Valentine's Day Dinner & Dessert Recipe Ideas

Valentine's day is Tuesday February 14, 2017. So I wanted to share with you some dinner and dessert recipe ideas that are worth trying out this Valentines day. To learn more about the recipe idea click on the pictures below.

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed

• 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges

• 1/3 c. plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 4 c. torn kale, collards, or mustard greens

• ½ c. fresh flat-leaf parsley

• 2 oz. grated Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup), plus more for serving

• 1 clove garlic

• 2 tsp. lemon zest, plus 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice

• 12 oz. bucatini

• toasted pine nuts, for serving

Ingredients

Big Sexy Steaks

• 1 teaspoon canola oil

• 2 1 ½ inch-thick filet mignon steaks, aka big sexy steaks, 12 to 14 ounces total

• ½ teaspoons each kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 1 large shallot, minced

• ½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

• 1/4 cup sweet vermouth

• 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken or beef broth

• ½ teaspoon corn starch

Tarragon Mushrooms

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 sliced scallions, white and green parts separated

• 4 cups sliced mixed mushrooms, wild, shiitake and/or white

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon

Ingredients

For the meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 pound ground pork

• 2 large eggs

• ½ cup plain bread crumbs

• ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

For the gravy

• 1 medium shallot, minced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 tablespoons flour

• 2 cups chicken or beef stock

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

For the roasted garlic mashed potatoes

• 4 large baking potatoes, peeled and diced

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

• ¼ cup buttermilk

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ¾ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated

• 8 garlic cloves, peeled

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the roasted kale

• 4 cups fresh chopped kale

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Ingredients

• 4 grouper fillets, or other firm fish such as halibut, cod, or salmon

• 1 tsp. Kosher salt

• ½ tsp. Freshly ground pepper

• 2 tbsp. olive oil

• 2 medium zucchini

• 1 large shallot

• 1½ c. fresh yellow corn kernels or frozen whole-kernel corn

• 2 clove garlic

• 1½ c. cherry tomatoes

• 2 tbsp. cold butter

• ¼ c. torn basil leaves

Ingredients

• *6 egg yolks

• 3 tablespoons sugar

• 1 pound mascarpone cheese

• 1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled

• 2 teaspoons dark rum

• 24 packaged ladyfingers

• 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

• 3/4 cup butter

• 3 eggs

• 3 egg yolks

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• Powdered sugar

Ingredients

• 1 pound milk chocolate, chopped

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 9 - ounce package chocolate wafer cookies (40 to 45 cookies)

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces

• 1 cup slivered almonds

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 4 8 - ounce packages cream cheese, softened

• 1 8 - ounce carton dairy sour cream

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1/3 cup buttermilk

• 1 1 - ounce bottle red food coloring (2 Tbsp.)

• 4 eggs

• 2 egg yolks

• Chocolate leaves (optional)

• Powdered sugar (optional)

• Unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)

• Fresh raspberries and/or small whole strawberries (optional)

Ingredients

Cookies

• 60 g egg whites room temperature

• 65 g granulated sugar

• 75 g almond powder

• 55 g powdered sugar

• fuschia color gel

CInnamon Buttercream

• 1/4 recipe Simple Vanilla Buttercream

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 c. water

• 1 c. sugar

• 3/4 c. Unsweetened cocoa powder

• pinch of salt

• 3/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract