Love on a Plate: 14 Recipe Ideas to Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day!
There are 1001 ways to say ‘I love you,’ but nothing beats a homemade meal!
Love is in the air, and in our case, it mostly smells like fresh pasta and Italian spices. If you’re looking for some ideas to heat up your kitchen this Valentine’s Day, you’ve come to the right place! Whether it’s for your better half, a loved one, or just yourself, we’ve got a few recipe ideas for a fuss-free feast. Get ready to fall in love… with Italian cuisine, of course!
No, minestra maritata isn’t just for weddings, though it was first served during such occasions in Pittsburgh, it’s now known all over. The green vegetables and meat “si sposano bene”, meaning that they go really well together. Make it on any occasion, big or small. Even if this soup won’t guarantee a happily ever after, there are still plenty of things to love about it!
Ricotta gnocchi with tomato sauce
This version, created by my partner and friend Michele Forgione, calls for ricotta instead of potatoes, and it’s easier to master than the classic recipe. It’s a cult dish at our restaurant, Impasto, and one of the only ones that’s been on the menu since the very beginning.
Linguine fra diavolo with shrimp
An easy pasta recipe for seafood lovers. The arrabbiata sauce adds that much-appreciated touch of spice and goes perfectly with the briny shrimp. Replace them with the seafood or shellfish of your choice.
Spaghetti marinara with mussels
Can you see yourself on the seaside with a chilled glass of white or rosé wine while eating this meal? You’re not alone. Marinara or “mariner style” is a typical sauce of Italian coastal towns. It’s an unpretentious meal that is mainly found in seaside trattorias. Talk about traveling with a dish!
Creamy salmon with fresh herbs
Everything is better with Alfredo sauce, isn’t it? Here, to accompany the salmon, I made a creamy sauce that’s not too heavy thanks to the sweet and crunchy peas, then add some smoked salmon and shallots. The trick is to sear the salmon pieces well so that they are crispy on the outside and pink on the inside.
Traditionally, Hunter’s Chicken was cooked with partridge, pheasant or quail. Simmered slowly for hours, it comforts and warms you up, in every sense of the word.
This steak is meant to be shared! Tagliata comes from the verb tagliare, which means “to cut” in Italian. I serve these melt-in-your-mouth strips with arugula, shaved Parmesan, a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a touch of balsamic vinegar, and a few cipollini agrodolce for even more pizzazz. Share the steak, share the love!
My Zia Carmela’s signature recipe reserved only for special occasions! This fall-off-the-bone ossobuco is packed with winter flavours. Its long braising time gives you plenty of time to warm up, get ready, and everything else you need to do before guests arrive. Speaking of guests, they’ll definitely be craving more!
A culinary round trip to Morocco filled with flavours and spices awaits. This is a dish to impress, without complicating your life. For the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Moroccan cuisine.
Who doesn’t love molten chocolate cake? Don’t let this recipe intimidate you! Serve with ice cream and roasted hazelnuts.
Who knew five ingredients could do so much with so little? Prepare these truffles ahead of time and freeze them until you’re ready to impress your guests or give them as a gift. Get your kids involved, they’re that easy to make. Proof that less truly is more.
Hazelnut chocolate raspberry roulade
Need some inspiration for a Valentine’s Day or birthday dessert? I love making this cake and it always impresses! Topped with a mixture of mascarpone cheese, hazelnut cocoa spread, and raspberry jam, it’s light and fluffy — with rarely any leftovers.
This world-famous Italian dessert comes from the Veneto region. Made with rich and creamy mascarpone cheese, eggs, and a moist coffee-soaked Italian sponge cake. It’s important to let it rest for 12 to 24 hours in the fridge, so it’s perfect if you want to prepare it in advance. Just one bite of this decadent dessert is all it takes to fly you to Italy, without the jet lag!
Translates to “ladies’ kisses,” these cookies are from the town of Tortona in Piedmont, where hazelnuts are abundant. As if the roasted hazelnuts weren’t enough, we’re filling them with our rich hazelnut cocoa spread. Get ready for crunchy and melt-in-your-mouth textures. Get also ready to have more than just one.
