Cooking for Valentine’s Day: Recipes from Local Food Bloggers

From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.

Sure, making a reservation and enjoying a nice meal in a restaurant on Valentine’s Day is one way to go. However, for those who prefer not to sit two feet too close to a complete stranger at a 5 pm setting or be charged a bit too much for a prix fixe menu, making a delicious and romantic meal at home is the way to go.

Deciding on the menu can be a bit tricky, but lucky for you, some local food bloggers have done the dirty work. All you need to do is click, shop and get to work. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a nice bottle of wine.

Appetizer Options

Have these cooked and ready to go for your Valentine to munch on while you finish up the rest of the evening’s prep.

• Yotam’s Taleggio Stuffed Portobellos from Arugula Files.
• Bacon-Wrapped Figs from Arugula Files.
• Fried Squash Blossoms from Not Derby Pie.

Entrée Options

• Nothing says HEART like POM Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Shallots and Carrots from Mango & Tomato.
• Impress your Valentine with a Top Chef meal. Try Mike Isabella’s Pepperoni Sauce from Girl Meets Food. Pair with some pasta, some pizza or serve it over some meat.
• Snapper with Harissa and Rose from Not Derby Pie is sure to get your evening heated.
• Ratatouille Topped with Goat Cheese and Pesto Vinaigrette from Arugula Files is a fresh and savory meal.

Dessert

• You can’t go wrong with heart shaped s’mores from Amanda McClements or try Fifth Floor Kitchen’s coconut macaroons with chocolate. 

Cocktails

• Amanda’s Aperol Bourbon Sour and Mrs. Wheelbarrow’s Salty Dog are two great cocktail options to whip-up.

Breakfast

• If you can’t do dinner with your Valentine, consider letting him/her sleep-in while you make something yummy for breakfast. Try Girl Meets Food’s fruity and rich take on French toast or Mango & Tomato’s heart shaped breakfast: Smoked Salmon, Egg & Avocado Cilantro Cream Cheese on an English Muffin.

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