Romance on the menu

Your Stress-Free Valentine’s Day Meal Timeline & Recipes

food for thought

make the day before if possible

To make your romantic meal prep a breeze, some dishes can be prepared in advance. If you’re making the Coq au Vin, I highly recommend prepping the salad dressing and cookie dough the day before. The coq au vin itself requires some attention, but I find its a fun dish to cook with a partner.

Many of these recipes involve a large quantity of chopped vegetables, so preparing them ahead of time, or even buying pre-chopped vegetables, will significantly reduce your prep time of day of.

This guide will walk you through preparing a romantic meal without the stress. The most important thing is to have fun! Cooking shouldn’t be daunting. Take your time and enjoy the process, having some wine doesn’t hurt either. Let’s get started!

so, Whats for dinner?

Dinner will begin with a fresh salad. For the main course, you have two tempting options. The first is Coq au Vin, a classic French dish perfect for a cozy winter evening. Our vegetarian option is a polenta cake topped with brussel sprouts and leeks, served with a vibrant romesco sauce. This beautiful sauce, made with red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and paprika, offers a smoky, tangy counterpoint to the creamy polenta. Vegan? No problem! Simply substitute your favorite vegan alternatives. Finally, for dessert, we’ll have a decadent mini skillet cookie (don’t forget the chocolate syrup!).

your valentines day timeline

the day before

To make your cooking day a breeze, tackle these tasks the day before.

Salad Dressing: Prepare the dressing and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld and develop overnight.

Cookie Dough: Make the cookie dough, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight.

Polenta Cake: Prepare the polenta and shape it in your baking pan. Refrigerate it overnight. You can do this the day of as well it only needs 2 hours.

Coq au Vin Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and let them rest uncovered in the refrigerator overnight. This crucial step helps dry out the skin, promoting crispier skin when you sear and bake the chicken.

Coq au Vin, pick a side: The recipe below does not come with a side. I recommend the classic pairing of mashed potatoes. Rice, quinoa and couscous also work here.

Chop Vegetables: Chop all the vegetables needed for both the Coq au Vin and the Polenta cake. Prepping all your vegetables in advance significantly reduces your cooking time on the day of. You can also purchase pre-chopped vegetables to save even more time

Valentine’s day – schedule

This hourly timeline works backward from your planned dinner time and is designed to guide you in pacing your meal preparation.

4 hours before

Once these tasks are complete, you’ll be well-prepared to execute the dishes closer to mealtime.

Polenta (Vegetarian Option): Prepare the polenta, if applicable. It needs to rest in the refrigerator for at least two hours, so starting this now is key.

Vegetable Prep: While the polenta cooks and rests, prepare all the chopped vegetables needed for both dishes. This is a good time to get all your chopping done. Feel free to use pre-chopped vegetables to save time.

Cookie Prep: Make cookie dough. Put dough in the mini skillet you’ll bake it in. Cover in plastic wrap. Set in fridge until ready to cook.

2 hours before

Let’s Cook! Now is the time to execute on your full meal. Rinse your leafy greens and berries, and execute your mains. Note, the coq au vin takes about 1 hour to complete and about 30 minutes for the polenta cakes. If you’re making the coq au vin, don’t forget about your side!

ready for dessert?

The skillet cookie takes 18-23 minutes to cook. When you’re ready to dive into dessert, pop it in the oven. Grab two spoons and enjoy eating the ooey gooey cookie.

Recipes for your feast

the Salad: watermelon salad

A refreshing Watermelon Berry Salad, featuring juicy watermelon and a medley of seasonal berries, is elevated by a vibrant raspberry dressing. For a convenient alternative, a tangy balsamic vinaigrette complements the sweet fruit beautifully.

Get the Recipe: Watermelon Berry Salad

the main (non veg): Coq Au vin

Coq au vin, a classic French chicken braise, is a delicious and relatively easy dish perfect for a special occasion like Valentine’s Day. This recipe features chicken cooked in white wine, with mushrooms, bacon (lardons), and onions. Learn how to make Coq au vin at home with our simple instructions. Find the best Coq au vin recipe, including variations and tips for achieving tender chicken and a rich, flavorful sauce. Serve your Coq au vin with mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a complete meal.
Note the recipe below feeds 4+ people, reduce to accommodate your needs.

Get the recipe: Coq Au Vin

the main (V): polenta cakes

Golden, savory polenta cakes! Their texture both creamy and crispy, forming a comforting base for a vibrant and unexpected slaw. The polenta, infused with Parmesan and a touch of butter, offers a rich, grounding flavor. But the real star is the bright and tangy brussel sprout and leek slaw. Thinly shaved brussel sprouts and tender leeks mingle with fragrant garlic, all tossed in lemon juice, perfectly balances the richness of the polenta. Finally, the romesco sauce adds a smoky, nutty blend of roasted red peppers, pistachios, and garlic. It introduces a layer of complex flavor. It’s a delightful dance of textures and flavors, a surprising and delicious way to celebrate a special occasion.

Get the recipe: Polenta Cakes with warm brussel sprout slaw

something sweet: skillet cookie

This is a quick little recipe I developed specifically for this Valentine’s day dinner. You can find the ingredients and the instructions here

gather

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup packed, light brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoon of room temperature, soft butter
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips + 2 tablespoons (any work here)

follow

1. Preheat your oven to 350F.
2. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl and mix well with a whisk until well combined; set aside.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Add the melted butter and stir with a fork until well combined. Add the egg yolk, stir well, and then carefully stir in the flour mixture. Mix until completely combined, then stir about 2/3 of the chocolate chips.
4. Place cookie dough to the cast iron skillet. Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are puffed and browned and the center appears set.
5. Remove from the oven and press a few additional chocolate chips across the surface of the cookie, if desired; allow to cool for about 5 minutes.

What to drink:

I don’t do much cocktail creation. For this menu, I believe a nice white wine, bubbly, or light beer will do.