- Recipes
Valentine's Day
Meghan Splawn
Meghan Splawn
Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You.
updated Mar 4, 2020
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We’re big believers in Valentine’s Day dinner at home. Cooking for someone is the best way to show them you care. Steak for two and chocolate-covered strawberries might be the most iconic date-night treats, but if you’re not in the mood for the classics, we’ve got you covered. These 14 recipes (for February 14th, get it?) are our most popular and have been saved by thousands of Kitchn readers to cook for someone they love.
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1. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Name a better combo than fresh strawberries and chocolate, I dare you. It comes together easily, can be made ahead of time, and feels special — a fresh strawberry eaten in the depths of winter tastes like a stolen bite of spring. We give you lots of pointers to help you make these flawlessly — and for much cheaper than you can buy at a bakery.
Recipe: How To Make Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
2. Perfect Oven-Cooked Steak
Most of us don’t regularly cook steak at home, but it isn’t as hard as you might think — and it definitely says romance. This recipe, which uses your oven’s broiler, will give you the confidence you need to get a great sear and a tender interior. Whether you’re cooking this for your partner of 20 years or on a second date, we’ll help you make it perfect.
Recipe: How To Cook Perfect Steak in the Oven
3. Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e pepe is the dish for those of us who want to create a little Lady and the Tramp moment. This super-simple pasta dish is low-key the best dinner you can share on a romantic date night at home.
Recipe: How to Make Cacio e Pepe
4. Pork Chops in Port Wine Sauce
Honestly, you can put this port wine sauce on any cut of meat and it will become an instant hit. I mean, look at that ruby hue! Pork chops taste delicious and the bone-in variety feels as luxe as steak with a much friendlier price tag.
Recipe: Pork Chops in Port Wine Sauce
5. Creme Brûlée
Swoon! Creme brûlée is always romantic because it takes some effort and confidence to make at home. (But give it a try — it’s totally doable.) It’s special enough that you can make this one stunning dessert and then order take-out, and it’s still a special-occasion meal.
Recipe: How To Make Creme Brûlée
6. Duck Breast
Duck is another great alternative to steak. We recommend starting it in a cold pan, to render the fat, so it comes out crispy on the outside and rosy on the inside. Fry a few cubed potatoes in the leftover fat and dinner is done.
Recipe: How To Cook Duck Breast
7. The Best Flourless Chocolate Cake
Flourless chocolate cake isn’t just for those avoiding flour — it’s truly a chocolate-lover’s dream. This decadent recipe serves 10 — so it’s a great dessert to make if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with friends.
Recipe: How To Make the Best Flourless Chocolate Cake
8. Panna Cotta
Here is a thing that restaurant chefs don’t want you to know: Panna cotta is super easy and cheap to make. Look how stunning these orbs of sweet jellied dairy come out, especially topped with a little bit of cherry jam and some chocolate shavings.
Recipe: How To Make Panna Cotta
9. Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes
These mini Dutch babies often make an appearance at our family Valentine’s Day breakfast. They are cute and delicious and feel special, but are easy enough to make on the occasional weekday morning.
Recipe: Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes
10. Foolproof Chocolate Truffles
I was admittedly surprised that truffles made the list of our most popular Valentine’s recipes. I assumed they were mostly for holiday gift-giving. But truffles are a really smart move — you can make a batch for Galentine’s Day or gift these to your special someone instead of a box of chocolates.
Recipe: How To Make Foolproof Chocolate Truffles
11. Zuni Café Roasted Chicken
If you aren’t familiar, Zuni Cafe is a renowned restaurant in San Francisco and this chicken (and bread salad) is the reason it’s famous. This isn’t just a set-it-and-forget-it roast chicken, but that’s part of what makes it so special.
Recipe: How To Make a Zuni Café Roasted Chicken at Home
12. Classic French Palmiers
Palmiers are crispy, buttery cookies made from puff pastry and sugar. Because of how they’re folded, they end up baking into a sort-of heart shape. They pair well with Champagne and good conversation, making them the perfect end to a relaxed and romantic meal.
Recipe: How To Make Classic French Palmiers
13. Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème
If all you really want to eat on Valentine’s Day is rich chocolate pudding, we’re with you. These pots de crème are exactly what we’d choose. Chocolate pot de crème is the richer, more luscious French version of American chocolate pudding.
Recipe: Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème
14. Steamed Mussels
Mussels are a really great last-minute date-night recipe! They take just a few minutes to cook and go great with a big pile of fries, some good wine, and a loaf of crusty bread for sopping up their broth. Grab them fresh on your way home, and you’ll have a meal made for sharing.
Recipe: How To Cook Mussels on the Stovetop
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