With Valentine’s Day often comes a lot of planning. A type of cuisine that will wow your significant other. School treats for the kids. The color flowers to bring home. And trying to answer the question of whether she actually really wants a gift for Valentine’s Day when she says she doesn’t need anything.
This Valentine’s Day, swap the crowded and booked restaurants for the grocery store and farmers market. Cooking at home for Valentine’s Day can be a fun, entertaining, and romantic option whether you love to cook or are still learning your way around the kitchen.
Here, we’re sharing tips, tricks, and of course, delicious recipes, to get you inspired for enjoying Valentine’s Day in your own kitchen with your loved one.
Why Cook at Home for Valentine’s Day?
When you go to a restaurant, you can bet that they’ll have a variety of food options that both you and your date will enjoy. And you can expect that dish to turn out as expected.
But we’re thinking, where’s the interactive fun and adventure in that?
While going out to a restaurant can certainly be an enjoyable endeavor, cooking at home for Valentine’s Day dinner can transform a regular meal into an interactive, team-building experience that you both will enjoy. Even if the dishes don’t turn out to be five-star restaurant quality, you can know that you tried something together.
Since Valentine’s Day tends to be a very busy evening for restaurants, choosing to cook from home also frees up your schedule to not have to adhere to a reserved time or waiting a long time for a table.
Cooking from home for Valentine’s Day also empowers you to set your own menu. When you cook, you get to control the dishes you’ll whip up, the ingredients you’ll use, and perhaps assess how much spice to add to a food.
Making a Romantic Dinner with Fustini’s
Perhaps for your Valentine’s Day you’re looking to elevate your typical mac & cheese and hot dogs dish to a more sophisticated pasta and seafood plate. Whatever you’ve got set for the menu, a delicious meal begins with quality and wholesome ingredients. With Fustini’s olive oils and vinegars, you can transform your typical, everyday dishes into culinary masterpieces.
Rather than focusing on having the dish turn out perfectly or exactly how you intended, prioritize the joy that comes from spending time in the kitchen with your loved one. Whether you’re cooking for your significant other or you decide to cook together, you can enjoy a romantic home-cooked meal this Valentine’s Day.
Best Recipes for a Romantic Evening at Home
Whipping up a romantic dinner for two at home doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, whatever type of cuisine you’re in the mood for, there are some easy and romantic dinner ideas to feel inspired. Check out these Valentine’s Day recipes, using flavorful ingredients like Fustini’s olive oils and vinegars.
Valentine’s Day Beverages
Start the evening with a fruity and flavorful sip of an adult beverage. Make them mocktails by swapping out the alcohol for a sparkling juice or other alternative.
Chocolate Raspberry Martini - a dessert in a martini, complete with Fustini’s Raspberry balsamic vinegar.
Raspberry Basil Shrub - a fruity take with the help of Cranberry Pear balsamic, a sweet blend of sugared fruit and balsamic.
Ruby Cocktail - combine the fruity flavor of strawberries and West Michigan Blueberry balsamic vinegar in this vodka cocktail.
Pasta Dishes
Pasta tends to be a common choice for a romantic meal at home. It’s simple yet elegant. Versatile by featuring any type of cuisine and ingredients.
Basic Pasta Recipe - try your hand at creating your own pasta noodles with this basic recipe. Making pasta can be an entertaining activity to do together.
Alfredo Sauce - every great pasta dish needs a delicious sauce. Leave the pre-made jars on the shelf and whip up your own Alfredo sauce, with the help of Garlic olive oil.
Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Linguine - this easy romantic dish brings pops of color with the sun-dried tomatoes and basil, with Basil Crush olive oil and Citrus Oregano balsamic uniting all the flavors.
Seafood
Elevating the protein with seafood can also be a great and unexpected option for a romantic dinner in. Check out these inspiring ideas.
Honey-Truffle Glazed Salmon - the apple jam on this salmon recipe takes it to a new level.
Sea Scallops Americaine - don’t let the fancy name fool you; this scallop recipe is quick, easy, and delicious.
Shrimp & Pancetta Risotto - a blend of seafood and savory meat, this risotto is another easy romantic meal that will impress your date.
Desserts
End your meal on a sweet note with these romantic Valentine’s dessert recipes.
Cannoli - elevate your typical dessert choice with these elegant and flavorful treats, with a pop of citrus thanks to the Blood Orange olive oil.
Better Than Chocolate Cupcakes - for the chocolate-lovers out there, this cake recipe can be a decadent ending to a romantic meal, complete with Cara Cara Vanilla and Raspberry balsamic vinegars.
Chocolate Espresso Bundt Cake - just like the two of you are a great pair, the chocolate and espresso in this bundt cake were also meant to be. With the help of Espresso balsamic in both the cake and ganache topping, you’ll taste the harmony in this relationship.
Elevate your Valentine’s Dinner
Cooking at home can be a romantic and entertaining activity for your Valentine’s Day. With the help of these recipes–and flavor-packed ingredients like Fustini’s olive oils and balsamic vinegars–-you’ll whip up something that both you and your loved one will love.