A FULL-COURSE MEAL FOR YOUR VALENTINE'S DINNER

Staying in is the new dining out. What happens when you're tired of choosing a restaurant but your love language is food? Well this Valentine's Day, you can make the most of your dining table, pop open a bottle of wine, and enjoy the fancyness of fine dining from the comfort of your home.

Whether you prefer a nice table setup, or just a cozy meal enjoyed on the couch, nothing says Valentine's Day dinner like a meal made with love. Many others are doing the same thing, but the next question is: What should I make?

You don't need to be a 5-star chef to serve your loved one a special homemade dish. (Well if you are, it would certainly help.) You just need your everyday pots & pans, some nice dinnerware, maybe a wine or cocktail glass, and you're good to go!

We've prepared three easy, foolproof Valentine dinner recipes to give you a full course meal, and make your night feel extra special with the one you love.

Appetisers: Tomato Salsa Bruschetta

You can never go wrong with bruschetta, or so we've heard. Combine fresh tomato salsa on warm toasted slices of French baguette, and you have a crunchy refreshing appetiser perfect to start the evening with. 

Ingredients:

• 1 x baguette
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1/4 white onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano
• Dash of black pepper
• Dash of cayenne
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese (e.g. Grana Padano, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, goat cheese, or others)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
2. Dice tomatoes into small cubes. Mince garlic clove, dice onions, and mix in with tomatoes in a bowl.
3. Line baking tray with aluminium foil. Cut baguette into thick slices and lay out across the tray. Drizzle or brush lightly with olive oil and bake in the oven at 180ºC for 5 minutes – just enough time to toast the edges.
4. Add remaining ingredients (except the cheese) to the tomato salsa mix. Stir well, and season with salt, pepper, oregano or cayenne to taste.
5. Remove baguette slices from the oven. Top each with a small amount of cheese, and place back into the oven for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted.
6. Remove from oven again, and top each baguette slice with the tomato salsa!

Recipe inspired by Homemade with an Upgrade

Main Course: Spaghetti Amatriciana

That's right — we're taking you to a full Lady & The Tramp inspired night in Italy, with a stop for some delicious spaghetti amatriciana. It's like Neapolitan, but slightly spicier and with an addition of pancetta.

Ingredients:

• 340g spaghetti or pasta of your choice
• 1 x canned tomatoes or 600g whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
• 100-120g pancetta, cut into small cubes
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (can omit)
• Salt
• Parmesan, pecorino romano or similar cheeses (for topping)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a saute pan or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the pancetta to the skillet and cook until brown (about 8-12 minutes)
3. Turn skillet's heat to medium-high. Add onions and saute for about 5-7 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and let them toast for about 1 minute before adding the tomatoes in.
4. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and season with salt and pepper. Stir every 10-15 minutes until the sauce reaches desired thickness. Once it's thickened, turn off heat and set aside.
5. In the large pot, cook your spaghetti or pasta to al dente (roughly 8-10 minutes). With a slotted spoon, transfer the spaghetti to the skillet – save the remaining pasta water. Turn heat back on the skillet to medium-low. 
6. Add a 1/2 cup of pasta water to the spaghetti and sauce in the skillet. Cook and toss to combine well for about 3-4 minutes. When it's warm, add seasoning such as salt, pepper, or red pepper crushed flakes to your preferred taste.
7. Serve in a dinner bowl, top with cheese or basil, and buon appetito!

Recipe inspired by Alison Roman

Dessert: Mini Vanilla Tiramisu 

The best part about this mini tiramisu recipe? You can serve it in a mug, a cocktail glass, little bowl, or anything you fancy. Not too heavy, not too creamy – a perfect way to end the night on a sweet note.

Ingredients:

• 250g tub mascarpone
• 75g condensed milk
• 3-6 sponge fingers, depending on your tiramisu size
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp Kahlúa or other coffee liquor
• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 4 tsp instant coffee grounds

1. Mix instant coffee grounds with about 3 Tbsp of boiling water and stir to combine. It should amount to about half a shot of espresso. Add coffee liquor and 50ml cold water.
2. With an electric whisk, beat the mascarpone, condensed milk and vanilla extract until thickened and smooth.
3. Break sponge fingers into 2-3 pieces. Soak it in the coffee mixture for 1 minute.
4. Take a stemless wine glass, mug, or any vessel of your choice, and place a few the soaked sponge finger pieces on the base. Top it with the vanilla cream, and keep layering the two interchangeable as desired.
5. Once it reaches the rim, sift cocoa powder over the top. Chill in the refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving.

Recipe inspired by Chelsie Collins via BBC Good Food

FAQs

Do you have other ideas on what to make for Valentine's Day?

Oh, we're never short on dessert ideas for Valentine's Day! Why not try these custard-filled heart shaped doughnuts, or a batch of pink cupcakes to share with friends?