Italian Valentine's Day dinner any ideas and hints?

[QueenIsabella]

Definitely look for a good tiramisu! I've had some amazing ones, and I don't even like coffee!

Italians aren't huge on dessert, generally. Cookies and biscotti are common. My grandma used to make these strips of dough--like a pie crust--that she'd fry up, then put on a white glaze and nonpariels. I have no idea what it's called. And she'd have almond nougat that came in individual boxes. And the Dunkin' Donuts.

A grocery store with a good bakery would likely have cannolis and tiramisu--again, it tends to be regional, but Publix has a really good bakery. It wouldn't hurt to look at Valentine's Day specials, too--they might offer deals, and/or something different.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Those sound like good suggestions and we plan to have pizza but the pasta and the desserts are what we are having trouble finding. But Mom has liked the Barrila Pastas and we plan to buy those if we cannot find the pastas. What Italian desserts would be great to have at my Italian Valentine's Day Dinner?. Because so far the only desserts I found were cannolis

I’m a bit confused and am unsure what is being spoken of. Barilla makes pasta so is it that your local stores don’t carry the brand? As for dessert cookies- are Stella D’Oro cookies sold at your local market? If so you are in luck as they are quite tasty.

 

[NYCgrrl]

If you have the time and patience….

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015181-marcella-hazans-bolognese-sauce

pickup some fresh pasta from your grocery store

Ms. Hazan was a true goddess! I make her tomato sauce all the time and it’s so dead simple to make and the taste is intense. Give it a try if you’re so inclined. Your mouth will thank you:

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015178-marcella-hazans-tomato-sauce?q=Marcella Hazan tomato

 

[lanejudy]

Are you looking for ready-to-eat food that you can order? Or something to make at home?

Stuffed shells, lasagna and ravioli bake are favorites here for pasta night. The ravioli bake is really simple -- I buy frozen ravioli, a jar of sauce and some shredded mozzarella and/or grated parmesan cheese. I use a lasagna recipe that doesn't require pre-cooking the noodles. Stuffed shells takes a little effort and can get messy the first couple of times you try to do it, but not bad.

Living with 2 diabetics I guess I'm much too carb-conscious. I can't imagine pizza and pasta at the same meal, and with bread as a side. Then desserts. But enjoy your Italian Valentine's Day!

 

[firefly_ris]

If you're not able to get to or don't have an italian store nearby here are some manageable grocery store item ideas --

Simple marinara with spaghetti and meatballs. I'm not sure I remember how old you are or what your cooking experience is but if you prefer you can try frozen meatballs for this instead of making them. Marinara is very simple to make. Then you just need some regular spaghetti.

For this one you could skip making the dough, many grocery stores sell ready to go pizza dough that is refrigerated. Then you can proceed from there.

Lastly for dessert, a lot of grocery store bakeries sell small portions of ready made tiramisu. Some also sell cannoli kits where the filling is already made and you just have to fill the shells (don't do too far ahead or the shells will get soggy and gross). I live in the sticks and my local grocery store sells it, as well as pre packaged italian cookies. Will they be the most authentic thing in the world? No but plenty tasty and will go just fine with your theme. Hope this can help you.

 

[lovesmurfs]

This is my FAVORITE lasagne recipe: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/traditional-lasagna/

I love it because it's easy and gives specificity to how much to use on each layer. It's really tasty.

 

[dizneegirl]

If you're having pizza as well, I might think about something like pasta cacio e pepe to go with it. It comes from Rome, and is literally "pasta with cheese and pepper" - and it's very easy to make (or you can find a pre-made sauce, Trader Joe's has one that's pretty good). Or maybe a pasta carbonara (pasta with egg yolks, cheese and pancetta/bacon). That way you wouldn't be having a lot of tomato sauce. Or pasta with an alredo sauce (also easy to make, or to find pre-made in a jar).

Panna cotta would be a good dessert, too. Or zeppoles (italian donuts).

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

For desert, it can only be one thing.

All other deserts are secondary.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

My mom is having an Italian themed dinner for Valentine's Day and I would like some ideas and hints on how to make it perfect for her? Mom wants a dinner of pizza and pasta but I can't find any good pastas besides spaghetti and then for dessert she wants Italian cookies and chocolates and I would like to know where to find Italian cookies for our dinner and we also plan to have Italian bread too with dinner. Where can you find good pasta and Italian cookies and chocolates?

Are you making the pizza and pasta or ordering in? Pizza is my absolute favorite but I don't make that at home. They are several very good pizza places near me. For Pasta: how about ziti, stuffed shells, chicken parm. or lasagna? We had a gathering at our house and someone bought Oliver Garden salad and breadsticks. It was a big hit. I also like italian cookies a lot. Bought some for Christmas at Publix. Publix has smaller italian cookie offering throughout the year. A really good diner would also sell them. There are also Italian speciality stores (some that also serve food as well as sell it). Maybe there is one near you.