Dinner for Two: a Valentine’s Feast

It’s a big night for dining out, but in my opinion, for Valentine’s Day you can’t beat a home-cooked meal. As the old saying goes, the way to someone’s heart is often through their stomach. Taking the time to prepare a meal yourself is one way of showing how much you care.

To help you impress your sweetheart with your culinary skills, here are some recipes. Because not everyone is a professional chef like me, I’ve included three different menus for three different skill levels: beginner, intermediate and confident home cook.

I’ve also thrown in a bonus breakfast recipe, because who doesn’t love muffins?

This filet mignon meal for two from EatingWell only sounds complicated. They call it “the perfect impressive yet easy dinner for date night-in,” and I have to agree with them. With tender roasted broccolini and mashed sweet potatoes, this meal has a great balance of flavors.

Can’t afford a romantic trip to Paris? The next best thing might be this French bistro-inspired menu with roast chicken recipe from Cooking Light paired with pomme-frites (aka French fries). A more confident home cook can round out the meal with steamed mussels and baby greens.

Everyday Health has nine different ideas for a flavorful-but-healthy Valentine’s Day meal that includes everything from a pomegranate duck breast to a Tunisian tagine.

Want to start the day off on a romantic note? How about these Valentine’s Day strawberry muffins? The Greek yogurt adds protein and makes them deliciously rich, but still light and fluffy. Make these if your sweetheart is a little sweet … and a little tart.

Another benefit to cooking your sweetheart a meal at home? If you’re not dining out, that saves a little money to get them a thoughtful gift. Something that helps them live a healthy lifestyle, like a Fitpacker Meal Prep Bag or an insulated water bottle so they stay hydrated, will show them you’re planning on enjoying a long, happy life together.

[amazon_link asins=’B0143NQVI4′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’simpleeats27-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c91dc856-18f0-11e8-b25a-6d9ef1485db1′]If you’d like to catch up on more tips and advice for healthy eating and cooking like a chef, be sure to follow me on Instagram at OfficialChef  and check out SimpleEatsTV on YouTube.

Always remember Eat with a Purpose!