8 Perfect Valentine's Day Recipes For a Romantic Meal at Home

Contrary to popular beliefs, I think Valentine's Day is a wonderful occasion to just stay in and create unique homemade treats to celebrate that special someone in your life. And expanding on this personal favorite theory of mine, I have put together this curation of some of my favorite recipes that also double up as the perfect Valentine’s Day preparations that you can whip up using the most basic ingredients at home. So, whether you’re celebrating with bae, hanging out with friends, or watching The Notebook on your couch for the 100th time, give one of these delicious recipes a try for a sweet handmade Valentine’s Day meal.

1. French Toast

If you are going to spend the day cooking a delicious homemade treat for Bae on Valentine's Day why not do it right and start by preparing a delicious breakfast? Spend a few extra minutes in the morning serving up fluffy, crisp French toast for your special someone and earn some major brownie points early on the day.

Ingredients: 

• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole fat milk
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 8 slices of white bread
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• Yogurt, berries, and pure maple syrup or honey, for serving

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
• Working in batches, place 2 bread slices in egg mixture and let soak 2 minutes. Flip and soak 1 minute more (both sides of bread should be completely coated in mixture).
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon butter on a nonstick skillet on medium-low. Once melted, add soaked bread and cook until golden brown, 1 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to wire rack to cool off. While toast is cooking, soak next batch of bread slices.
• Repeat with remaining butter and bread. Serve topped with yogurt, berries, and syrup or honey if desired.

2. Flower Power Sunny-Side Eggs

Flowers are a huge part of Valentine's Day and so there's no reason you shouldn't include them in your breakfast, too.

Ingredients:

• 1 large bell pepper (or 4 in different colors)
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• Chopped coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

• Slice bell pepper (or 4 in different colors) horizontally to make four 1/2-inch-thick rings and remove inner white flesh and seeds.
• In a deep nonstick skillet, heat vegetable oil on medium. Cook peppers for 2 minutes. Turn peppers over; crack 1 egg into the center of each ring. Cook, covered, until eggs have reached desired doneness. Season with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• To serve, garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve.

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3. Roasted Parmesan Chicken and Tomatoes

Bursting with flavor tomatoes paired perfectly with parmesan and bread crumbs coated baked chicken. This is the perfect Valentine's Day recipe to impress bae with your culinary prowess.

Ingredients: 

• 4 boneless chicken breast fillets
• salt and black pepper
• 1/4 cup panko or homemade breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves
• 1 Chopped Garlic Clove
• 1 tsp mustard
• 2-3 Tomatoes
• Side salad/ toasted garlic bread, for serving

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 230ºC.
• Arrange chicken breast fillets on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
• in a separate bowl, stir together breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, olive oil, chopped coriander, and chopped garlic clove. Spread mustard on each chicken breast. Sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture.
• Arrange tomatoes around the chicken. Bake until chicken is just cooked through, 14 to 16 minutes. Serve with a side salad or toasted garlic bread.

4. Spaghetti Carbonara

Treat your sweetheart on Valentine's Day to a dinner that only looks fancy!

Ingredients:

• 226 grams spaghetti
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 4 slices bacon, diced (can be replaced with chicken chunks)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves

Instructions:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; reserve 1/2 cup water and drain well.
• In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan; set aside.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy (about 6-8 minutes).
• Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low.
• Working quickly, stir in pasta and egg mixture, and gently toss to combine; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
• Serve immediately, garnished with coriander leaves, if desired.

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5. Spinach Tomato Tortellini

Your search for an easy vegetarian Valentine's Day meal stops right here! 

Ingredients:

• 340 grams tortellini pasta
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4-5 tomatoes, diced
• 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme -optional
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Instructions:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
• In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream and flour; set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
• Stir in tomatoes, spinach, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes, if using; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook while stirring occasionally until spinach begins to wilt (about 2 minutes).
• Gradually whisk in heavy cream mixture and Parmesan, and cook, whisking constantly until slightly thickened (about 3-4 minutes). Stir in tortellini and gently toss to combine everything well. Serve immediately.

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6. 3-Ingredient Chocolate Covered Strawberries

A simple, yet classic dessert that comes together in just THREE ingredients! A must for a romantic Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients: 

• Fresh Strawberries
• 200 grams semi-sweet or dark chocolate bar
• 2-3 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions:

• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse strawberries and pat dry with paper towels.
• In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine cut-up chocolate pieces and coconut oil and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted.
• Dip strawberries in chocolate and place on prepared baking sheet.
• Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.
• Serve with a glass of champagne!

7. 3-Ingredient Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover mixed Biscuits
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 sachet Eno
• ½ cup Chocolate Ganache/Chocolate Syrup/Nutella (for garnishing)
• Cut up strawberries (Optional-for garnishing)

Instructions:

•  Put the mixed batch of any biscuits in a grinder and grind for 1 minute.
•  Add milk and blend again for 30 seconds. Once done, take out this batter in a bowl.
• Add one sachet of Eno to the prepared batter and mix well.
• Take a saucepan and grease it with oil, place a baking paper, and brush oil again. Once coated with oil pour the prepared batter in it
• Fire up the stove (medium-low flame) place a Tawa and pre-heat.
• Carefully place the saucepan on the hot Tawa and cook for 35-40 minutes on medium-low flame
• Once cooked, remove from the mold, pour chocolate ganache/Nutella, and spread well.
• Add cut up strawberries for garnishing.
• Cut in slices and enjoy!

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8. Rose Lemon Spritzer

They are cute, light, simple, quick and the perfect cocktails for Valentine's Day

Ingredients: 

• 2 tablespoons rose water (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 4-50 ml vodka 
• 1-2 tablespoon honey or to taste (use agave if vegan)
• a few drops of pomegranate juice for color (optional)
• 3/4 cup sparkling water/club soda or more to taste
• fresh roses for garnish (optional)

Instructions: 

• Combine all the rose water, fresh lemon juice, vodka, honey, and pomegranate juice (if using) in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until combined and then strain into a glass. Pour in the sparkling water/club soda. Garnish with fresh roses. 

FAQs

Q1. How to pre-heat my microwave?

A. You need to place a slatted rack that comes with a microwave to pre-heat it. Now, choose the convection option. Once you set it on the convection mode, your microwave’s digital display will reflect the minimum temperature setting available, you can just increase or decrease it according to your requirement and press start.

Q2. Can we replace bacon with any other ingredients in the Spaghetti Carbonara?

A. Yes, you can absolutely replace bacon with chicken chunks if you want.

Q3. What kind of biscuits can I use for making the chocolate cake?

A. You can use a mix of any biscuit or cookies you have lying around. Oreos, bourbons, Parle-G, any biscuits you have at home will work fine.