Culinary Creations for a Perfect Valentine’s Day at Home
Every year, you and your sweetheart go out for dinner to celebrate Valentine’s Day. That’s all well and good, especially if you are lucky enough to find a romantic atmosphere that stokes the fires of love. But why not do something different this year? Why not cook your sweetheart a great Valentine’s Day meal? Better yet, cook the meal together.
There are plenty of great recipe ideas online, recipes that you can put together even if you don’t have any formal training in the kitchen. Below are several ideas based on recipes we found on the All Recipes and Food Network websites. Just remember this: preparation is half the fun of cooking at home. Enjoy yourself whether the result turns out picture-perfect or not.
Valentines Drinks
You’ll likely want to start your Valentine’s Day dinner with a good drink to set the mood. Your drink can be alcoholic or nonalcoholic; it’s your choice. Our suggestions are:
- Milky Way Martini – This lovely Martini is created with vanilla vodka, cream de cacao, and Irish cream. It will awaken your taste buds in preparation for the main course.
- Strawberry Bellini – Strawberries and sparkling wine are combined to create this delicious and aesthetically pleasing drink that you can enjoy prior to your meal or with whatever you have prepared.
- Ginger Champagne – This is one drink that goes well with just about any kind of fish. If you’re planning sushi, Ginger Champagne is the perfect complement.
Valentines Dishes
The main dish you serve for Valentine’s Day dinner should be delicious and filling without being overbearing. You don’t want the evening weighed down by heavy foods. We suggest:
- Lobster Pasta – Any dish that combines tasty lobster with a light pasta works well for Valentine’s Day. Use a butter and cream sauce rather than tomato sauce, though. Lobster and tomato don’t play well together.
- Stuffed Chicken Breasts – Chicken is always a good option for a light meal. This Valentine’s Day, stuff breasts with apricot, your favorite stuffing mix and a little bit of cayenne pepper. You’ll enjoy the flavor in a tender and delicious chicken breast.
- Filet Mignon – For many couples, filet mignon is a rarity. Why not enjoy your favorite filet mignon recipe on Valentine’s Day? All Recipes has a great idea for a filet mignon with a rich balsamic glaze.
Valentines Desserts
Every Valentine’s Day dinner should be topped off with a decadent dessert that sets the mood for the rest of the evening. We recommend the following from the Food Network:
- Chocolate Layer Cake – If you’re a fan of Sweet Genius host Ron Ben-Israel, you’re going to love his chocolate layer cake recipe. Just looking at the pictures is enough to get your mouth watering.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries – Just about anyone can prepare chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine’s Day. All you need are some fresh strawberries and melted chocolate. Melt, dip, and enjoy. It’s just that simple.
- Brownie Tart – What do you get when you combine a traditional brownie recipe with instant coffee and a little bit of extra flour? You get a delicious Brownie Tart that just oozes chocolate decadence.
Make this Valentine’s Day a special day for you and your sweetheart. Rather than going out, spend some time in the kitchen creating a special meal that combines your favorite flavors with the effort it takes for you and your love to work together to create a culinary masterpiece you’ll both enjoy. It could be the best Valentine’s Day ever.