Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to create a special meal for your loved one without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re planning a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two or treating yourself to a cozy meal at home, these five easy recipes will make your evening unforgettable. From comforting main courses to indulgent desserts, let’s explore some delicious dishes that will impress your significant other on a day as special as Valentine’s Day.
1. Creamed Spinach and Chicken Bake
This rich and creamy dish is a hearty yet easy option for a Valentine’s Day dinner. Packed with comforting flavors, it’s sure to be a hit.
Ingredients:
- 2 packets of McCain Creamed Spinach
- 500g pasta of choice, boiled and set aside
- 400g chicken, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- Mixed herbs
- ½ cup passata
- 1 cup feta cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Method:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season and fry the chicken in batches, then set aside.
- Add onions to the same pan and cook until translucent, then add garlic, mixed herbs, and passata.
- Stir in the frozen creamed spinach, cover the pot, and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Toss in the pasta and feta cheese, mix well, and transfer to an oven-safe dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes and serve hot with a side salad.
2. Irish Pork Stew with Colcannon
This hearty Irish-inspired dish is a warm and flavorful option for a special Valentine’s Day dinner.
Ingredients:
For the stew:
- 800g pork shoulder, cubed
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 300g mushrooms, quartered
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup stout beer (like Guinness)
- 3 cups chicken or beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
For the colcannon:
- 1kg potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 4 cups kale, finely chopped
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Heat oil in a pot and brown the pork, then set aside.
- Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened. Add mushrooms and cook until browned.
- Sprinkle in flour, mix well, then deglaze the pot with stout beer.
- Return the pork to the pot and add broth, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 1.5 hours until tender.
- For colcannon, boil potatoes until soft, then mash with butter and milk.
- Sauté kale and mix into the mashed potatoes.
- Serve the stew with a side of colcannon.
3. Tasty Vegetarian Bobotie
This South African classic gets a vegetarian twist, offering bold flavors for a unique Valentine’s Day dinner.
Ingredients:
For the bobotie:
- 30ml vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 knob ginger, grated
- 15ml mild curry powder
- 15ml garam masala
- 5ml ground turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, coriander
- 1 large aubergine, cubed
- 2 x 400g cans lentils, drained
- 1-2 slices white bread, crumbled
- 1 cup water
- 60ml fruit chutney
- 15ml Worcester sauce
- 15ml tomato paste
- 125ml raisins (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- A squeeze of lemon juice
For the custard layer:
- 1 x 400g coconut milk
- 3 eggs
- A few bay leaves
- Salt & pepper
Method:
- Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in oil.
- Add all the spices and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in aubergine, lentils, breadcrumbs, water, chutney, Worcester sauce, tomato paste, and raisins. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a baking dish.
- Whisk coconut milk and eggs, pour over the mixture, and top with bay leaves.
- Bake at 200°C for 25 minutes until golden.
- Serve with yellow rice, chutney, and sambal.
4. No-Bake Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake in Jars
A delightful make-ahead dessert, perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients:
For the filling:
- 1kg blueberries
- 60ml honey
- 15ml lemon juice
- 15ml water
- 15g corn starch
For the cheesecake:
- 230g cream cheese
- 200g Greek yoghurt
- 30ml honey
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
For the biscuit crumb:
- 1 packet Tennis biscuits
- 45ml melted butter
Method:
- Simmer blueberries, honey, and lemon juice in a saucepan for 5 minutes. Add cornstarch and water to thicken. Cool completely.
- Mix cream cheese, yoghurt, honey, lemon zest, and juice.
- Crush biscuits and mix with melted butter.
- Layer biscuit crumbs, cheesecake filling, and blueberry sauce in jars.
- Chill for at least one hour.
5. Vanilla Panna Cotta with Mango Sorbet & Coconut Snap
A sophisticated dessert to end your Valentine’s Day dinner on a high note.
Ingredients:
For the panna cotta:
- 200g milk
- 200g cream
- 45g castor sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla paste
- 3 gelatine leaves
For the mango sorbet:
- 500g ripe mango
- 250g castor sugar
- 250g water
- 10g glucose syrup
For the coconut snap:
- 20g dried coconut
- 25g butter
- 8g water
- 12g glucose syrup
- 12g cake flour
- 40g icing sugar
Method:
- Soak gelatine in cold water. Heat milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla to a boil.
- Remove from heat, whisk in gelatine, and let cool before pouring into moulds. Refrigerate overnight.
- For sorbet, blend mango, sugar, water, and glucose syrup, then freeze.
- For coconut snap, mix all ingredients and bake at 160°C for 16 minutes.
- Serve panna cotta with mango sorbet and coconut snap.
These five easy recipes are perfect for a stress-free Valentine’s Day dinner that will impress your partner. Whether you opt for a hearty meal or a light and elegant dessert, each dish is designed to add a special touch to your romantic evening.
Also Read: 5 Thoughtful Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts That Won’t Feel Rushed
