Here you will find an array of dinners that will have you showing off a little for that special someone this Valentine's Day. From show stoppers to casual, or something with a little worldly flair, I'll have you whipping up something delicious in no time! I even have a couple of drink ideas, one to get ya started and one to end the night on a warm note.
For my Valentine's Day sweet treat insop, CLICK HERE!!
Showstoppers
This recipe for Red Wine Braised Short Ribs takes a little time and planning, but they are totally worth it! The good news...do all the cooking the day before for a super easy meal and minimal clean-up after dinner.
What says romantic more than a great glass of red wine and a delicious homemade pasta dish? Not much. Fall in love with this Homemade Sausage Manicotti!
If you like food that takes you on a trip around the world, this Ahi Tuna Tower is just what you need. Layers of sticky rice, avocado, crab salad, and topped with super fresh marinated tuna. It is one of my very favorite restaurant dishes to recreate at home. And no worries if they turn into bowls, tuna towers are made to be tumbled!
Fire up the grill or get that cast-iron hot and cook your favorite steak. And steak will do, just be sure to serve it with this Steak Butter, a generous brushing of it on top of a freshly cooked steak and you'll be licking your plate clean!
Casual Classics
Ok, when I go casual I go all out on the pasta, so you will notice a theme here. First up, my Giant Meatballs, there is just something about a big meatball in a bowl of pasta that takes me right back to childhood, and I'm here for it!
If you want something a little light to go with a steak, a perfectly seared piece of fish, or my Perfect Grilled Chicken, try this Roasted Tomato Tart. Super simple to make and out of this world tasty!
And the classic of all my favorite classics, this Restaurant Style Alfredo Sauce is all the way cheesy, but in a good way!
Easy One-Pot Wonders
Sometimes even a fancy meal has to boil down to a one-pot wonder. My recipe for Creamy Potato Soup, which can be made dairy-free, is one of my favorite one-pot wonders. And don't sleep on the prosciutto roses, they are SOOO GOOD and make it a little fancy.
This next recipe for Chicken Pot Pie is bar far the easiest one-pot meal that packs THE MOST punch. Simply make the pie filling on the stove and then layer it in a bowl or ramekin between layers of flaky puff pastry. This is a dinner that feels special but takes minimal effort to make.
And for a perfect winter warm-up, if your VDay is going to be a cold one, try my version of Greek Avgolemono. It is a velvety chicken and rice soup with a lemony tart flavor. It is my current favorites soup.
a perfect Before Dinner cocktail
And for a drink that feels a little bit fancy to start the meal try my Pear and Elderflower Sparkling Lemonade. It is super light and refreshing and a great cocktail to start a meal with.
a perfect After Dinner drink
For a perfect little sweet warm-up after dinner finish the night off with the perfect cup of festive cocoa. My recipe for Pink Hot Chocolate Bombs will give you all the Valentine's feels.
For my Valentine's Day sweet treat insop, CLICK HERE!!
MY LATEST RECIPES!
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MY FAVORITE KITCHEN TOOLS!
Here are a few links to some of my favorite kitchen tools! You get a car, YOu get a car, YOU ALL GET A CAR…in my best Oprah voice
These Rösle Silicone Tongs are a little pricey but they will last you the rest of your life and are the softest in your hand. This is important for someone like m that cooks so much. It reduces strain, I have 4 sets in my kitchen!
These are my FAVE Nordic Ware Sheet Pans, every kitchen should have at least 2 sets of these! I think I have at least 4 of each of these.
This is my favorite pressure cooker, the Fagor is the same concept as the “Instant Pot” but easier to use in my opinion, if you don’t have one you NEED one, it will be your best friend in the kitchen!
A sharp knife is the most important tool in the kitchen, these Japanese steel “Shun” knives are my favorite! And this is a great starter set to build on. Once you try them you will be in love so use this as a foundation you can build on for years to come.
This Scanpan 11″ skillet is just the right size for almost anything you will need to cook and my best friend and a real workhorse in my kitchen, it’s also a great deal at $99. Scanpan is the best in the world for healthy cooking. It is coated with a proprietary ceramic-titanium coating that is durable while allowing you to use fewer fats and oils when cooking. It is a coating only they use. I could talk all day about my love for these pans, message me if you want more info. Here are some other sizes that are available if you are looking to outfit your kitchen with some new goodies. 8″ & 10″ Skillet set or 8″ Skillet, I still need this one for my kitchen Also, I don’t really know how to cook small so the 12.5″ is my other fave!
This giant vat of olive oil is my favorite, I decant it into a smaller bottle for my counter. Or put this spigot on top of a wine bottle!
My favorite baking dish that is so easy to clean even burnt on cheese slides right off!
This Tovolo jar scraper has to be my single favorite kitchen tool, it is definitely the most used tool in my kitchen. If you are NOT a gadget person, this is the only necessity I say is a MUST beyond the wooden spoon.
A great wood spoon is essential, this Olive Wood one is my favorite, I have more than I can count. But can you really ever have too many?
A food scale can be a very important tool in your kitchen, this one is the one I use every day!
If you love Joanna Gaines as much as I do then the ‘Magnolia Table Cookbook’ is a must in your kitchen, get a copy HERE!
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