V-Day in a Pinch

Last minute ideas to make the day special

Valentine’s Day is approaching quickly!

Chefs know that Valentine’s Day is probably the worst day to take your special loved one out for a meal

In fact, we call V-Day “amateur night”

It’s the day most people who don’t go out to restaurants often will try and impress their date and it’s normally accompanied with low-etiquette and over demanding requests.

Add to that most restaurants are fully booked, the kitchen will be swamped and the front of house will likely be running around like chickens with their heads cut off 😂

The easy solution to this is to make a thoughtful and delicious meal at home, and by saving on the menu markups at restaurants for V-Day you can take those savings and put into gift if you so choose.

I’m here to help you with some menu ideas for a special dinner that will be delicious and extend your love to your date via minimal time you put in and a meal that will be be arguably better than what you’ll get in the cattle rush outside.

Below are some menu ideas with links to previous recipes to take out all the guesswork. Enjoy!

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Simple & Delicious

Course 1: Heavenly Hummus with Crudite

Course 2: Ahi Tuna Steaks

Course 3: Basque Cheesecake

Notes: Make the hummus in advance and enjoy the leftovers for days (or freeze). Cheesecake is also made in advance and then bring out of the fridge before the meal. Sear the Tuna steaks while the rice grits cook.

Classic French

Course 1: Shrimp Remoulade

Course 2: Provençal Lamb Stew or Steak au Poivre

Course 3: Perfect Chocolate Mousse or The Best Chocolate Soufflé

The Lamb Stew and Shrimp with remoulade sauce can all be made in advance as well as the chocolate mousse. To really impress bust out the chocolate soufflé instead at the end

One-Pot Meal

Course 1: Arroz con Pollo

Course 2: Flan or Tres Leches

Notes: This might be the easiest set to do and it’s so tasty; make the desserts in advance, and while the arroz con pollo is cooking you have plenty of time to open up some wine or champagne and just spend time with your honey.

Spicy Style

Course 1: Kabocha Squash & Red Curry soup

Course 2: Thai Pork skewers with dipping sauce

Course 3: Coconut Mango Sticky Rice

The soup and mango sticky rice can be made in advance; grill or broil the skewers and rest while serving the soup.

Mexico Love

Course 1: Fish Ceviche

Course 2: Best Pork Carnitas Ever or Mole Pipian with Duck or Chicken

Course 3: Tres Leches (see link above)

What I Would Do

Course 1: Beef Tartare

Course 2: Spicy Sausage Rigatoni

Course 3: Chicken Piccata

Course 4: Chocolate Soufflé

This breaks all the rules but trust me, would be delicious. follow me… a lovely beef tartare and the spicy sausage rigatoni could pair with a rounded red wine with low tannin. The chicken piccata is fried and basted with a refreshing lemon caper sauce; think chenin blanc, high acid riesling (Finger Lakes) that will refresh the palate making way for a rich finish of ethereal chocolate soufflé that would melt knees…. at this moment as I write this, I would serve this to a special someone and feel satisfied.

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These are only a few suggestions pulled from the 100’s of recipes I’ve posted in the Index. If you have questions drop them below and I’ll try to get back to you ASAP.

Regardless, I wish you and your special one a lovely Valentines Day without all the retail mayhem.