Imagine a Valentine's date without a packed restaurant, spending tons of money, spilling on tablecloths and suffering the stuffiness of a fancy restaurant. Sounds like a dream, right? No coat check, no problem!
You don't have to do Valentine's at McDonalds for this to be a reality. All you have to do is plan ahead and cook at home! A Valentine's menu doesn't have to be cliché or cheesy (although cheese is encouraged). You don't have to splurge on oysters and steak or make everything red or chocolate-themed. A simple, delicious three course meal isn't hard to pull off if you shop with a menu in mind and if you have a partner to help you pull it off.
This menu is perfect for any Valentine's situation, be it a couple's date or a group dinner or an I Hate Valentine's Day party. Just scale up for the number of people. Lots of wine is encouraged, both while cooking and while eating.
To start, make a crostini appetizer. Crostini with Whipped Feta and Cherry Tomato Bruschetta is a great recipe from This Is Silly Girl's Life. If you want something even fancier, go for Recipe Runner's Grilled Pear and Gouda Crostini with Honey and Thyme crostini.
For the second course, make a ravioli. Nothing shows love like handmade ravioli. It's definitely a long process, but if you have someone helping, it makes for a fun lead-up to dinner. Crank the music and enjoy the ride! Martha Stewart's recipe for Homemade Mushroom Ravioli is wonderful, but if you're feeling like something brighter, go for Lemon and Goat Cheese Ravioli from Yotam Ottolenghi posted on Serious Eats. Make a buttery, herb sauce for either one and throw in some arugula at the last second to wilt and add peppery brightness. Add your ravioli and serve.
For dessert, go with something simple. After putting so much effort into your gorgeous crostini and your labor-intensive but earth-shatteringly-delicious ravioli, have a dessert that's quick, sweet and satisfying. It's OK to get some help from Mr. Pillsbury here. Make dessert first and have it ready before you get going on the rest of the cooking. Try Nutella crescent rolls from KitchMe or Smores Crispie Treats from WholeYum.
There you have it! Take your Valentine's Day to cook for those you love and sit down to eat a fantastic, flavorful and fun dinner.
