Sweet Valentine's Day Menu

Valentine’s Day this year will be different. Most likely it will be a low-key meal celebrated at home .

Here are some ideas to make this day special for your sweetheart and add a sparkle of romance.

The best part about this menu is you can use store-bought ingredients and add your special touch to make a meal that’s sure to impress your significant other.

Appetizers

With store-bought frozen puff pastry, you can create cute heart-shaped bites with any filling that you both love.

Defrost the puff pastry overnight in the refrigerator, roll out or unfold the pastry. With a heart-shaped cookie cutter, make as many pieces as you can (you can make extra hearts for dessert – see below recipe)
Preheat oven to 425F (220C)
Put the filling in one of the hearts, wet the edges with water, put another heart on top and seal by pressing the edges together.
Filling ideas: mixed grated cheeses, sausage meat, brie and cranberry, spinach and feta etc.
Beat 1 egg in a small bowl, with a pastry brush, glaze each heart with the egg wash. Sprinkle some sesame or poppy seeds on top (I like to use Trader Joe’s Everything but Bagel seasoning). Place the hearts on a baking sheet lined with baking paper, at least 1 inch apart.
Bake till golden and puffy. The baking time depends on the size of the hearts and your oven, usually around 15 to 20 minutes, but do keep an eye during baking to prevent burning.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Not only these heart-shaped bites are cute, they’re delicious and perfect with a glass of wine.

Entree

This is a perfect dish that practically makes itself.

All you need is flatbread, pita bread, lavash or tortilla bread and your favorite toppings.

Preheat the oven at 425F (220C).

Toppings ideas: parma ham, salami, smoked salmon, artichokes, caramelized onions, mozzarella, burrata, olives, thin lemon slices, roasted garlic or sun dried tomatoes…
Drizzle a little olive oil on top
Bake for around 15-20 minutes. If you wish, drizzle a little balsamic vinegar on top, and sprinkle with crushed chili, arugula or fresh basil.

Desserts

Fruit Puffs

Follow the same steps as for the above Appetizers, but for filling, use fresh berries (like here), or cherry pie filling.

After baking, allow to cool. Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.

Add a heart-shaped decoration or cup cake topper for a romantic touch…

Heart shaped jellies

This can be made the day before! Use strawberry or cherry flavored jello to make heart-shaped jellies with silicone molds, or make a sheet of jelly and use heart shaped cookie cutter to make little hearts.

Cherry cheese cake

If you feel particularly lazy, get a store-bought cheesecake, and cut bite sized portions, add a dollop of cherry pie filling and voila!

Heart-shaped fruits

The healthier option is to go with fruits… Just display them in a heart shape. They’re fun to eat or to feed each other and oh so perfect to be enjoyed with a flute of champagne!

Add some heart-shaped decoration or cup cake toppers for an extra Valentine mood.

Valentine’s bare essentials

If you don’t feel like cooking or baking, here are the bare essentials to win your lover’s heart. Use store-bought cheesecake, cut into individual size and decorate with berries. Add a few chocolate dipped strawberries and serve with a flute of champagne.

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