Valentine Dinner Recipes with Chocolate Desserts

I am the biggest lover of anything hearts. I seem to see them everywhere even in the snow. But, man does not live by hearts alone. He needs to eat. You don’t have to heart everything for Valentine’s Day, or do pink or red food with bizarre food colorings. All you need do is pop a little color into your food, put some nice flowers on the table or simply start with a romantic cocktail like a Manhattan.

Here are some of my husband’s favorite dinners that will make any Valentine’s Day dinner quite special. Of course, I’m expecting some of you men to get cooking too!

Valentine Dinner Recipes – Starters

Beets are an aphrodisiac. You could make this red beet pesto or try this pizza or beet/goat cheese ravioli.

Red Beets, Bacon, Goat Cheese Flatbread Pizza by Angela Roberts

These are easy, made with won ton wrappers and stuffed with beets and goat cheese.

Oysters are also an aphrodisiac.

Oysters Rockefeller This is a little more work, but it might be worth it.

Valentine Dinner Recipes – Salads

Blackberry Goat Cheese

The Goat Cheese is baked and just yummy. Use any kind of berries, shave a little white chocolate over the top.

Honey-Baked Goat Cheese Salad with blackberry lemon vinaigrette

This arugula salad is a mix of bitter greens and sweet white chocolate.

Arugula Salad with White Chocolate Confetti by Angela Roberts

Valentine Dinner Recipes -Entrees

Scallops with Fennel Maybe you want a few courses or you want to keep it light and splurge on dessert.

Seared Scallops with Braised Fennel by Angela Roberts

Roasted Rack of Lamb Whoever makes this probably secures Valentine’s Day 2017.

Veal Osso Buco with grits. There is something about grits, and Italian comfort food, that could take like to love.

Orange Ginger Beets Ginger Roasted Salmon These flavors are sophisticated and exciting. What kind of night do you want?

Proposal Roast Chicken. The legend has it that when a woman serves this to a man, he will propose on the spot. Call me sexist; I like it when the men do the proposing. You always get to say “it was your idea.” (Oh, and a very sexy turn on is a sense of humor).

Roast Beef in Red Wine with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes. Red meat, red wine, be mine.

Bolognese Sauce over Your Favorite Pasta. Something about an ultimate comfort food that has a lasting memory.

Authentic Marcella Hazan Bolognese Recipe

If you’re going for brunch instead of dinner. Apple Dutch Baby or Apple Dutch Baby with Sausage is addicting. You’ll both finish this pan, and finish a whole bottle of champagne together. Not a bad start to the day.

Shrimp Quiche with Smoked Bacon made with either pie crust or raw tortillas to make life easy. This is a special brunch made with a pistou, and a little bit of show off.