Valentine’s Day is slowly creeping everywhere. The red and green decorations have been replaced with red hearts and pink balloons. Dining out is an option, but the increased restrictions may force you to spend Valentine’s date night at home. There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s even more relaxed and intimate anyway.
And if you’re a guy ready to pop the question, this might be the perfect time to do it. Any girl would fall head over heels in love with a man who could take care of his girl on the most romantic night of the year.
There’s something nurturing and loving about preparing your Valentine’s dinner fare. Going the extra mile and adding personal touches makes it unique and extraordinary. A romantic dinner table set up with candlelight that you decorate with flowers will set the stage for a perfect night.
To help you out, here are easy Valentine’s Day dinner recipes you can prepare:
- Strip Steak With Mashed Potatoes And Gravy
Strip steak is one of the most tender cuts taken from the cow’s short loin, a muscle that does little work; that’s why it’s tender. To cook strip steak according to your date’s preference clearly shows that you’re paying attention to what she wants.
You can never go wrong with strip steak, so whether you’re cooking it rare, medium, medium-well, or well done, it will stay juicy and tender. It will be perfectly presented with great sides like mashed potatoes and gravy. And a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon will complement your meal and liven up your conversations over dinner.
- Heart-shaped Pizza With Your Favorite Toppings
Pizza dough is something you can always prepare ahead of time. Mix and proof the dough overnight inside the refrigerator to prevent over fermentation. What’s more fun is aside from the typical circular shape, you can make heart-shaped pizzas for a more romantic dinner fare.
Impress your loved one with your culinary skills by making artisanal heart-shaped pizzas topped with their favorite toppings. You can also prepare a pizza with your favorite toppings on each side, which would make it more social-media-worthy.
A pizza dinner is best if you plan to have a romantic movie-watching activity. Make sure to check romantic movie ideas online before you put that pizza in the oven so you’ll have hot delicious pizza while you watch classic romantic movies the entire night.
- Spaghetti And Meatballs
Sharing a plate of this classic pasta dish is reminiscent of the love story of the elegant cocker spaniel Lady and the stray mutt Tramp, where they bumped noses after sharing a strand of pasta. The flavorful meatballs tossed in al dente pasta and rich tomato herbed sauce are a no-fail recipe. There’s something warm and endearing with this dish. The familiar taste and homely feeling it evokes reminds you of unconditional love and a comfortable feeling that would compel you to snuggle for the entire night.
- Coq Au Vin
French food is always associated with romance. Coq Au Vin is Chicken in Wine or chicken stew in simpler terms. The name may sound intimidating but it’s a dish anyone can master. This recipe is a one-pot dish popularized by Julia Child and incorporates fundamental, familiar ingredients that may be on your cupboard now.
You may twist the recipe to your preference since the traditional recipe calls for a lot of butter and flour, which might not suit the diet of your loved one. Remember to use a white wine that you would drink in the marinade. Because using a low-quality wine will affect the outcome of your dish. Pair the dish with greens to bring a little freshness to your dinner, or roasted vegetables to add more depth.
- Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is simply a meat and cheese platter artfully arranged on a board along with many components carefully considering their pairing compatibility for an ultimate snacking experience. While the board is mainly used as an appetizer. An elevated and complete board can be a dinner fare that could last throughout the night.
A charcuterie board must contain different cheeses, with hard, soft, and spreadable variety for everyone’s enjoyment. You may choose Manchego for the hard cheese and slice it thinly before arranging it on a rimmed board. You may opt for brie, gorgonzola, and camembert for soft cheese, while for spreadable cheese, cream cheese is always the best choice.
When arranging a charcuterie board, it’s always best to put the cheeses first and follow the odd number rule in placement. For meat, you may choose Salami, mortadella, and prosciutto. The sliced meat may be set in tulips and placed on the board shingled for a prettier effect. The prosciutto, since it’s thin and soft may be arranged in ribbons.
The other wet components, like the pitted olives, dill, and honey, must be placed on ramekins to make the board clean and tidy. The remaining negative space may be filled with nuts like pistachio, cashews, pecans, and fruits like thinly sliced apples, pears, and assorted berries like strawberries and blueberries.
You may also add pieces of dark chocolate for a dramatic effect. Never forget the grapes when assembling a charcuterie board; grapes are a non-negotiable since they perfectly pair with many kinds of cheese and the other components of your platter. Lastly, arrange a variety of artisanal crackers and homemade toasts to complete the board.
Conclusion
Valentine’s date night is more memorable and romantic when done with all the things your loved one wants and dreams about. A perfect dinner should fill your stomach and your heart with great memories and experiences.
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