Cupid called and said you’re in need of some romance. Whether that means treating your S.O. or yourself to a swoon-worthy meal, food is a surefire way to bring on the love. In honor of Valentine’s Day, here are seven romantic dinners to cook all week long.
Here’s What to Cook Every Night This Week (February 8 – 14)
Shopping List
Produce
1 large eggplant
2 sweet onions
1 red onion
15 garlic cloves
2 oranges
4 ounces Swiss chard
20 ounces mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, oyster or mixed)
1 medium shallot
1 medium potato
4 lemons
2 heads endive
4 bunches parsley
2 bunches basil
2 bunches thyme
1 bunch chives
1 bunch rosemary
1 bunch dill
6 sprigs fresh oregano or marjoram
Meat
Four 6-ounce cod fillets
8 ounces thick-cut bacon
Three to four 8- to 10-ounce swordfish steaks
Four chicken or duck legs (about 2 pounds)
4 small or 2 large lobster tails
Dairy
2 ounces grated pecorino
1 pint whole milk
3 sticks unsalted butter
4 ounces grated Parmesan
2 ounces shredded white cheddar
8 ounces burrata
Grains
1 pound bite-size dry pasta, like rigatoni
10 ounces polenta
4 ounces arborio rice
Canned or Packaged Goods
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
16 ounces chicken broth
½ pound store-bought pizza dough
Store-bought pesto
14 ounces Castelvetrano olives
20 ounces seafood broth
Pantry Ingredients: extra-virgin olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, all-purpose flour, cayenne, everything bagel seasoning, white wine vinegar, allspice, coriander, whole-grain mustard
Monday: Pasta Alla Norma With Eggplant, Basil And Pecorino
This one-hour dinner hails from Catania, Italy, where it’s typically made with pressed, aged ricotta salata. But pecorino is a solid substitute that’s way easier to find.
Tuesday: Pan-fried Cod With Orange And Swiss Chard
Ten ingredients + 30 minutes = the quickest, most vibrant fish dinner you’ve ever cooked.
Wednesday: Polenta With Roasted Mushrooms And Bacon
Helloooo, comfort food. Pop the mushrooms in the oven while you’re preparing the polenta, so they’re roasted to crispy perfection just in time to eat.
Thursday: Potato And Burrata Pizza
Cheese? Check. Potatoes? Check. Premade pesto? Check. Easy store-bought pizza dough? But of course.
Friday: Alison Roman’s Swordfish With Crushed Olives And Oregano
Impressive, yet decidedly unfussy. Swordfish is also meaty and minimally fishy, meaning it’s great for converting those who swear they hate seafood.
Saturday: Foolproof Cheater’s Confit
A crisp combination of endive, herbs and lemon-mustard dressing will cut right through fatty, decadent duck legs.
Sunday: Lobster Risotto
Nothing says romance quite like a pair of lobster tails drenched in garlic butter. All that’s missing is a bottle of Chardonnay.