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Tag : round-up

A Valentine’s Day Menu + 6 Romantic Dinner Tips

A Valentine’s Day Menu + 6 Romantic Dinner Tips

February 9, 2014 3 comments Article

Cooking a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two is one of the best ways to spend Valentine's Day. I’ve put together some of my favorite Valentine’s Day recipes, along with 6 romantic dinner tips to ensure a night filled with love, laughter and delicious food.

Tip #1: Don’t work too hard

Keep the menu simple and easy to prepare. A great way to do this is to rely on great ingredients. Buy the best and freshest ingredients you can find. This is the time to ask the butcher for a hand cut steak, or stop by the bakery for a crusty loaf of bread. French cheeses, artisanal pasta and farm-fresh vegetables don’t need a lot of preparation to taste amazing. Spend your time flirting instead of cooking.

Tip #2: Prepare playful food

Gazing into each other’s eyes while you fork food into your mouth is great, but feeding each other is better (even if you are just buttering their bread). When you have something to do with your hands; eating is more fun. That’s why fondue is such a romantic dish. If you don't have a fondue set (and don't mind getting messy), a pile of King or Snow crab is a fun meal to tackle, For the more reserved, a simple plate full of sliced prosciutto, cheeses, olives and figs is a great choice for an easy appetizer. The more you use your fingers, the better.

You can take this a step further by cooking together. Turn on some mood music, pour two glasses of wine and get busy in the kitchen. This is a great way to get comfortable with someone.

A Valentine’s Day Menu + 6 Romantic Dinner Tips: Easy appetizer recipe | Prosciutto, Burrata cheese and fig crostini

Prosciutto, Burrata cheese and fig crostini

Playful menu suggestions:

Prosciutto, Burrata Cheese and Fig Crostini

Beer Cheese Fondue from Melanie Makes

Baked Brie with Fig Spread from The Little Kitchen
 

Tip #3: Nibble all night long

Sometimes it’s fun to skip the big dinner and nibble through the evening instead. Light a warm fire, turn on a favorite movie and get cozy with a big selection of yummy treats. This dinner tip takes the hands-on approach to the next level.

Delicious (and easy) nibbles:

Pate
Olives
Cheeses and crusty bread
Fresh fruit

Smoked salmon
Shrimp cocktail
Caviar
Berries and cream

A Valentine’s Day Menu + 6 Romantic Dinner Tips | Easy Appetizer Recipe| Black olive & anchovy tapenade

Black olive & anchovy tapenade

Nibble-y menu suggestions:

 Shrimp cocktail with Sriracha Lime Cocktail Sauce from Alaska from Scratch

Mushroom Pate from My Custard Pie

Endive with Smoked Salmon and Boursin Cheese from Gluten Free Blondie

Tip #4: Keep it Light

If you are cooking an entree, don’t make a heavy meal. The last thing you want is to fall into a food coma when you are shooting for an evening of romance. Stay away from huge steaks, casseroles and heavy pasta. If you do make a steak, keep portion size small and steer away from starchy sides.

A Valentine’s Day Menu + 6 Romantic Dinner Tips | London Broil with wild mushroom sauce

London Broil with wild mushroom sauce

London Broil with wild mushroom sauce

Light (entree) Menu Suggestions

London Broil with Wild Mushroom Sauce

Salmon with Dill Sauce, Beluga Lentils, Sauteed Leeks

Asparagus and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast from The Organic Kitchen
 

Tip #5: Be Adventurous

Try something you haven’t had before. Experiencing things together is bonding, and sexy--even if you spit it out! Cook something daring or try a favorite food in a new way. Do you love going out for ceviche or sushi? You can make them easily at home.

A Valentine’s Day Menu + 6 Romantic Dinner Tips | Ceviche recipe | Cherry tomato and white fish

Ceviche recipe | Cherry tomato and white fish

Adventurous Menu Suggestions

Cherry tomato and white fish ceviche

Ahi Tuna Ceviche with Sesame and Mint

Salmon Poke from Recipe Paiges

Duck fat confit of garlic and mushrooms

Salmon Nigiri from Manu's Menu

Tip #6: Serve up an Aphrodisiac

Just the thought of eating food considered an aphrodisiac is sexy. Pull out all the stops by serving a full meal consisting of aphrodisiacs. It gives your meal a theme, and pretty much ensures a romantic evening.

Some top aphrodisiacs:

Oysters
Asparagus
Chocolate
Figs
Chili peppers

Honey
Red wine
Truffles
Strawberries
Cinnamon

A Valentine’s Day Menu + 6 Romantic Dinner Tips | Strawberry mousse in chocolate cups

Strawberry mousse in chocolate cups

Aphrodisiac Menu Suggestions:

Strawberry Mousse in Chocolate Cups

Oysters on Ice with Shallots, Red Wine Vinegar and Lemon from Cooking Melangery

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus from Rotin Rice

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Hi Hat Cupcakes from Pineapple & Coconut

Red Velvet Sandwich Heart Cookies from Jen's Favorite Cookies

 

I hope this gave you some delicious ideas for a romantic Valentine's Day menu. Happy Valentine's Day from Love and Duck Fat!

A Valentine’s Day Menu + 6 Romantic Dinner Tips

A Valentine’s Day Menu + 6 Romantic Dinner Tips

What is your favorite romantic menu idea? Please share in the comments below!

Tags: Menus, Round Up, Valentine's Day
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Top 10 recipes of 2013

Top 10 recipes of 2013

December 30, 2013 No comments Article

Love and Duck Fat was born July of 2013, and those six months have been quite a ride! To celebrate the end of the year, I’m doing my own countdown with a list of Love and Duck Fat’s top 10 recipes of 2013.

Creamy Potato and Fennel Soup

#10. Creamy potato and fennel soup

Caribbean goat stew

#9. Caribbean goat stew

Baby food recipe | chicken and peas

#8 Homemade baby food chicken and peas

Spanish Octopus Stew | Love and Duck Fat

#7. Spanish octopus stew

Baby food recipe | Chicken stew

#6. Baby food chicken stew

Apple cake with whipped cream frosting

#5. Apple cake with whipped cream frosting

Easy appetizer recipe | Prosciutto, Burrata cheese and fig crostini

#4. Prosciutto, Burrata cheese and fig crostini

Homemade s'more cookies

#3. Homemade s’mores cookies

Chocolate coconut cake with coconut meringue buttercream frosting.

#2. Chocolate coconut cake

Chocolate pumpkin cake with spiced brown butter frosting

#1 Chocolate pumpkin cake 

 

Looking back at these recipes,it tickles me to see what recipes are hits, because I never know what will happen when I hit that “publish” button. Goat Stew? Octopus? Baby food? I never thought those would be top recipes, but they are. It’s hard to believe I’ve published nearly 100 posts in just six months (has it only been 6 months?).  I’ve learned so much, made new friends and somehow managed to keep my sanity, and my waistline.  I look forward to continuing this journey in 2014 with new recipes and experiences, including the successes and the fails.  Love and Duck Fat will most likely have a “maleover” at some point this year, with a new recipe catalog and layout. I also look forward to sharing more stories as my son and I make our way through his 2nd year.

 

Top 10 recipes of 2013

Top 10 recipes of 2013

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