What’s a better way to spend quality time with your loved one than to cook a delicious Valentine’s day dinner at home? Set the mood with candles and dimmed lighting, and you got yourself a romantic and intimate at-home date night. If you have a virtual date with someone – share your favourite recipe, cook together, and then enjoy the meal with one another safely at home. Prefer to spend the day solo? Even more, reasons to treat yourself this year with good food and lots of self-love.
We all became our own in-house chefs during the pandemic by exploring new and creative ways to cook wholesome and Instagram-worthy meals. Aside from supporting local restaurants on Friday nights, many of us are taking advantage of the time we have to cook at home instead.
For this V-day, we’ve compiled a list of delectable and romantic dishes that aren’t hard to make or require too many fancy ingredients so you can indulge with your loved ones. Whether it’s with your family, friends, partner, or co-workers, there’s nothing like breaking bread and spreading love than enjoying a meal with one another.
No matter what your food restrictions or preferences are, here are ten recipes you want to try for this V-day:
Meaty Meals
If you’re feeling meat, these meat-filled dishes will satisfy your hunger. Chose your protein like this Stuffed Chicken recipe that’s loaded with cheese and prosciutto. I mean, who wouldn’t want to indulge in that combination? Bonus: this recipe requires minimal ingredients. This romantic Steakhouse Dinner for two will be perfect for your V-day date night for all the steak lovers. If you need an I-need-to-whip-something-quick dish, then this one is for you. It requires a little bit more love, but within 30 minutes, you’ll have the perfect dinner for you and yours.
So Vegan
These tasty vegan dishes will even get meat-eaters to start to drool. Try this Cauliflower Steak with Mushroom Gravy that’s filled with flavour and texture. For carb lovers, try this Vegan Lasagna dinner dish for two. Non-vegan eaters have this perception that vegan dishes lack flavour and protein. This is not the case! Many vegan meals are nutritious and full of taste. If you’re not a vegan, try one of these recipes, and it’ll be mind-changing!
Just Veggies, Please!
Are you almost vegan or just simply wanting to take a break from eating meat? Whip up this Potatoe Parnsip Rosti for you and your partner this Valentine’s day. This delicious yet simple meal is topped with a tasty mixture of chives, lemon, and sour cream. For those who prefer something more wholesome and hearty, this Broccoli Soup definitely won’t disappoint! It’ll keep you and your V-day date warm and cozy, which is the perfect setting for the evening.
I See Food, Seafood Sees Me
Seafood lovers, these two recipes are for you. They are healthy, light, and something to try if your pallets are craving for something from the sea. This Soba Noodle Bowl with Garlic Shrimp recipe is a fun meal to prepare together virtually. If you’re counting your calories this Valentine’s day, this super healthy Salmon and Zucchini dinner is the one for you. Cooking the salmon and veggies on a pan dish together will save you time. Less time spent cooking only means more time drinking!
Let’s Try Something New
If you’re looking for something new and is up for a cooking challenge, try this Asian-fusion inspired Scallion Biscuits Char Siu dish. The idea of taking a typical Westernize breakfast of gravy and biscuits and adding a delicious Cantonese twist is just straight genius. Want to spend less time cooking and more time eating? Then this recipe of an Easy Fondue meal is right for you. Perfect for some solo self-love time or your inner circle of friends to share.
Guest post article is co-written in partnership with Linh Pham, co-founder of Designer Swap and our In House Virtual Stylist and event co-ordinator.
Linh is Carmelia Ray’s Style Expert. She consults and advises clients in making fashion decisions for dating and lifestyle photoshoot profiles. She provides customized recommendations on individual pieces, entire looks, colour palettes, styles, and fabrics. She is the Co-Founder of an online luxury consignment boutique called Designer Swap and a women’s networking group called Canadian Lady Bosses. She loves fashion, travelling, shopping, and women empowering events.
