10 Dinner Recipes For Your Valentine’s Date At Home

They say the way to man’s heart is through his stomach, and if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day amidst a pandemic (like what’s happening now), eating out for dinner is something to reconsider. There’s the threat of getting the virus, a long wait to endure, and the huge crowd and loud chatter you have to deal with while enjoying that “intimate” date you oh-so-carefully planned. Uh yes, let’s swipe right and dump that option.

So what’s the next best way to celebrate the ‘sweetest’ day of the year? Well, you can always get takeout from your favorite resto (but everybody’s doing it too, apparently), OR you can wow your sweetheart by going the homemade route and preparing an easy but delicious Valentine’s Day dinner spread for him/her!

Take out the skillets and start wearing those aprons– here are ten easy dinner recipes you can use for a romantic Valentine’s date at home with your partner! Good luck!

Pasta With Vodka Sauce

Let’s tweak this family favorite into a romantic dish for two. Try this pasta recipe and woo your partner into saying “Yes” over and over again!

What You’ll Need:

_{1 lb. rigatoni}
_{2 tbsp. olive oil}
_{3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped}
_{2 shallots, finely chopped}
_{6 oz. can tomato paste}
_{1/4 c. vodka}
_{1 c. heavy cream}
_{Pinch of red pepper flakes}
_{Kosher salt and pepper}
_{1/4 c. finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving}
_Basil

Directions:

_{1)Cook pasta according to package directions
2) Heat olive oil, garlic, and shallots in a pan on medium. Stir until tender. Add tomato paste and stir until deep red and beginning to caramelize.
3) Stir in the vodka and cook until nearly evaporated. Pour in 1/2 cup of pasta water and add the heavy cream. Put in the pan together with red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring until smooth.
4)Reserve a cup of pasta water. Transfer the cooked pasta to the saucepan and add the 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Cook on low, stirring constantly until the pasta is coated with sauce. Fold in 1/4 cup Parmesan and serve topped with additional cheese and basil.}

Classic Bagel Crusted Salmon

Enjoy a flaky roasted salmon dish on a cold, romantic night paired perfectly with a glass or two of your best red wine!

What You’ll Need:

_{1 1/2 lb. skin-on salmon fillet}
_{2 tbsp. olive oil, divided}
_{Kosher salt and pepper}
_{2 tbsp. everything spice blend}
_{1 lemon}
_{1 small bulb fennel, cored and very thinly sliced, plus 1/2 cup fennel fronds}
_{3 scallions, thinly sliced}
_{1/2 c. flat-leaf parsley leaves}
_{1/2 c. cilantro leaves}

Directions:

_{1) Heat the oven to 425°F. Place your salmon on a rimmed baking sheet, skin side down, and rub it with 1 tbsp of oil. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and all of everything spice blend on top. Thinly slice half of your lemon and arrange the pieces around the salmon. Bake the salmon until barely opaque throughout, around 20 minutes.
2) Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemon into a medium bowl. Add the fennel, remaining oil, and 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
3) Toss the fennel with scallions, parsley, cilantro, and fennel fronds just before serving. Serve with salmon and lemon slices.}

Creamy Fettucini

Do you have leftover ham you just can’t seem to get rid of? Use it on this family favorite and have a delicious dinner ready in only 25 minutes!

What You’ll Need:

_{1 lb. fettuccine}
_{1 c. frozen peas}
_{2 tbsp. olive oil}
_{2 leeks, white and light green parts only, sliced}
_{1 medium onion, finely chopped}
_{Kosher salt and pepper}
_{1 clove garlic, pressed}
_{3/4 c. whole milk}
_{4 oz. lowfat cream cheese, cut into small pieces}
_{1/4 c. grated Parmesan}
_{Pinch freshly grated or ground nutmeg}
_{6 oz. thinly sliced ham, torn into pieces}

Directions:

_{1)Cook pasta per package directions. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the peas in a strainer and dunk them into the pasta pot. Set aside. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and return it to the pot.
2) Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-low. Cook the leeks, onion, and 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper and cover until very tender. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3) Whisk in your milk and bring it to a simmer. Add in the cream cheese, Parmesan, and nutmeg. Simmer until slightly thickened. Toss in the pasta and add some reserved cooking liquid if the pasta seems dry. Fold in peas and ham.}

Tequila Steak Tacos

If you’re thinking of skipping the drinks this weekend, use that Margarita to marinate your dinner instead! This delicious Mexican dish will keep your partner impressed and dazzled each time!

What You’ll Need:

Fresh Lime Margaritas

_{3/4 c. tequila}
_{1/2 c. fresh lime juice}
_{1/2 c. Cointreau}

Grilled Tequila Steak Tacos

_{1/2 c. margarita (recipe below)}
_{2 cloves pressed garlic}
_{1 small shallot}
_{1 jalapeño}
_{2 c. cilantro}
_{1 1/2 lb. skirt steak}
_{Salt and pepper}

Directions:

Fresh Lime Margaritas

_{1) In a medium pitcher, combine 3/4 cup tequila and 1/2 cup each fresh lime juice and Cointreau.}

Grilled Tequila Steak Tacos

_{1) In a blender, puree the margarita, garlic, shallot, jalapeño, and cilantro until smooth. Transfer all but 1/4 cup to a resealable plastic bag and marinate skirt steak for at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour.
2) Remove the steak from the marinade, pat it dry, and season with salt and pepper. Grill the steak on medium-high to desired doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.
3) Let it rest, then slice. Serve with tortillas, avocado, radishes, sour cream, and reserved sauce.}

Shrimp Curry with Rice

Delight your partner with a party in a pan! The colorful dish seasoned in ginger, garlic, and curry powder is a crowd favorite, and we’re sure your beau is going fall head over heels for it, too!

What You’ll Need:

^{1 tbsp. olive oil}
^{1 large onion, finely chopped}
^{Kosher salt and pepper}
^{1 1/2 tbsp. grated peeled fresh ginger}
^{2 cloves garlic, finely chopped}
^{1 tbsp. curry powder}
^{1 c. long-grain white rice}
^{1 lb. medium peeled and deveined shrimp}
^{1 c. frozen peas, thawed}
^{1 c. fresh cilantro, chopped}
^{Lemon wedges, for serving}

Directions:

_{1) Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the onions, 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper, and cook covered, stirring occasionally until tender. Add your ginger and garlic and stir. Mix in the curry powder.
2) Add the rice and stir carefully, coating it in the onion mixture. Pour in 2 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes, covered.
3) Fold in the shrimp and peas into the rice to cook. Make sure the shrimps are opaque throughout and the rice is tender.
4) Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the cilantro. You may serve with lemon wedges if desired.}

Lemon Chicken with Roasted Broccoli

Are you looking for a sweat-free recipe for Valentine’s dinner? There’s a good chance you already have all the ingredients you’ll need for this delicious chicken dish!

What You’ll Need:

_{1 1/2 lb. broccoli, cut into florets}
_{2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced}
_{3 tbsp. olive oil}
_{Kosher salt and pepper}
_{4 6-0z boneless, skinless chicken breast}
_{1 c. all-purpose flour}
_{1 lemon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces}
_{2 tbsp. lemon juice}

Directions:

_{1) Heat the oven to 425°F. Toss broccoli and garlic with 1 Tbsp oil and 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper and roast on a rimmed baking sheet.
2) Pound chicken breasts to even thickness and season it with 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper and coat in flour. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of oil on medium-high and cook the chicken until golden brown. Nestle the chicken amidst the broccoli and roast it until cooked through and tender (make sure that broccoli is golden brown, as well).
3) Return the skillet to medium heat and add the remaining oil and lemon pieces. Cook until beginning to brown and add lemon juice, 1/3 cup of water, and stir, scraping any browned bits. Spoon over chicken and serve with the broccoli.}

New York Strip Steak

Are you aiming to have a ‘fancy’ date at home? Well then, you can’t leave out serving steak! Go for the classic and popular NY strip steak and cook up a quick and delicious better-than-restaurant quality weekend steak dinner for two!

What You’ll Need:

_{1 1/2-inch strip steak (about 3/4 pound)}
_{Kosher salt and pepper}
_{2 tsp. olive oil}
_{4 cloves garlic, in skins}
_{1 sprig fresh rosemary}

Directions:

_{1) Heat the oven 425°F and heat your medium cast-iron on medium-high. Season your steak with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the oil to your skillet and put in the steak, garlic, and rosemary. Cook the steak until browned.
2) Transfer your skillet to the oven and roast the steak until desired doneness is reached. Transfer the steak to your cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve the steak with your preferred sides.}

Vegetable Ramen

If you’re on a meatless diet, then serve this veggie dish up for this weekend’s Valentine’s dinner! A hot bowl of ramen on a cold night? Yes, count us in!

What You’ll Need:

_{3 scallions}
_{1 3-oz piece ginger, peeled and very thinly sliced}
_{5 tbsp. low-sodium tamari or soy sauce}
_{6 oz. ramen noodles}
_{6 oz. shiitake mushroom caps, thinly sliced}
_{2 heads baby bok choy, stems thinly sliced and leaves halved lengthwise}
_{4 oz. snow peas, thinly sliced lengthwise}
_{1 tbsp. rice vinegar}
_{2 soft-medium boiled eggs, peeled and halved}
_{1/2 c. cilantro sprigs}
_{Thinly sliced red chile, to taste}

Directions:

_{1) Slice white parts of scallions and place in a large pot with ginger and 8 cups water. Bring the water to a boil.
2) Stir in the tamari and add the noodles and cook per package directions. Add in the mushrooms and bok choy, 3 minutes after adding noodles. Remove the pot from heat and stir in snow peas and vinegar. Serve soup with cilantro and red chile. You may add some egg and scallion greens if you wish.}

Chicken Marsala

Are you a big fan of mushrooms? Then you’re in for a mushroom-studded chicken dish! The good news is, it only takes 30 minutes to make this masterpiece!

What You’ll Need:

_{4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 6 ounces each}
_{3 tbsp. flour}
_{1 10-ounce package sliced cremini mushrooms}
_{1 large shallot}
_{1 clove garlic}
_{1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth}
_{1/2 c. marsala wine}

Directions:

_{1) Pound the chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness. Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and lightly coat with flour. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet on medium and cook chicken until golden brown, and transfer to a plate.
2) Finely chop the shallot and garlic. Then, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Cook the sliced cremini mushrooms on medium-high until golden brown. Add the chopped shallot and garlic and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3) Add the low-sodium chicken broth and Marsala wine to the skillet along with the browned chicken and its juices, and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with sautéed spinach.}

Beef Stroganoff

The ‘sweetest’ night of the year deserves a bowl of your favorite comfort food! Redefine this famous creamy pasta dish and have a simple yet scrumptious dinner date with your one and only!

What You’ll Need:

_{2 tbsp. olive oil}
_{10 oz. cremini mushrooms (sliced)}
_{Kosher salt}
_Pepper
_{1 lb. lean beef sirloin (thinly sliced)}
_{2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)}
_{2 tbsp. Dijon mustard}
_{1/2 c. dry white wine}
_{3 1/2 low-sodium beef broth}
_{8 oz. fusilli pasta}
_{3 tbsp. crème fraîche or sour cream}

Directions:

_{1) Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high. Add the cremini mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, then transfer to a bowl.
2) Return the pan to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season the thinly sliced lean beef sirloin with salt and pepper and cook until no longer pink. Stir in garlic and the Dijon mustard.
3) Add the dry white wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits. Add in the low-sodium beef broth and bring to a simmer. Mix the fusilli pasta and mushrooms with their juices and simmer until pasta is al dente. Lastly, add in the crème fraîche or sour cream and season with salt and pepper.}

Social Media Post:

Ditch your plans of eating out🏪 for dinner this Valentine’s Day weekend and go for the homemade route instead!👩‍🍳🏠

Cook any of these 10 Easy Dinner recipes🍴 and impress your beau💘 with a scrumptious spread.😋

📌Click the link to read more➡

One response to “10 Dinner Recipes For Your Valentine’s Date At Home”

Geri Lawhon

February 13, 2021 at 6:55 am

They all look great, but the one I like the most would be Classic Bagel Crusted Salmon.

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