A Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner at Home? No problem!

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow! What are your plans? Headed to your favorite restaurant? Staying in? Why not make an easy dinner at home for your valentine? While it may sound complicated (and expensive) to make a meal that’s fancier than usual, we promise it isn’t!

Our DIY Valentine’s Day meal is quick and easy. Just pick up a few premade items at your local grocery store and dress them up for a special night.

To make your at-home Valentine’s Day meal memorable, start by planning ahead. Put a small table for two in your living room for a change of pace. Place a new linen on the table and light two candles (we recommend red) to set the mood. Set the table with cloth napkins, your best silverware, and dust off that china hiding in your cabinet. Add a wine or champagne glass and your table is ready! Want to go the extra mile? Write your menu on a card and place it on the plates. How simple is that?!

Here is your menu and grocery list, along with estimated cost:

Menu

Baby Greens Salad with Pears and Gorgonzola
Nancy’s Chicken Cordon Bleu Strudel
Chocolate Pudding with Raspberries and Cream

Grocery List

Hannaford Express Pear Gorgonzola Salad Kit             $2.99
Puff Pastry Sheets                                                                  $4.69
Premade Mashed Potatoes                                                   $3.99
4 Slices Swiss Cheese                                                             $2.99
4 Slices of Deli Ham                                                              $3.69
1 Jar Alfredo Sauce                                                               $3.99
1 Rotisserie Chicken                                                              $4.99
Prepared Chocolate Pudding                                               $.89
Whipped Topping                                                                 $1.89
Fresh Raspberries                                                                $2.00

Total estimated cost for this romantic meal:     $32.11

Entrée Preparations:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Remove 1 puff pastry sheet from the package and bring to room temperature.
3. Mound mashed potatoes down the middle of the pastry sheet.
4. Spoon some alfredo sauce over mashed potatoes.
5. Layer with slice of chicken, piece of cheese, slice of ham.
6. Fold over puff pastry sheet and seal down the middle and on the ends to avoid leaking.
7. Place strudel seam side down on a parchment lined sheet pan and brush an egg wash over the top.
8. Bake until brown on top, about 30 to 40 minutes.

While strudel is baking, prepare dessert:

1. Place pudding in a decorative glass for dessert and place in fridge until ready to serve.
2. When ready to serve, top with whipped topping and raspberries.

Finish entrée preparations:

1. Heat the remainder of the alfredo sauce.
2. Mix salad and toss with dressing.
3. Plate your dish, garnishing your strudel with the warmed alfredo sauce.

Want some more ideas to make your night special? Here are some more romantic tips and recipes:

• Homemade Truffles
• Romantic Wine and Cheese Pairings
• Chocolate Cocktails