Happy Valentine’s Day!
Whatever you’re doing today I hope you’re feeling the love. I don’t know about you but I’m pretty good at leaving things until the last minute. I didn’t plan my Valentine’s dinner menu until last night (but it’s going to be fantastic!) and have some serious cooking to do today. If you’re in the same boat but still looking for inspiration, I’ve put together a few menu suggestions to help you out. There’s one in there for the more kitchen-challenged readers too.
Menu One – the easy but professional looking menu
This menu is super simple but will be sure to wow your special someone.
Spinach and ricotta cannelloni
This recipe is seriously easy to make but it looks and tastes fantastic. You can serve it with whatever you like and it takes just a few simple ingredients and about 5 minutes prep time.
Passionate strawberry parfait
The dessert requires no cooking at all – just assembly. How could you resist as dessert with ‘passionate’ in the name on Valentine’s Day?
Menu Two – the menu for really hot weather/health conscious
This menu can be served cold or at room temperature – perfect for the late summer that has finally arrived here in Queensland. The lasagna is super healthy and I like to think of the pavlova as moderately healthy seeing as it has fruit and yoghurt in it (that makes it healthy right?).
Vietnamese lasagna
This is pretty quick to throw together but seriously tasty. It can be served hot, cold or at room temperature.
Brown sugar pavlova
I could talk about this pavlova forever. It’s so so so very good.
Menu three – the extra effort menu (but not too much)
Chorizo chicken with risoni
This recipe is full of flavour and not too heavy. Most of the effort is in the prep work then you can have time to set a romantic table while it’s all cooking.
Flourless choc-hazelnut cake
I had to throw in a chocolate recipe for Valentine’s Day. Love screams chocolate to me. Years of being bombarded with advertisements has obviously conditioned me to think this way.
I hope I’ve provided a bit of inspiration for you. Whatever you are doing tonight, have a wonderful night and enjoy your meal!
ps If anyone needs any help with a recipe email, tweet or Faccebook me. I’m happy to help.
I am Claire & I love food. Here you'll find my favourite recipes, tips, tricks, restaurants & plates full of frivolity with the odd crafty post. New inspiration posted daily.
Wow! I’m super impressed. You’re just back from your amazing holiday and you’ve done so much cooking. I know we should all be eating chocolate on Valentines Day but I just can’t stop focusing on your beautiful brown sugar pavlova. Delicious! And I also love the Vietnamese lasagne! That’s a new one for me. Great cooking Claire!
Haha I wish, they’re old posts that I’ve put together. The Vietnamese lasagne is really good!
Great menu ideas!!! You especially sold me with the chocolate cake!!!
Can’t go past chocolate can you? I’m making a new chocolate recipe for dessert tonight.
Happy Valentines Day Claire! Great ideas for those of us that love dining in and thanks for covering those that are looking to eat a bit lighter-it’s hot today!!
Happy Valentine’s Day Lorraine! It’s hot indeed!
Happy Valentine’s Day
what a fab menu!
Happy Valentine’s Day Nic!
Love the sound of the flourless cake. Yum!
Lizzy it’s fabulous. A nice change from almond meal in a flourless cake.
I’m with you! I always leave everything till the last minute
sometimes i’m extra bad and I just don’t do anything and just end up buying a dessert or cake for Mr Bao 
So well done for coming up with these menu plans~
Hope you guys have had a ‘LOVEly’ day
I seem to work better at the last minute. Yesterday I didn’t start getting everything ready until 3.30 and Will was expected home in 2 hours. I managed just fine!
Wow so much coking, it all looks wonderful. I thought brown sugar affected meringue badly but have wanted to try it. Now I have a recipe, thank you. GG
I would have thought so too but it works out beautifully. You’ll love it!
Some great menu ideas there! I really like the look of the flourless chocolate hazelnut cake! Who doesn’t love chocolate on Valentines day!
It’s a great cake. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like chocolate on Valentine’s Day!