Romantic Valentine Dinner Ideas

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My husband and I will celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day this year. Rather than fight the crowds and long lines, we’ll often stay home on our anniversary, and I’ll make a special dinner. Valentine’s Day calls for Romantic Valentine Dinner Ideas!

I love setting an intimate table for two with candles, some Frank Sinatra playing softly in the background, a great bottle of wine, and maybe even roses. Then making a favorite meal I know my husband will love. If the menu is complicated, early preparation is required so I’m not overly stressed when it comes to making the meal. It is my anniversary, too, after all!

Here are Five Romantic Valentine Dinner Ideas to make for your loved one. 

#1 – A Night of French Cuisine

I’m not sure there is anything more romantic than a French dinner for two. The French have a reputation for romance, don’t you know — ooh la la.

Wine Suggestion: If desired, serve this dinner with a nice Chardonnay, such as Kendall-Jackson’s Grand Reserve Chardonnay or Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay.

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu is an easy, yet elegant recipe for a special dinner. Tender and lightly seasoned chicken breasts rolled up in ham and oozing Swiss cheese baked in a golden brown crust. It’s so good. Your family or guests will think you’ve slaved in the kitchen all day.

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

Here is an easy, yet elegant recipe for a special dinner. Serve with Asparagus with Mushroom Cream Sauce and Onion Crescent Rolls. So yummy!

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I like to serve Asparagus with Mushroom Cream Sauce for special meals, such as with Chicken Cordon Bleu. A creamy dill sauce with mushrooms and garlic, served over steamed asparagus and julienned carrots.

Asparagus with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Here's a recipe I like to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu. A drill cream sauce with mushrooms and garlic, served over steamed asparagus and julienned carrots. It really adds a special "je ne sais quoi" to the meal.

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Onion Crescent Rolls is a fantastic recipe I like to make for my family that is amazingly easy to prepare. So light and soft–like little fluffy pillows! I hope you’ll take the time to try these and that you’ll love them as much as we do!

Onion Crescent Rolls

Onion Crescent Rolls is a fantastic recipe I like to make for my family that is amazingly easy to prepare. So light and soft--like little fluffy pillows! I hope you'll take the time to try these and that you'll love them as much as we do!

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And to end this lovely romantic dinner, how about Creme Brulee with Espresso. This is an amazing dessert to serve your most honored guests. Creamy vanilla custard with the tiniest hint of coffee and a caramelized brittle topping that you must break through with a spoon. Simply divine!

Creme Brulee with Espresso

Creme Brulee with Espresso is an amazing dessert to serve your most special guests. Creamy vanilla custard with the tiniest hint of coffee and a caramelized sugar topping that you must break through with a spoon. Simply divine! 

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#2 – Italians are Romantic Too

The French are not the only ones with a reputation for romance. Those Italians are pretty romantic, too, with their vineyards, pasta, and a language that will melt your heart. Ti amo – Tesoro mio – Cuore mio! (I love you, My treasure, My heart!)

Wine Suggestion: If desired, serve this lovely dinner with a medium-bodied Merlot or Pinot Noir, such as Cambria Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir.

Chicken Parmesan with Linguine was one of the first “Italian” dishes that I learned to make. I’ll never forget pouring in the wine and thinking how tantalizing the sauce smelled with its crushed tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. And it tasted even better.

Chicken Parmesan with Linguine

Chicken Parmesan with Linguine was one of the first "Italian" dishes that I learned to make. Crispy Chicken with a tantalizing tomato herb sauce and loaded with mozzarella.

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Figs are a well-known ingredient on Italian tables. They put them in tarts, roast them with meats, make jam with them, serve them with wine and cheese. You get the idea. And they’re pretty amazing in this Spinach Salad with Fig Dressing.

Spinach Salad with Fig Dressing

Here's a delicious salad I make when I want to serve a special Italian dinner.

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Rustic Sourdough Baguettes are so delicious. Our family loves when I make them. Hard and crusty on the outside, chewy on the inside, and just the right taste of tangy sourness.

Rustic Sourdough Baguettes

Oh my goodness! This is the best recipe for Sourdough Baguettes--hard and crusty on the outside, chewy on the inside, and just the right taste of tangy sourness.

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Tiramisu with Cream Cheese is a delicious recipe to try the next time you serve an Italian dinner! Filled with coffee-flavored custard cream and freshly whipped cream layered between ladyfinger cookies and topped with a heavy sprinkling of baking cocoa. So yummy.

Tiramisu with Cream Cheese

This delicious and "nearly" classic recipe for Tiramisu is made with cream cheese instead of mascarpone, which sometimes is hard to find in our area.

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#3 – Treat Your Valentine to a Romantic Steak Dinner

Maybe you want to gear this dinner for the man of the hour. If so, I’m not sure there’s a better way than by serving him a tender steak. At least that would be one of my husband’s favorite meals. And there are few meals easier to make than steak.

Wine Suggestion – For this steak dinner, you will want to go with a medium-bodied dry red wine such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sangiovese, or Cabernet Sauvignon such as Stag’s Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon is one of the best beef entrees that I’ve had the joy of eating. Tender, juicy beef, seared in a cast iron skillet, wrapped in delicious bacon and full of fabulous flavor. Yes, it’s small compared to it’s counterpart the New York Strip, but wow, does it pack a punch! My husband and I both agree that it was the most tender, delicious steak we’ve ever eaten. It practically melts in your mouth.

Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon is one of the best beef entrees that I've had the joy of eating. Tender, juicy beef, seared in a cast iron skillet, wrapped in delicious bacon and full of fabulous flavor. It practically melts in your mouth.

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While you could easily serve rice or another form of potato with this meal, my husband loves French Fries. Here’s a delicious way to make Baked Parmesan Fries for your family. Baked to a crispy outer coating that’s perfectly seasoned, these small fries are delicious!

Baked Parmesan Fries

Here's a delicious way to make Baked Parmesan Fries for your family. Baked to a crispy outer coating that's perfectly seasoned, these small fries are the perfect fit for hamburgers or Sloppy Joes. Baked, not fried, so they are more healthy, and delicious!

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I first made Molasses Rye Bread after my husband and I ate at Outback Steakhouse where they served us the most wonderful dark “Bushman” bread and also my first Bloomin’ Onion! I loved it and knew I had to try making my own. Sweet, dark, and rich. And the perfect companion to a steak dinner.

Molasses Rye Bread

Here's a hearty bread to serve with steaks, salads, or soups. Sweet, dark, and rich. Yum.

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This Easy Fudge Cake with Ganache Icing is the best chocolate cake I’ve tasted and very easy to make. It’s loaded with fudgy chocolate, using a chocolate cake mix and instant chocolate pudding mix, as well as miniature chocolate chips and a silky Ganache icing.

Easy Fudge Cake with Ganache Icing

This cake is the best chocolate cake I've tasted in years and very easy to make. Try it. I'm sure you'll be delighted!

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#4 – Perhaps you Prefer Seafood

My husband and I do not go out to eat very often, but when we do, one of our favorite restaurants is Red Lobster. And in January, their specialty is Lobster. Yum! But if lobster isn’t on the menu, shrimp is right next in line. My husband and I both agree that it’s hard to beat a shrimp dinner. It’s one of our favorite specialty meals!

Wine Suggestion: For this Shrimp Scampi dinner, you’ll want to go for a dry, crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or a sparkling prosecco such as Nino Franco Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore. 

Make Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi when you’re craving shrimp–which I do often! This dish is so quick and easy, it makes a great weeknight dinner. And it’s delicious–so much better than the overly salty scampi you might order at a restaurant.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi

Try this easy recipe when you're craving shrimp--which I do often! This is wonderful served with Sourdough Baguettes to soak up the delicious garlic butter. Enjoy!

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Spinach Salad with Vinegar Dressing is a nice choice to serve with a shrimp dinner. I love the dressing. It has just the right amount sweetness and seasoning. And it goes perfectly with the spinach salad and toppings.

Spinach Salad with Vinegar Dressing

Here's a delicious recipe I received from my Aunt Ruth. I love this vinegar dressing. Try it this weekend!

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This Fettuccine with Truffle Sauce and Asparagus is a perfect side dish for shrimp or steak. The truffle sauce is basically an Alfredo Sauce flavored with luxurious black summer truffles, which is so decadent and yummy.

Fettuccine with Truffle Sauce and Asparagus

This Fettuccine with Truffle Sauce and Asparagus is a perfect second course (Primi) for a traditional Italian meal. Or served as a side dish with boiled shrimp or steak. So yummy! 

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For bread, my husband and I love Cheesy Garlic Biscuits with seafood. This recipe is similar to the biscuits served at Red Lobster.

Cheesy Garlic Biscuits

Here's a recipe similar to the biscuits served at Red Lobster. Easy and delicious! Goes great with my Shrimp Scampi recipe.

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Valentine Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries is one of my favorite desserts to make in February. Formed with Belgian dark chocolate, the heart mold is a chocolate-lover’s dream. Dip fresh strawberries (or your finger) into the delicious chocolate mousse and you’ll be licking your lips all night!

Valentine Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries

Here's a recipe I like to make for Valentine's Day. It might sound difficult to prepare, but it is surprisingly simple, and very good.

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#5 – An Elegant Tuna Dinner for Two

While I could have stopped with the Shrimp dinner, I just had to include this easy tuna recipe as a fifth romantic dinner option.

Wine Suggestion: For this tuna dish, I recommend a light red wine such as a light burgundy or Pinot Noir such as Baileyana Firepeak Pinot Noir. 

Tuna with Parsley and Capers is a delicious and easy way to prepare tuna steaks. The parsley, caper, and lemon sauce enhances the flavor of the tuna remarkably well and gives this simple dish stunning appeal that you would expect from fine dining.

Tuna with Parsley and Capers

Here's a delicious and easy way to cook tuna. The Parsley, Caper, and Lemon Sauce remarkably enhances the flavor of the tuna. I give this one 5 stars!

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Herbed Brown Rice is the perfect side dish to go with tuna steaks. It’s quick and easy and quite yummy. Serve this along with a side dish of steamed baby peas for a very easy dinner.

Herbed Brown Rice

Serve Herbed Brown Rice in place of potatoes. Flavored with chicken bouillon, butter, and Herbs de Province, this rice is a perfect side dish with your favorite pork, chicken, or seafood recipes. 

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Tangy Sourdough Bread is a great bread choice for many meals, including this Tuna Steak Dinner. It has a wonderful tangy flavor, with a beautiful deep golden brown crust that is crunchy, while the inside is pleasingly soft and chewy.

Tangy Sourdough Bread

Here's a sourdough recipe we adore and make every week. This bread is delicious with butter, makes wonderful Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, or use it to make your own Sourdough Croutons.

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This Chocolate Fudge Truffle Cheesecake is a chocolate-lover’s dream dessert and the perfect ending to a light meal. It reminds me of a wonderful chocolate truffle candy. So yummy!

Chocolate Fudge Truffle Cheesecake

This Chocolate Fudge Truffle Cheesecake is a chocolate-lover's dream dessert. It is a new take on my Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake recipe--made even better, and more chocolaty! More Fudgy! It reminds me of a wonderful chocolate candy truffle. So yummy! 

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Whatever you decide for your Romantic Valentine Dinner, I hope it’s one you’ll cherish forever. May you have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

See more Entertaining Ideas Here.  Browse my Favorite Valentine Chocolate Desserts Here. 

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