Paula Deen has crafted a very special Valentine’s Day dinner menu because sharing a romantic dinner is the perfect way to spend a Valentine’s Day evening with your loved one. This year, instead of battling the crowds and footing an expensive bill, why not create a Valentine’s Day dinner at home? All it takes is a little planning and some excellent recipes to make restaurant-quality food in your own kitchen. Throw in some simple decorations, and voila—you have transformed your dinner table into a perfect setting for a romantic meal.
Often, when eating out at a restaurant on Valentine’s Day, the chef prepares a prix fixe menu, or a menu consisting of an already-chosen appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Adding courses to your homemade Valentine’s Day meal and making dishes fancier than the average week night makes it feel extra special and decedent, so you’ll find that this dinner menu includes Valentine’s Day dinner recipes for an appetizer, entrée (with sides), dessert, and ideas for decorating the table.
First Course
A wonderful first course is oyster stew. Oysters have long been thought of as a romantic food—even an aphrodisiac. Paula’s Oyster Stew is so rich and creamy, and it’s simple to make. It is a perfect way to start your special meal.
Second Course
Black Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon with Goat Cheese is a great main course to make your sweetheart feel extra special. Filet mignon is a fancier steak that you wouldn’t prepare every day, which makes it really fitting for this occasion. The red pepper salsa jazzes it up a bit, and the hint of red from the peppers goes with the theme of the evening.
On the Side
Romance and comfort go hand in hand, and what better comfort food is there than mashed potatoes. Mashed Potatoes with Sautéed Mushrooms steps up the old classic a bit. The sautéed mushrooms add a depth of flavor and make this dish much less ordinary. Another lovely side to go along with the steak and mashed potatoes is this Roasted Beet Salad with Cocoa Vinaigrette. Cocoa-infused salad dressing on Valentine’s Day? Yum! This is such a vibrant and beautiful salad with the orange slices and the beets. A thinly sliced beet almost looks like the shape of a heart and is definitely the right color.
For Dessert
Sweet treats are an age-old tradition in celebrating love, and sweets don’t get much more fun than this Classic Chocolate Fondue. Serve them with your favorite fruits and sweets, like strawberries, pound cake, brownies, or pineapple, for a fantastic ending to your romantic meal.
Set the Table
Now that you have the menu planned, some simple decorations will be the finishing touches on your night:
- Simply setting your table with a nice tablecloth and dishes will make it feel more special than an average night at home.
- Printing or handwriting your menu on some nice red paper and setting them on the table will remind you of a night out at a fancy restaurant.
- Make a centerpiece out of red candles and beautiful flowers. It’s a classic way to spruce things up and tie it all together.
- For some whimsical fun, use a heart-shaped hole punch or scissors to cut out confetti to sprinkle all around.
And there you have it, a decadent delicious meal and a beautiful table to make your romantic night one to remember.
