This delicious menu is tailor-made for twosomes—no math necessary when planning your ingredients, and no need to deal with crating up leftovers after the meal. If you both like to cook, get in the kitchen with your partner, and make meal prep a joint effort. If there’s one thing that brings people together more than eating a meal together, it’s making it together.

While this meal reads super special in its presentation at the table, it’s surprisingly easy to make, and many of the elements can be prepared ahead. Start the night with a refreshingapple-based sangría. Then move on to the main events. Oysters and rack of lamb are classic romantic dinner choices, but here, they’re given a modern makeover. Theoysters are bathed in a mignonetteflavored with blood orange and then sprinkled with zingy Tajín. Thelamb is rubbed with an intoxicating cocoa-and-paprika spice blendthat picks up a bit of char from searing in a hot skillet before being finished in the oven.Roasted vegetablesand anIsraeli couscous saladbring vibrant color and flavor to the plate. Rounding out the meal are beautifulruby-hued red-wine poached pearswith the obligatory (but always appreciated) drizzle of chocolate.