Valentine’s Day, Done Simply: 3 Easy Ideas That Feel Special

Three easy Valentine’s Day recipes for a cozy, feel-good night in.

🍝 Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta (Date-Night Classic)

Ingredients (serves 2)

• Pasta (linguine or spaghetti) – 200 g

• Olive oil – 20 ml

• Garlic, thinly sliced – 12 g (about 3 cloves)

• Heavy cream – 150 ml

• Lemon zest – 1 lemon (about 5 g zest)

• Lemon juice – 15 ml

• Parmesan cheese, finely grated – 40 g

• Sea salt – 4 g

• Black pepper – 2 g

• Fresh parsley or basil (optional) – 5 g

Instructions

1. Cook pasta in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve 60 ml pasta water.

2. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and gently cook for 30–60 seconds (don’t brown).

3. Lower heat, add cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer 2–3 minutes.

4. Add drained pasta, parmesan, and a splash of pasta water. Toss until glossy.

5. Finish with herbs and extra black pepper. Serve immediately.

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🥩 Steak for Two with Crispy Potatoes & Buttered Greens

Ingredients (serves 2)

Steak

• Ribeye or sirloin steaks – 2 × 200 g

• Olive oil – 15 ml

• Sea salt – 6 g

• Black pepper – 3 g

• Butter – 30 g

• Garlic, crushed – 10 g

• Fresh thyme or rosemary – 5 g

Potatoes

• Baby potatoes, halved – 400 g

• Olive oil – 20 ml

• Sea salt – 5 g

• Black pepper – 2 g

• Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional) – 5 g

• Butter (optional) – 10 g

Greens

• Green beans or broccolini – 200 g

• Olive oil or butter – 10 g

• Sea salt – 2 g

Instructions

1. Start the potatoes

   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook for 8–10 minutes until just fork-tender. Drain and let steam dry.

2. Crisp the potatoes

   Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add potatoes cut-side down. Cook 6–8 minutes until golden and crispy. Season with salt, pepper, herbs, and butter if using. Remove from pan and set aside.

3. Cook the steaks

   Pat steaks dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat the same pan until hot, add olive oil, then steaks. Cook 2–3 minutes per side for medium-rare.

4. Baste

   Add butter, garlic, and herbs to the pan. Spoon the melted butter over steaks for 30 seconds. Remove steaks and rest 5 minutes.

5. Finish the greens

   In the same pan, add greens with a splash of oil or butter. Sauté 2–3 minutes until tender and bright. Season lightly.

6. Serve

   Slice steaks and serve with crispy potatoes, buttered greens, and any pan juices.

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🍓 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries (No-Bake Dessert)

Ingredients (serves 2–4)

• Fresh strawberries – 300 g

• Dark chocolate (70%+) – 120 g

• Coconut oil (optional, for shine) – 5 g

Instructions

1. Wash strawberries and dry completely.

2. Melt chocolate gently (microwave or double boiler).

3. Stir in coconut oil if using.

4. Dip strawberries halfway, letting excess drip off.

5. Place on parchment paper and chill 15–20 minutes until set.

Optional: sprinkle with flaky salt or crushed pistachios.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be overthought. Good ingredients, simple food, and being present usually does the trick.

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