They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, and what better way to show your love than by preparing a homemade meal? This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday—like a lucky twist on Friday the 13th, but for romance! With the weekend ahead, you have the perfect opportunity to impress your date with a delicious, heartfelt dinner. Don’t worry—we’ve compiled a menu of easy but breathtaking food and drink recipes that are sure to make the evening special.
If you’re looking for a cute appetizer, a filling main course, or a darling dessert, here are some delectable DIY dishes that you can whip up for Valentine’s Day:
1. Appetizer: Salami Roses
@wildsaltstudio 🌹Make these salami rose & mozzarella skewers for the easiest, cutest Valentine’s day appetizer. Perfect to add to a cheese plate or enjoy on their own! ✨You’ll need: Sliced salami Mozzerella balls Fresh basil Bamboo skewers Overlap 3 slices of salami. Fold the row in half longways & roll tightly from one side to the other. Slide onto a skewer with mozzarella and basil to mimic the leaves. Enjoy!🥂 #salamirose #charcuterie #cheeseboard #foodstyling #snacks #valentinesday #galentinesday ♬ love on the brain sped up – xxtristanxo
Pair your bouquet with these impressive-looking salami roses. This appetizer is as easy as it can get—you don’t even have to cook anything! Get your cold cuts, then fold and roll them in a way that makes them look like a rose. Slide in some fresh basil and cheese with a skewer and you’ve got a simple but eye-catching starter to kick off your date.
Credit: WildSalt Studio on TikTok
2. Main Course: Marry Me Chicken
This dish is simple to make yet packed with flavor, making it the perfect Valentine’s dinner choice. Juicy, tender chicken is cooked in a creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs, creating a rich and savory dish. Since everything is made in one pan, cleanup is a breeze. Serve it over pasta, rice, or potatoes for a satisfying meal. Legend has it that the dish got its name when someone tasted it and exclaimed, “I could marry you!” Whether you’re proposing or just sharing a special meal, this recipe is sure to impress.
Credit: Chef Jack Ovens on YouTube
3. Dessert: Strawberry Tiramisu
@michellek23_ STRAWBERRY TIRAMISU 🍓❤️ THIS IS THE dessert to make on Valentine’s Day!! If you loved my viral eggless tiramisu recipe you are going to LOVE this too! This is also an eggless recipe strawberry sauce * 3 cups fresh strawberries * 3 tbsp strawberry jam * 2 tbsp lemon juice * 1 tbsp sugar * 3 tbsp water Mascarpone filling: * 3/4 cup mascarpone cheese * 2 tbsp – 1/4 cup powdered sugar * 1 tsp vanilla bean paste * 2 cups heavy cream Lady fingers 24 ladyfingers Extras – 1 cup freeze dried strawberries (for dusting) – Fresh sliced strawberries for topping Assembly * In a food processor, blend the freeze dried strawberries until they are powder. Set aside * Dip the ladyfingers into the strawberry syrup! Front and back and place them on the bottom of a dish. * Add a layer of the cheese cream. * Sprinkle the freeze dried strawberry powder to cover the cream. * Optional to addd a layer of sliced fresh strawberries, and repeat! * Finally top with a layer of the freeze dried strawberry powder and top with more fresh strawberries * Let it sit and refrigerate overnight! * Slice and serve:) #strawberrydessert #strawberrytiramisu🍓 #strawberrycake #valentinesdessert ♬ original sound – georgeclarkeywife ☺️
A tiramisu is already quite easy to make, as it’s mostly just layering soaked lady fingers and mascarpone cream on top of one another. To make the standard tiramisu into an awe-inspiring Valentine’s-ready dessert, instead of coffee, make a tangy and tasty strawberry sauce to soak your lady fingers in. Then, add in a layer of cut strawberries in the center before covering the top with powdered freeze dried strawberries and finish with more fresh strawberries.
Credit: Michelle Kim on TikTok
4. Pastry: Raspberry Palmiers
@crowdedkitchen Raspberry Palmiers 💖 Just 3 ingredients, so easy to make and the perfect heart-shaped cookie for Valentine’s Day! Full recipe is on our website (link in bio) or BOOKMARK the recipe below 👇 RASPBERRY PALMIERS (makes 2 dozen) 14 oz puff pastry, thawed 1/2 oz freeze dried raspberries (linked on our amazon page) 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided Optional: 2 oz white chocolate + more freeze dried raspberries for garnish Add the raspberries to a food processor and pulse into a fine powder. Add ⅔ of the sugar to a bowl, then sift the raspberry powder into the sugar and discard the seeds. Whisk until well combined. Place puff pastry on a clean surface, then sprinkle with remaining ⅓ cup of (plain) sugar. Lightly roll out the rectangle with a rolling pin. Flip over the puff pastry, then sprinkle liberally with raspberry sugar. (NOTE: you may have sugar leftover. Just use enough to fully coat the puff pastry in an even layer.) Press it in with your hands, then use a rolling pin to roll it out. Most store bought puff pastry will be about 10×11 inches, but ours was a bit bigger, so we rolled it to about 13×14 inches. Fold the longer section of your puff pastry in half to mark the middle point. Then fold each end a little less than halfway to the middle and sprinkle with more raspberry sugar. Make another fold, folding each end towards the middle. Sprinkle on a little more regular sugar. Fold again so the two sides meet and press down gently with a rolling pin. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Remove from freezer and cut into ½-inch thick slices. Space about 2 inches apart on parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes, then flip with a spatula and cook for another 4-5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Let cool, then dip in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed freeze dried raspberries. #valentinesday #palmier #raspberry #whitechocolate ♬ original sound – Crowded Kitchen
Palmiers are naturally heart-shaped, making them the perfect pastry for Valentine’s Day. Enhance the holiday theme by incorporating raspberry for its vibrant color and tart taste. With just three ingredients—puff pastry, freeze-dried raspberries, and sugar—you can create a light, crispy treat that pairs beautifully with a homemade chocolate dipping sauce.
Credit: Crowded Kitchen on TikTok
5. Drink: Rose Vodka
@chefshanef Happy Valentine’s Day!! #cocktail #cocktails #valentinesday #howto #recipe #pink #rose #fyp #foryou ♬ so this is love – soft girl aesthetic
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like roses. This cocktail is a rose-flavored vodka-based cocktail that is a sweet and refreshing way to end the night. Mix together vodka, rose syrup, rose water, lemon, and sparkling water to create this lovely Valentine’s-themed drink. Garnish the cocktail with edible rose buds or rose petals and pomegranate seeds for added crunch and tartness.
Credit: ChefShaneF on TikTok
Show your love by working your magic in the kitchen to create the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner. We’re sure that your date will feel extremely special when you serve these easy-to-make but enchanting delights!