Valentine’s Dinner at Home: An Easy and Delicious Recipe for Two

For the ladies out there who prefer a more lowkey Valentine’s, but still want to celebrate, making Valentine’s dinner at home is the way to go. These recipes are easy, quick, and packed with flavor – gather your ingredients, light some candles and enjoy a wonderful evening for you, your partner and your tastebuds!

What is a good dinner for Valentine’s Day?

The answer to this question will depend on your personal tastes, but as a general rule of thumb, there are a few elements that make a meal more suitable for a romantic evening.

1. Make an easy Valentine’s dinner. You don’t want to spend your entire evening in the kitchen slaving away over the stove. Pick recipes that can be made relatively quickly so that you can sit down and enjoy.
2. Use minimal cooking utensils. You know what’s an excellent mood killer? A kitchen that looks like a tornado just went through it. Complicated recipes often use more dishes, so try to pick a recipe that can be made in just one or two pans to keep things simple.
3. Avoid overly messy meals. Even if you and your partner are perfectly comfortable slurping away in front of each other in old sweats while you watch TV, Valentine’s dinner may not be the best night for that. If a romantic evening is what you’re aiming for, go with a dish that isn’t quite as messy.

How to make a romantic dinner at home?

Beyond cooking a meal, there are other steps to be taken to truly make an evening romantic.

1. Turn on romantic music. A good playlist can make such a difference. Whether you love R&B or jazz, put on music that makes you feel relaxed and flirty.
2. Create ambiance with layered lighting. No overhead lights allowed! Use smaller table and floor lamps and candles to create a warm and romantic environment for your valentine’s dinner.
3. Dress up a little. We’re not all the “go all out” types, but your usual sweats can take a night off! Wear whatever makes you feel sexy, while still staying comfy.
4. Have cocktails before dinner or during appetizers. Even if you’re zero alcohol, a themed cocktail or mocktail is another great way to make the night feel more special.
5. Share a dessert. End the night on a sweet note with a dessert – homemade or store bought!

Valentine’s dinner: The Appetizer

This Valentine’s Day, treat your special someone to a romantic appetizer that is sure to make their heart skip a beat. Feta dip in the shape of a heart, paired with roasted tomatoes and a baguette for dipping, is an appetizer that not only looks beautiful but also tastes amazing. The creamy feta cheese dip pairs perfectly with the sweet and savory roasted tomatoes, while the crunchy baguette adds a delicious texture. Enjoy this delicious appetizer with a glass of your favorite wine and you’ll have a romantic meal to remember!

Heart-Shaped Feta Dip

Start your Valentine's dinner off with this easy to make feta dip, paired with roasted tomatoes and a baguette for dipping.

• Blender or food processor

• 4 oz Feta cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2-3 tbsp plain yogurt (depends on consistency)
• 1 clove garlic
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• 1 package cherry tomatoes
• 1 baguette

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place them on a baking sheet lined with tin foil. 

2. Drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for about 20-25 minutes.

3. Put the feta, garlic, plain yogurt and oil in a food processor, or a blender if you don't have a food processor. Pulse the blender/food processor to make the mixture smooth. 

4. Add salt and pepper to taste and the third tablespoon of plain yogurt if the consistency is too thick. If you can't get it to a good consistency, add just a little bit of water. 

5. Put the mixture on a plate (in the shape of a heart, if you're feeling cute!), and place the roasted tomatoes around the feta dip. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the dip.

6. Cut the bread into thin slices and place around the edge of the plate. Toast the slices of bread (10 minutes in the oven) first if you want more crunch!

appetizer, baguette, feta dip, heart shaped, roasted tomatoes, valentines day

Valentine’s Dinner: the main Course

The creamy sauce paired with the smoky notes of the roasted vegetables will make for the perfect meal to share. Enjoy the Valentine’s Day dinner with your special someone and savor the delicious flavors of this rich and creamy carbonara with roasted vegetables.

Vegetarian carbonara with roasted brussel sprouts and tomatoes

This delicious, rich carbonara with roasted vegetables pairs well with a glass of pinot grigio. Don't forget to cheers!

• 1/2 box fettuccine pasta
• 15 brussel sprouts
• 1 box cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded gruyere or swiss cheese
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cut the cherry tomatoes and brussel sprouts in half and place them on a baking sheet lined with tin foil. Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes and brussel sprouts and season with salt and pepper. Bake for about 20-25 minutes.

3. While the veggies bake, boil water to cook the fettuccine. 

4. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and sautée until golden, about 10 minutes.

5. Whenever the pasta is ready, drain it and set it aside. Save about 1 cup of pasta water to use in the sauce. 

6. Whisk the 4 eggs, heavy cream, cheese, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Turn the heat on the pan down to low and slowly add in this mixture, mixing it with the onions and garlic.

7. Add in the pasta and toss it in the sauce for a few minutes until fully coated. Add the pasta water to make the sauce silkier. 

8. Once the pasta is thoroughly coated, serve in shallow bowls and top with the brussel sprouts and tomatoes. 

9. Grate extra cheese on top before serving.