Romance on a Budget: Restaurant Quality Valentine’s Day Dinner at Home

Hey ya’ll!

I hope 2021 is off to an amazing start for you! For me, it’s honestly been a slow start, but I’m ready to hit the ground running with new content for you all. Let’s start with my second favorite holiday- Valentine’s Day!

Whether you want to avoid long wait times and overpriced entrees or you’re opting for a COVID-safe date night, making dinner at home is definitely the way to go this year. (If you ask me, it’s the way to go every year). Nothing says “I love you” like a delicious home cooked meal made by someone you love!

Dinner at home does not have to be basic or boring. You can still get glammed up and have an awesome experience with your special someone this Valentine’s Day. I wanted to share with you all an easy idea for a three-course dinner you can make when you want a restaurant quality meal, but don’t want to pay the restaurant price. Not only will this recipe keep you bougie on a budget, but you’ll wow your valentine with your culinary expertise at the same time! Let’s get into it!

This should go without saying, but if on no other date, you have to have three courses on Valentine’s Day. It’s the day to spoil and be spoiled, am I right? Now this doesn’t mean you have to spend all day in the kitchen trying to become a MasterChef! Take a look at my sample Valentine’s Day menu that anyone can cook!

Appetizer

A simple salad and warm rolls is a great way to start a meal, especially one as indulgent as the one I’ve planned. Spruce up bagged salad mix by adding your favorite mix-ins, cheeses and dressing. For rolls, I couldn’t resist grabbing a bag of Cheesecake Factory “brown bread”! You can literally bring the restaurant home with this cult favorite appetizer. Pair with some high quality butter and you’re off to a good start!

Entrée

When you’re cooking a special dinner for your sweetheart, the last thing you want to do is try to reinvent the wheel. As much as alfredo is clowned on social media, it really is an absolute crowd pleaser! And my recipe takes the basic dish to a new level with a creamy homemade sauce and blackened protein. Trust me, it’s not ya mama’s alfredo- it’s better! You’ll need to subscribe for the full recipe, but here’s my signature blackening seasoning recipe that goes great with any protein:

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (you can use a full teaspoon if you’d like it spicier)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp oregano

This recipe is just enough for a meal for you and your honey, but it can definitely be multiplied to make a large batch of seasoning to keep in your spice cabinet!

Dessert

Of course a romantic evening would not be complete without a decadent chocolate dessert. I stumbled across this boxed Godiva molten cake mix at my local grocery store and I just KNEW it was going to change lives. If you really want to impress your valentine, spend the $6 on this mix. Don’t forget to grab some strawberries and ice cream too!

Dinner at home can be just as exciting and delicious as going out to eat, even on a holiday! In fact, cooking for your loved one is a great way to show just how much you care. If you’re opting for a homemade V-Day dinner this year, I’ve done half the work for you. Let me know if you’re stealing my at-home menu this year, or if you’ll be making something else!

Lovingly,