Dinner for Two: Small Meal Ideas for Valentine's Day

Thinking about staying in for Valentine's Day this year? So many of our home-cooked meals veer toward the practical and budget-friendly that can feel really special to splurge on an elegant homemade dinner for two! Here are some ideas we've been toying with making for our own Valentine's Dinner.

1. Homemade Pasta - Nothing says love like a batch of homemade pasta (at least in our opinion!). Our basic recipe makes plenty for two with a little leftover, and you can top it with any sauce that suits your fancy. We've had this Tagliatelle with Chestnuts, Proscuitto and Sage from Gourmet on our list for a while.

2. Steamed Mussels - We absolutely love mussels, but we often forget how easy and fun it is to make them at home. They can be a simple starter for the dinner or serve them over some linguini for a full meal. We're eying this recipe for Buttery Steamed Mussels with Sake and Chilis from Epicurious.

3. Braised Short Ribs - Just buy two of the meatiest short ribs you can find and scale back the braising liquid to make this into a dinner for two. These Southwestern Braised Short Ribs from Fine Cooking sound like they'd add some spice to the evening!

4. Creamy Risotto - Risotto is another recipe that is easy to scale back to two people. Most recipes use 2 cups of rice to feed 4-6 people, so just cut the entire recipe in half. A good Mushroom Risotto like this one from Martha Stewart is a sure winner.

5. Fish in Parchment - This is a simple and elegant way to prepare fish - and get it right every time. Throw some veggies into the parchment packet along with the fish and you've got an entire meal! We like the sound of this recipe for Asian-Style Halibut in Parchment from Real Simple.

What will you be making for Valentine's Day?

(Images: Romulo Yanes/Gourmet, Cos Poulos/Bon Appétit, Fine Cooking, Martha Stewart, John Kernick/Real Simple)

Comments (10)

Did steamed Mussels earlier this week for my hubby's b-day. Very yummy with a nice baguette and espresso mouse for desert!

I saw lobster tails for $4.99 each so I am going with that!

Yes, because everyone loves a little tail on Valentine's Day. :)

Oh, I wish I'd thought of lobster tail for this post! Brilliant!

I love the plate in the first picture.

I liked the plate, too! Any ideas for vegetarian and mushroom-free meals? That risotto looks lovely but my bf is a vegetarian of the picky variety.

Donsie -
Instead of a mushroom risotto, I love asparagus. I buy the beautiful thin asparagus, dice to about fingernail size, and toss in during one of the final stages of a basic oniony-buttery risotto. Add a little parm, and yum! The asparagus flavors the whole dish, makes it taste fresher and lighter.

Not being a vegetarian, I'll be pairing this with a splurge on whatever seafood looks most delicious at the market! Hurray for Valentine's Day at home - spend half the money, avoid the crowds, and enjoy the leftovers! MMmm asparagus rice cakes for lunch on the 15th...

@Donsie_Lass
-Homemade pizza can be an excellent vegetarian meal, if not particularly fancy. Roasted zucchini and peppers go nicely over tomato sauce, then add something salty like olives or sundried tomatoes. No cheese for vegans and some soft goat cheese or feta otherwise.
-Buckwheat crepes (homemade or store-bought) with a goat cheese and roasted red pepper filling.
-A big lasagna filled with spinach/ricotta or roasted veggies in a bechamel sauce (white lasagna).
-Ravioli stuffed with pumpkin or butternut squash and sage.
-A veggie stir-fry can look elegant if you use bright veggies and don't overcook. Make a pretty mound of rice by molding it inside a measuring cup, top with veggies, sprinkle with peanuts and beansprouts. Serve some sesame tofu on the side.
-Veg. sushi with miso soup, salad, edamame, and a salad.

We're doing panko-crusted goat cheese on arugula and mixed greens; then seared scallops with a broth of chicken stock, hoisin sauce, scallions, and mirin; then David Chang's shrimp and grits from the Momofuku cookbook. And we'll be drinking some Mumm Napa champagne and finish off with chocolate cake disks (recipe: Epicurious' two-layer chocolate cake) with raspberry sauce.

I LOVE mussels. Everyday not just special occasions.

Moving on, I really like the sound of making fish and veggies inside parchment paper - never heard of that and something I will have to try. Thanks for the tip!