10 Special Valentine’s Day Recipes to Try This Year

Posted: February 6, 2023 2:08 pm

Now that the calendar has flipped to February, it is time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day. February 14 will be here before you know it. Now is the time to start planning your special menu for the day. Regardless of if you are looking for an elegant dinner to surprise your love or if you want a fun themed recipe for the kids, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Classic Steak au Poivre

You cannot go wrong with this classic steak au poivre recipe if you are looking to impress your date this Valentine’s Day. While it may sound fancy, this steak is simply cooked up in a pan using a peppercorn crust. The spiciness of the crust is what sets it apart from a traditionally grilled steak. The creamy sauce made with heavy cream and a bit of brandy or cognac is the perfect finishing touch. Serve this steak with the hasselback potato recipe included below and a green salad and you will have a meal that will impress even the most discerning foodie.

Hasselback Potatoes

Put a spin on your usual side dish by choosing to make these hasselback potatoes. Rather than baking your potatoes whole, you will thinly slice the spuds and baste them with a mix of butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pop them into the oven to roast until they are perfectly golden brown. You can then top them with your choice of toppings. Good choices include green onions, cheese, bacon, or sour cream. The unique creation will make the dinner feel extra special.

Easy Red Velvet Cookies

Your Valentine’s Day treats do not need to be costly or complicated. This easy red velvet cookie recipe only uses four ingredients and is a breeze to pull together quickly. The festive red cookies are made with red velvet cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and powdered sugar for dusting. This is a great recipe if you are looking for something to make with the kids to commemorate the day. They also make a fun classroom treat if your child is having a party at school. You will want to make these all year long once you see how easy and delicious they are.

Raspberry Sweet Rolls

Get Valentine’s Day off to a great start with these colorful raspberry sweet rolls. The sweet yeast rolls are stuffed with juicy raspberries and then topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting. The addition of lemon zest to the frosting adds an extra layer of flavor to the treat. The redness of the raspberries pop in this dish, making it a beautiful addition to your Valentine’s Day breakfast table. Do not let the long ingredient list scare you away. The rolls are easy to prepare and come together quickly.

Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington is certainly a dish that is worthy of a special occasion. Beef tenderloin is basted with a mix of mustard and mushroom duxelles and then topped with ham and wrapped in a puff pastry. All of this goodness bakes together to deliver a meal that you will never forget. Parma ham or prosciutto works best with this recipe, however, you can use any type of mushroom that you prefer. Serve this masterpiece with a bottle of nice red wine.

Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes

Add a festive touch to your Valentine’s Day breakfast table with these delicious strawberry cheesecake pancakes. The buttermilk pancakes boast strawberries and cream cheese mixed into batter. The fluffy cakes are then topped with a homemade strawberry syrup for another flavor boost. You can also substitute strawberry jam for the syrup. Top each stack of pancakes with some whipped cream and a handful of fresh strawberries.

Valentine Puppy Chow

Look no further than this Valentine puppy chow if you are looking for a fun snack or treat for a class party or other holiday gathering. The red and white candy melts put a holiday spin on this traditional snack mix while the strawberry cake mix delivers a unique flavor. Level up the mix with red and pink M&M candies or sprinkles. Because this snack mix can be stored for up to one week in an airtight container, you can easily make it in advance of your event.

Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

These red wine braised short ribs are an amazing winter comfort food, making them a perfect choice for a Valentine’s Day dinner. The ribs simmer in a red wine sauce that includes a variety of vegetables, fresh herbs, and garlic. Your house will smell wonderful as these ribs slowly simmer. The optional parmesan rind infuses another layer of flavor into this masterpiece. You can serve the ribs over pasta, risotto, rice, polenta, or mashed potatoes.

Coq au Vin Blanc

For something a little lighter but equally as fancy, try this recipe for classic coq au vin blanc. The French recipe uses simple ingredients that come together beautifully. You will first sear the bone-in skin-on chicken thighs in rich bacon fat before infusing the white wine, mushrooms, and chicken broth. Be sure to use a top quality white wine for the best results. Good choices include sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, or pinot blanc. A mix of aromatics including onion, thyme, and parsley brings out all of the flavors. You can pair this chicken with the carb of your choice or go lighter with a green salad.

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

Vegetarians will appreciate this fancy creamy pumpkin pasta dish as the centerpiece of a Valentine’s Day spread. The dish includes a mouth-watering pumpkin sauce that is balanced out by the brown butter and sage to create an explosion of flavor in every bite. This dish is also a nutritional powerhouse thanks to the pumpkin and the spinach. Best of all, this beauty will be on your table in just 30 minutes.

You will make Valentine’s Day stand out from the rest of the days in February by using this list for your culinary inspiration for the day. It is always a good idea to celebrate the loved ones in your life through food.

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