12 Delicious Recipes That Will Almost Guarantee a Proposal
From a gooey baked brie to a luxurious lemon and lavender tart, these recipes will inspire a confession of love at first bite.
Let's be real, gone are the days of Valentine's Day being solely about celebrating having a romantic partner. It's more wonderful to view this day as a celebration of love in all its forms, and we like to approach February 14th as a great excuse to spoil anyone you care for, including yourself. And while a thoughtful gift will always go down a treat, another way to show your love for those you care about most is through a wonderful home-cooked meal.
Whether you're planning a romantic night for two, meeting up with a group of girlfriends, or spending the night alone, these delicious recipes are sure to enhance your night and make everyone involved feel extra special. And if you'd like to elevate things even further, a dreamy table setting is sure to leave a lasting impression – you can find some inspiration here.
Starters/sides
1. Baked Brie With Chilli, Thyme, and Honey
This cheesy delight is the perfect indulgent treat to kickstart your date night. Victoria Minell has topped the creamy French cheese with chilli for a kick, thyme for a herby note, and honey for sweetness – the flavour profile is deliciously balanced.
2. Pan Con Tomate
This special starter will set the Vday mood. A Spanish tapas classic celebrating the humble tomato in all its glory, pan con tomate translates to 'bread with tomato'. It makes for a lovely entree to whet your appetite for heavier dishes.
3. Tofu Cabbage Rolls
If you'd like to add some freshness to your date menu, these tofu cabbage rolls are your answer. Combining an array of fresh aromatics, these delicious little tofu and cabbage parcels are bursting with flavour. Serve them as appetisers or up the quantity for a main, these delightful creations fuse texture and taste.
Mains
4. Spicy Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca
Looking to add some spice to your evening? We've got the recipe for you. Those who love a salty snack will salivate at the ingredients list which consists of anchovies, capers, and two kinds of olives in a rich tomato sauce. Topped with parsley for freshness and parmesan for added bite, this pasta dish is balanced, bright, and downright delicious.
5. Into the Sauce’s Pea and Ricotta Pasta with Parmesan Breadcrumbs
Italian food is the way to anyone's heart, and Into the Sauce founder, Tori Falzon's quick-to-whip-up pea and ricotta pasta is guaranteed to impress. Elevated with tasty parmesan breadcrumbs, it will set hearts aflutter.
6. Foglie D’Ulivo With Romesco Sauce and Burrata
Gabriella Simonian of No Regretti Spaghetti's olive leaf-shaped pasta dish is served with a rich and flavourful romesco sauce and topped with the creamy decadence of burrata. It's a simple yet indulgent dish that will bring the essence of the Mediterranean into your date night.
7. Risotto Verde With Peas, Spinach, and Parsley
This delightful risotto verde embraces the creaminess we love from this Northern Italian staple and is further elevated with fresh greenery. It's a rich and heartwarming dish that feels perfectly fit for a cosy night in.
8. Cavatelli With Creamy Tomato Sauce and Stracciatella
Why not turn your date night into an at-home pasta-making session?Gabriella Simonian of No Regretti Spaghetti's divine and simple cavatelli dish is here to tempt you. Gabriella's sauce of choice for her cavatelli is a creamy roasted tomato blend served with dollops of stracciatella cheese and fresh basil leaves
Dessert
9. Salted Tahini Brownies
Chocolate might just be the most romantic ingredient there is And while there's a surplus of brownie recipes out there, we think this one takes the cake. With its deliciously fudgy and rich chocolate flavour perfectly contrasted and enhanced by the tahini swirl and kosher salt flakes, it's sure to make hearts melt.
10. Clementine Day's Lemon and Lavender Curd Tart
Want to whip up a sweet dessert for your sweetheart? A lemon tart is one of those classic, refreshing desserts that perfectly rounds off any meal. This bright delight has a crispy, buttery crust that perfectly complements the silky, zesty filling, and Clementine Day's addition of lavender gives it a lovely fragrant touch and delicate look.
11. Tiramisu With Amaretto and Toasted Hazelnuts
There's something decidedly romantic about tiramisu. Luxuriously rich cream layers, hints of espresso, bursts of rum and Amaretto, delicately soaked ladyfingers, crunchy hazelnuts and a light dusting of chocolate — what's not to love?
12. Sicilian Apple Cake
Spark some romance with this deliciously perfumed cake. It features a generous amount of juicy apples, warm tones of cinnamon, rum-soaked sultanas, and the nutty goodness of walnuts and pine nuts.
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