I wanted to put together a relaxing dinner menu for Valentine’s Day this year. I wanted it to be special but not something I was going to have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing. I also wanted it to be a bit lighter this year as we have vowed to make healthier choices in 2022. BUT (and this is a big but) I didn’t want anyone to feel deprived or have it feel like just another meal.
I kept it simple and delicious with an upscale starter salad with blue cheese and bacon but added fresh clementines to lighten it up. I used fresh orange juice and orange olive oil in the vinaigrette to tie it all together. It is my riff on a wedge salad only I used Iceberg “steaks” and put my orange “twist” on the recipe! It is really good.
I went with a favorite around here: pasta. We both love shrimp so I made a really tasty and pretty fabulous looking Tagliatelle, Shrimp, Lemon, Capers and Herbs main course. I scattered some fresh basil leaves on top and a few Pignolias (pine nuts) for crunch. Light but filling and perfect after the salad starter.
For dessert, I did something a little different this year. I usually lean towards chocolate on this holiday (doesn’t everyone?) but this year I made a Raspberry & Pistachio Semifreddo. I have lighted that recipe up too and no one will even know. I swapped out fat free Greek yogurt for the usual sour cream in the recipe and swapped out the sugar for Swerve Confectioner’s substitute. A little here and a little there can really add up over a course of a meal, a month or a year. Since we are in this together, I made the swaps without a lot of drama. My gift was not telling anyone!!! LOL You can make this days in advance and just unfold it and top it with some fresh berries and mint leaves for the perfect “Tah Dah” moment.
And there you have it…this year’s easy and delicious Valentine’s Day Dinner menu for two. Enjoy.
