Any Inexpensive But Nice Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas?

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I just picked up a small london broil. I'm going to grill that and make roasted baby red potatoes (1/2 a bag left from another meal) and green beans.

For dessert, I'm going to make sugar cookies in the shape of hearts and put on red sugar to dress them up.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Somehow our Valentines traditional meal became homemade belguin waffles with strawberries and whipped cream! I asked this year if they wanted something different, and they all said no way!! It's the simple things, and family tradition I guess! I love that they will tell my grandchildren one day about our Valentines day tradition with such happy loving memories!

 

[jemgumby]

I think cheese fondue and chocolate fondue are very romantic. I LOVE the Melting Pot but they are pricey and we have had some romantic evenings making our own fondue. We do a beer based cheddar cheese fondue and dip carrots, cauliflour, breads and apples. Then we do a milk chocolate fondue for dessert and dip strawberries, bananas, marshmallows....If your looking to make it a little more filling stuff some artichokes with an itatlian bread stuffing and steam. Soooo good and artichokes are known to be aphrodisiacs (always works for me!!!)

 

[maggiew]

I'm making a heart shaped pizza!

Maggie

 

[XYSRUS]

DH and I are taking the kids for dim sum! Yummmmm!

 

[leight]

We're italian so sundays are always pasta days. I will make Dh & DD 9's favorite Vodka Sauce instead of just reg pasta sauce.

I have a small sara lee strawberry cheese cake in the freezer that i got for less than $2 when it was on sale and I had a coupon and we'll do a small chocolate fondue with strawberries.

I've put aside some grocery $ from sales/coupons to go to breakfast which will be a nice treat-will probably have the family ride bikes together to our community pool where we can order breakfast from the restaurant there-will be a nice family day!

 

[bettymae1121]

Not sure what you're budget is, but this time of year a lot of grocery stores have fliet mingon and lobster on sale. It's still more expensive than say chicken, but a lot less than what you can usually get it for, and WAY less than a restaurant. Check the sale ads the weekend before V-day and see if they have anything that will fit your budget. If they don't, then you can move on to a plan B.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We're italian so sundays are always pasta days. I will make Dh & DD 9's favorite Vodka Sauce instead of just reg pasta sauce.

Are you willing to share your recipe? I love vodka sauce and haven't found a great recipe to make at home!

 

[ohanaMAMA]

we arent going out to eat this weekend either. Im planning steak though (ribeye is on sale this week) baked potatoes and a salad. The chocolate fondue for desert... I might even spring for some bubbly (cheap stuff of course!)

the fondue is EASY. I take chocolate chips and melt them slowly adding a splash of heavy whipping cream. Then I cut up tons of fun things to dip. Brownies, strawberries, marshmellows. pretty romantic to feed your sweetie sweets dipped in oooey gooey chocolate!

 

[leight]

Are you willing to share your recipe? I love vodka sauce and haven't found a great recipe to make at home!

Sure- I tried several before I chose this one and everyone who has it says it is much better than most restaurants. Now since I always make a sauce that simmers all day on sundays- I use one can tomatoes and one can full of my sauce. But this recipe is the best!


Penne alla Vodka Recipe
Ingredients
1/4 pound bacon, diced (can also use pancetta or prosciutto)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlicgarlic, peeled and halved
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 cup vodka
2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, with their juice, pureed in a blender
1 tsp crushed red pepper
Salt, to taste
1 cup heavy cream or 1-1/2 cups evaporated skim milk (for a leaner version)
2 (16-ounce) boxes penne pasta
24 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1-1/2 cups freshly grated Romano cheese
Instructions
Place a large pot of cold, salted water over high heat to come to a boil.
In a large saute pan on medium heat, cook and render fat from the bacon. (If you are using pancetta or prosciutto, skip this step and just saute it with the garlic.) Once the bacon is almost crisp, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Do not clean the pan.
Add the olive oil and, when it is hot, return the bacon to the pan along with the garlic. Saute until the garlic turns light golden brown, then add the onion and saute until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the vodka and let it reduce by half, then add the tomatoes, red pepper and salt. Simmer the sauce uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the heavy cream and simmer another 10 minutes.
Once you've aded the cream, put the pasta in the boiling water and cook until al dente according to package directions. Remove the sauce from the heat, add the basil and the cheese, and stir well. Drain the pasta, shock it with a little cold water, and return it to the pot it was cooked in. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix gently until the pasta is coated completely. Serve immediately.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

 

[englishteacha]

I want to order "fancy" pizza from our nice restaurant in town, and make DH watch a romantic movie like Stardust with me.

 

[windycitymom]

Not sure what you're budget is, but this time of year a lot of grocery stores have fliet mingon and lobster on sale. It's still more expensive than say chicken, but a lot less than what you can usually get it for, and WAY less than a restaurant. Check the sale ads the weekend before V-day and see if they have anything that will fit your budget. If they don't, then you can move on to a plan B.

I was going to say the same thing -Check your grocery store sales ad. I see you are from Chicago too. At Jewel, they are currently selling a 6 oz. filet mignon for 2.98 each. Lobster tails are $5.98 each. Asparagus is $1.99 lb.

I think you could serve anything as long as it was served by candlelight...or even hotdogs in the fireplace LOL turn off all the lights and spread a tablecloth in front of the fireplace. Make s'mores for dessert. We did that when our kids were little.

 

[PixiePlanner]

I think you could serve anything as long as it was served by candlelight...or even hotdogs in the fireplace LOL turn off all the lights and spread a tablecloth in front of the fireplace. Make s'mores for dessert. We did that when our kids were little.

We've done this too!!! Lightbulb moment! We'll do this on Saturday!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Sure- I tried several before I chose this one and everyone who has it says it is much better than most restaurants. Now since I always make a sauce that simmers all day on sundays- I use one can tomatoes and one can full of my sauce. But this recipe is the best!


Penne alla Vodka Recipe
Ingredients
1/4 pound bacon, diced (can also use pancetta or prosciutto)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlicgarlic, peeled and halved
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 cup vodka
2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, with their juice, pureed in a blender
1 tsp crushed red pepper
Salt, to taste
1 cup heavy cream or 1-1/2 cups evaporated skim milk (for a leaner version)
2 (16-ounce) boxes penne pasta
24 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1-1/2 cups freshly grated Romano cheese
Instructions
Place a large pot of cold, salted water over high heat to come to a boil.
In a large saute pan on medium heat, cook and render fat from the bacon. (If you are using pancetta or prosciutto, skip this step and just saute it with the garlic.) Once the bacon is almost crisp, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Do not clean the pan.
Add the olive oil and, when it is hot, return the bacon to the pan along with the garlic. Saute until the garlic turns light golden brown, then add the onion and saute until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the vodka and let it reduce by half, then add the tomatoes, red pepper and salt. Simmer the sauce uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the heavy cream and simmer another 10 minutes.
Once you've aded the cream, put the pasta in the boiling water and cook until al dente according to package directions. Remove the sauce from the heat, add the basil and the cheese, and stir well. Drain the pasta, shock it with a little cold water, and return it to the pot it was cooked in. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix gently until the pasta is coated completely. Serve immediately.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Thank you so much!

 

[AntePrincess]

I want to order "fancy" pizza from our nice restaurant in town, and make DH watch a romantic movie like Stardust with me.

Ok, you and I are going to be best friends. We do exactly that every Friday night, with Stardust being our standby movie. We're also huge into afternoon tea and Anglophiles, and we've been looking at a place in Maine. I seriously double-checked that I didn't write that! However, there's going to be yet more snow Saturday into Sunday, so we can't rely on ordering in (although that remains my plan A).

Oh, and the definite "if we must cook" dinner plan for Valentines Day this year: breaded lamb chops (DH voted lamb over steak), mushrooms and onions, green beans almondine, red potatoes, and whatever dessert he feels moved to make. He loves cooking, so I just got some basics so he has the freedom to follow his dessert producing muse. The lamb and the red potatoes were on sale, incidentally so is the steak which I got anyway for another occasion.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

Cornish game Hens. They are easy to cook. Find a recipe that calls out to you. They are pretty cheap, and they are unique. Most people don't make them on a regular rotation so they would be special.

 

[jodifla]

We're having crepes...and of course wine. I've rented a couple of movies, too.

 

[Terry36]

Sure- I tried several before I chose this one and everyone who has it says it is much better than most restaurants. Now since I always make a sauce that simmers all day on sundays- I use one can tomatoes and one can full of my sauce. But this recipe is the best!


Penne alla Vodka Recipe
Ingredients
1/4 pound bacon, diced (can also use pancetta or prosciutto)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlicgarlic, peeled and halved
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 cup vodka
2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, with their juice, pureed in a blender
1 tsp crushed red pepper
Salt, to taste
1 cup heavy cream or 1-1/2 cups evaporated skim milk (for a leaner version)
2 (16-ounce) boxes penne pasta
24 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1-1/2 cups freshly grated Romano cheese
Instructions
Place a large pot of cold, salted water over high heat to come to a boil.
In a large saute pan on medium heat, cook and render fat from the bacon. (If you are using pancetta or prosciutto, skip this step and just saute it with the garlic.) Once the bacon is almost crisp, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Do not clean the pan.
Add the olive oil and, when it is hot, return the bacon to the pan along with the garlic. Saute until the garlic turns light golden brown, then add the onion and saute until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the vodka and let it reduce by half, then add the tomatoes, red pepper and salt. Simmer the sauce uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the heavy cream and simmer another 10 minutes.
Once you've aded the cream, put the pasta in the boiling water and cook until al dente according to package directions. Remove the sauce from the heat, add the basil and the cheese, and stir well. Drain the pasta, shock it with a little cold water, and return it to the pot it was cooked in. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix gently until the pasta is coated completely. Serve immediately.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This seems yummy...can I eliminate the bacon and not take away from the dish?

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

This seems yummy...can I eliminate the bacon and not take away from the dish?

If you have a problem with pork I would replace it with beef or turkey bacon.

Bacon adds a smokey under flavor that is very important to most dishes that call for it.

 

[Terry36]

If you have a problem with pork I would replace it with beef or turkey bacon.

Bacon adds a smokey under flavor that is very important to most dishes that call for it.

Great thanks for the advice.