9 Romantic Valentine’s Dinner Ideas for Two. Seafood, Gluten-Free, Vegan

Valentine’s Day is a holiday for lovers and a great excuse for a romantic dinner for two. And you can host one at home, surprising your loved one with seafood dishes, delicious gluten-free or vegan treats. Here are detailed recipes for Valentine’s Dinner Ideas to help you have an unforgettable evening.

How to Set the Perfect Table for a Cozy Valentine’s Dinner

Let’s create the necessary romantic atmosphere of dinner, for which you don’t have to arrange something complicated at all, just a few simple details will help to create an unforgettable mood.

1. Accent the tableware

The basis of the table will be white or pastel plates, which create a clean and elegant background. For an accent, use bright elements such as pink or red napkins, placemats or a small tablecloth along the table. If you don’t have a special tablecloth, any piece of beautiful fabric will do, or perhaps a scarf with an interesting pattern.

2. Candles and flowers are a must

You can’t do without candles on such an evening. They will create a soft and romantic light. It is desirable to use candles of different sizes: a tall candlestick in the center of the table and small tea candles around. If you are worried about safety, choose LED candles, they too create cozy lighting.

3. A small bouquet of roses or seasonal flowers will really brighten up the table. If fresh flowers are not available, add green twigs, dried lavender or even a small potted plant.

4. Personalize the decorations

Write some romantic notes for your partner and put them on the plates. By the way, you can use your shared photos. A small frame or a photo tied to a ribbon on a napkin will look very cute.

5. Music

Play soft romantic music to set the mood. Choose a playlist with soft tunes that create a pleasant background but don’t distract from the conversation.

3 Simple and Elegant Seafood Dinners for Valentine’s Day

I am sure your partner will really enjoy these dishes.

1. Fried scallops with lemon butter

Ingredients:

• Scallops – 10-12 pieces
• Butter – 2 tbsp. tbsp.
• Garlic (chopped) – 2 cloves
• Lemon – 1 piece (juice and zest)
• White wine – 1/4 cup
• Fresh parsley – 1 tbsp.
• Salt – to taste
• Pepper – to taste

Preparation:

1. Heat a skillet, melt butter and add garlic.
2. Fry the scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side.
3. Add the white wine and lemon juice to the skillet and stir. Pour the sauce over the scallops and sprinkle with parsley.

Serve with lemon risotto or a light green salad.

2. Herb-crusted salmon

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillet – 2 pcs.
• Powdered breadcrumbs – 1/3 cup
• Dill (finely chopped) – 1 tbsp.
• Parsley (finely chopped) – 1 tbsp.
• Olive oil – 2 tbsp.
• Lemon zest – 1 tsp.
• Dijon mustard – 1 tbsp.

Preparation:

1. Mix breadcrumbs, herbs, lemon zest and a little oil.
2. Spread the salmon with mustard and cover with the breadcrumb mixture.
3. Bake at 375°F.(190°C) for 12 to 15 minutes.

Serve with mashed sweet potatoes or braised asparagus.

3. Linguini with shrimp

Ingredients:

• Shrimp – 450 g
• Linguini – 225 g
• Garlic (chopped) – 3 cloves
• Butter – 3 tbsp.
• Olive oil – 2 tbsp.
• Lemon – 1 pc.
• Parmesan – 1/4 cup
• Parsley – 2 tbsp.

Preparation:

1. Boil the linguini until al dente.
2. Fry shrimp and garlic in butter and olive oil.
3. Add the pasta, lemon juice and parmesan.

Serve with crusty garlic bread.

3 Gluten-Free Valentine’s Dinner Ideas for Two

1. Chicken in balsamic sauce with roasted vegetables

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts – 2 pcs.
• Balsamic vinegar – 1/4 cup
• Honey – 2 tbsp.
• Olive oil – 2 tbsp.
• Garlic (chopped) – 2 cloves
• Carrots – 2 pcs.
• Zucchini – 1 pc.
• Bulgarian pepper – 2 pcs.

Preparation:

1. Marinate the chicken breasts in a mixture of balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic and olive oil. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Arrange the chicken and chopped vegetables on a baking tray.
3. Bake in the oven at 392°F.(200°C) for 25-30 minutes.

You can serve with gluten-free quinoa or rice.

2. Zucchini spaghetti with pesto and grilled chicken

Ingredients:

• Zucchini – 2 pcs.
• Chicken breasts – 2 pcs.
• Pesto sauce – 1/4 cup (you can use store-bought or homemade)
• Parmesan – 1/4 cup

Preparation:

1. Spiralize the zucchini to make “spaghetti”. Lightly fry them in olive oil.
2. Cook the chicken on the grill and cut into strips.
3. Mix the zucchini spaghetti with the pesto sauce, top with the chicken and sprinkle with parmesan.

Serve with gluten-free garlic bread.

3. Stuffed bell peppers

Ingredients:

• Bell peppers – 4 pcs.
• Turkey or beef stuffing – 450 g
• Canned tomatoes (sliced) – 1 can (400 g)
• Onion (chopped) – 1 small bulb
• Garlic (chopped) – 2 cloves
• Rice (boiled) – 1 cup
• Mozzarella cheese – 1/2 cup (grated)

Preparation:

1. Clean the peppers from the seeds and core.
2. Mix minced meat with chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic and boiled rice. Fill the peppers with this mixture.
3. Bake at 374°F(190°C) for 30 minutes. Then sprinkle cheese on top and bake for another 5 minutes until melted.

This dish can be served with roasted green vegetables or a light coleslaw.

These dishes will fit in well with a warm and cozy dinner for two and will please gluten-free foodies.

3 Vegan Valentine’s Dinner for Two: Easy and Delicious Ideas

1. Vegan mushroom stroganoff

Ingredients:

• Mushrooms – 2 cups (sliced)
• Onions – 1 medium onion (sliced)
• Garlic – 2 cloves (chopped)
• Cashew cream – 1/2 cup
• Vegetable broth – 1/2 cup
• Soy sauce – 2 tbsp.
• Pasta – 250 g (vegan)

Preparation:

1. Fry the mushrooms, onion and garlic in a pan until golden.
2. Add the vegetable stock, soy sauce and cashew cream, stir and stew until the sauce thickens.

Serve the stroganoff with boiled pasta and a fresh salad with vinaigrette dressing

2. Tacos with yams and black beans

Ingredients:

• Batatas – 2 pcs. (peeled and diced)
• Black beans – 1 can (400 g, washed and drained)
• Taco seasoning – 2 tsp.
• Tortillas – 4 pieces (vegan)
• Avocado – 1 piece (sliced)
• Salsa – 1/2 cup

Preparation:

1. Arrange the yam cubes on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Bake at 392°F (200°C) for 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Reheat tortillas and fill with baked yams, beans, salsa, and avocado slices.

Serve with lime wedges and vegan sour cream.

3. Vegan “Shepherd’s Pie.”

Ingredients:

• Lentils – 1 cup (boiled).
• Carrots – 2 pieces (diced)
• Peas – 1 cup (frozen or fresh)
• Onion – 1 medium onion (chopped)
• Vegetable broth – 1/2 cup
• Mashed potatoes – 2 cups (without adding butter)

Preparation:

1. In a pan, fry onions and carrots, then add peas and lentils. Pour in the vegetable broth and stew until the liquid evaporates slightly.
2. Place the mixture in the baking dish and spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
3. Bake at 374°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden.

This dish can be served with steamed broccoli or string beans.

You see, these dishes are simple and nutritious and will help you create a memorable vegan Valentine’s Day dinner.

Bonus. Amazing Dessert You Didn’t Even Knew It Exists

Chocolate avocado mousse

This dessert is incredibly easy to make and amazes with its rich chocolate flavor and creamy texture. It will be a sweet finale to a romantic dinner and believe me, will definitely impress your other half.

• Ingredients (for 2 servings):
• Ripe avocado – 2 pcs.
• Cocoa powder – 1/4 cup
• Maple syrup – 1/4 cup (or more to taste)
• Vanilla extract – 1 tsp.
• Salt – a pinch

Preparation:

1. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and use a spoon to extract the pulp.
2. In a blender, combine the avocado pulp, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla and a pinch of salt.
3. Whip the mixture until you get a smooth, creamy texture. Taste and add a little more maple syrup for sweetness if needed.
4. Transfer the mousse into serving glasses or bowls.
5. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to give the dessert the perfect texture and flavor.

This mousse can be served with the following with fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries or blueberries are a great addition to the dessert) or with coconut cream, just add a scoop of cream on top. It will be beautiful! And delicious!

You can garnish with dark chocolate shavings or a mint leaf.

This dessert will definitely be able to surprise your partner. It contains healthy ingredients, yet it is very tasty and not inferior to the classic chocolate mousse.

This Valentine’s Day, love each other and enjoy some delicious food. Which of these ideas are your favorite and will you try making? Leave a comment and let me know how your dinner turns out, I’m all interested!