole crab, or opt for something ultra-spicy, or serve up a dish that’s liable to get stuck in your teeth (best to steer clear of corn on the cob, spinach and chewy caramel). Finally, if the purpose of your meal is romance, it really does pay to set the mood — so we touch on that too. I hope this inspires you to share a special moment with someone who’s important to you this month.
Love,
Alexina
P.S. When it comes to the month of February, I’ve always been far more excited about Pancake Day than Valentine’s Day — but with the dates landing quite strangely this year, Shrove Tuesday is actually in March. All of this to say that next month’s 101 will about pancakes, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
SETTING THE MOOD
As we know, romance is really all about the build-up, so here are a few thoughts on the best way to set the mood.
1/ Lighting
When it comes to romancing anyone, lamps and candles are your best friend (the least sexy thing you could do is turn on the overhead lights).
I would go as far as to say that candles are essential: the simple act of lighting one signals a shift in mood. Even a little tealight will make a difference.
I typically love a scented candle, but date night is the one time to avoid them: a lot of what we ‘taste’ is actually what we’re smelling, so having a strongly-scented candle burning whilst you’re making and serving a meal will interfere with the flavour of the food.
A better option is beeswax candles, which are superior for 3 reasons:
they are non-toxic
they have a lovely natural but very subtle smell
they give off the most gorgeous golden glow
I particularly love these pillar ones, which are beautiful and burn very evenly, but for candle holders these tapered ones are my go-to.
2/ Tablescaping
There is no need to go overboard — too much fussing is the opposite of sexy — but a tablecloth + a candle + elegant glassware will take you far.
In winter, I love a linen tablecloth — it’s smart without being too formal — whilst in summer, it can be fun to evoke holidays abroad by leaning into pattern and brighter colour.
From a glassware perspective, a fancy cocktail glass and thin-edged wine glasses will make all the difference to the drinking experience.
Wine connoisseurs might like to indulge in the Riedel Veritas range, but for something a little more everyday that still has the requisite thinness, LSA is often a good bet. It’s also worth mentioning that if you entertain a lot and are happy to buy glasses in a large quantitu, then you can get Riedel glasses for a lot less if you buy directly from a catering supplier. For example these Riedel rocks glasses would cost you £32.50 for 2 in Selfridges but ‘only’ £74.38 for 12 in Nisbets.
Meanwhile, for affordable cocktail glasses these Nic and Nora glasses by Bartender Novecento — which I came across when working in restaurants — are great. They are classic, elegant and decent value at £22 for 6.
Duralex also deserve a shout-out here for making affordable and practical glassware that is nevertheless très chic. I use these Gigogne tumblers for water, desserts and as tealight holders — they are a multi-tasking hero.
3/ Foreplay
If you aren’t the most confident cook, I have good news for you: even sexier than cooking for your partner is cooking with them.
And if you can, you should make a day of it…
Plan what you’re going to make together.
Indulge in the romance of a farmer’s market: hand-pick your vegetables from a rainbow display, stop to sample different cheeses or fancy olive oils.
Head to a wine shop and select a bottle together — maybe even taste a couple of wines whilst you’re there.
Later, as the sun starts to set, pour yourselves a cocktail, pres play on your favourite music.
Now get to work on the meal.
A COSY WINTER MENU
This menu is pure cozy winter vibes, with a cocktail that celebrates rosemary, a slow-cooked centrepiece and silky, boozy little chocolate pots to finish you off.
A cozy winter menu
Rosemary gimlet
Vermouth-braised leek crostini
Osso buco
Served with parmesan-saffron ‘orzotto’ & gremolata
Rum-spiked chocolate budinos