If you’re struggling with what to get your spouse for Christmas, let me suggest a unique (and fun) gift idea.
Author Christi Silbaugh of Gourmet Cooking for Two has created a terrific cookbook filled with romantic tips and delicious recipes that are sure to enhance your love life. With over 100 high-quality, romance-inducing recipes, you’ll actually enjoy cooking.
She includes a wide array of appetizers, salads, soups, main dishes, side dishes and desserts. Each recipe is accompanied by beautiful photography.
The idea for this cookbook came to her after she and her husband found themselves alone at last after many years of raising kids.
In her own words:
After our youngest child left the nest, my husband and I downsized from our traditional suburb home filled with kids, to a loft in the heart of San Diego’s historic gas lamp district. Instantly I had a lot of adjustments to make. Being so used to cooking for a large crowd, I found I had to completely teach myself how to grocery shop and cook for just two people.
I also wanted to spend my newfound extra time to nurture my husband’s and my relationship, and to keep the romantic flames burning. As we all know, relationships take work. Life isn’t like the movies. There are ups and downs and it takes a whole lot of compromising to make a relationship work. And what about that spark? You know, the one that drew you to each other in the first place. How do you keep that?
As I set out on my journey, I documented what worked and what didn’t – both in our kitchen and in our love life, saving the best recipes and romantic tips to share with you. I hope this book encourages you and motivates you, in your kitchen and in your love life.
Encouragement and motivation are two things we could all use more of. Unfortunately, many believe romance is all about expending a lot of time, energy and money. Not true at all! Cooking together is ideal for those of us living with chronic illness. Not only do we save money by eating at home but we also conserve precious energy by sharing cooking duties and making it fun.
Here are just a few of my favorite recipes and romantic tips from the book:
Avocado Caprese – spend a romantic summer night making wishes on falling stars. Make the second week in August on your calendar. The earth passes through the Perseid meteor belt around August 12th each year, which usually results in spectacular meteor showers for two to three nights.
Chicken Parmesan – buy a tree and invite your partner to plant it with you. Explain that this tree represents the love between you both that will grow over the years.
Asian-Inspired Grilled Flat Steak – never put yourself down. Criticizing and putting yourself down in front of your loved one is a way of insulting his taste. Realize that if they are with you, it’s because they chose you and want to be with you.
Fried Mozzarella Bites – buy a lottery ticket. Give it to your partner with a little note attached, “I hit the jackpot when I met you!”
Crock –Pot Beef Roast – in this day and age, technology is everywhere. There is almost never a time when you aren’t tweeting, facebooking, texting, skyping, or pinning. I have taken steps to turn the media off in the evening. We spend more time walking, playing games, and exploring. I really recommend you try some media free time together. You might be surprised how much turning the media off turns your partner on.
Chocolate Mousse – create a romantic slideshow using old photos of you and your love. Sort pictures by years and events, starting from when you first met until now. Add some romantic music, then set a date for both of you to enjoy it.
Merry Christmas and Bon Appetit!