Valentine’s Day is almost here, and there’s no finer way to celebrate than sharing a thoughtful dinner. Away from the shopping frenzy, this holiday is about two people savoring time together. It doesn’t have to break the bank. Sometimes the simplest gestures carry the most warmth.
So, February 14 presents a perfect plan: a cozy dinner at home. With 2023’s date landing on a Tuesday, waking up early the next day to rush to a restaurant can feel like a chore rather than a treat.
Cooking a successful meal doesn’t require being a kitchen maestro or spending hours scrubbing pots and pans. A short, well-chosen menu can do the job. The following ideas are designed for speed and ease, proving that a lovely Valentine’s dinner can come together in just over thirty minutes.
salmon bites
-
three slices of bread
-
a pot of pesto
-
A pack of smoked salmon
-
Butter
-
The first step is to cut the bread into four triangles. Toast with a touch of butter until lightly crisp.
-
Top each piece with a thin layer of pesto and a small piece of salmon to finish.
beef carpaccio
-
200 grams of beef
-
100 grams of parmesan cheese
-
extra virgin olive oil
-
lemon
-
Salt and pepper
-
Start by freezing the meat briefly to get clean slices. Slice as thin as possible and then gently flatten with a meat mallet.
-
Season with salt, pepper, oil and lemon juice, marinating for about thirty minutes.
-
Arrange on a plate and finish with Parmesan shavings for a bright finish.
zucchini rolls
-
courgette
-
200 grams of ricotta cheese
-
a bag of spinach
-
a box of natural crushed tomatoes
-
Olive oil, thyme, pepper and salt
-
Slice the zucchini thinly with a mandoline and lay them on absorbent paper to release excess moisture.
-
For the filling, boil the spinach and blend with ricotta, then season with olive oil, salt and pepper.
-
Prepare a light tomato sauce by saute9ing crushed tomatoes in olive oil with salt and thyme for about 20 minutes.
-
Stuff the zucchini with the filling, then nestle the rolls in the sauce.
Chocolate mousse
-
80 grams of chocolate
-
25 grams of butter
-
Egg
-
a spoonful of sugar
-
Melt the chocolate with butter, using short bursts in the microwave or a bain-marie until smooth.
-
Stir in the egg yolk and sugar.
-
Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks, then fold into the chocolate for a light texture.
-
Divide the mousse into two bowls and decorate as wished. Chill for a few hours in the fridge.
Oreo Balls
-
A pack of Oreo cookies
-
A box of Philadelphia cheese
-
One tablet of white chocolate
-
One tablet of milk chocolate
The easiest recipe yet — mix the cookies with the cream cheese until a workable dough forms. Roll into small balls, then coat with melted chocolate. Place the coated balls on foil to prevent sticking and refrigerate for at least four hours. They firm up beautifully and make a delightful finish to a romantic, at-home celebration.