Chocolates, flowers, and cards are wonderful ways to show your love for that special someone on Valentine’s Day. However, if you truly want to impress, nothing does it better than a home-cooked meal. With the right mix of fresh produce, fruits, meats, and maybe even a little bit of an aphrodisiac, you can set the tone for a romantic evening together. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
1. Potato, Kale, and Mushroom Canneloni
Canneloni always hits the mark in terms of taste, but you don’t have to load it with meat for it to knock the socks off your date. A mishmash of potato, butter beans, kale, and mushrooms stuffed within the canneloni is sure to impress.
Sautee the kale and mushrooms in a pan with butter and white wine, making sure not to overcook them. Then, boil the potato and mash them into an even consistency. Purchase some lasagna sheets and boil them as well. Finally, mix all your vegetables together and stuff the pasta. Roll it up, add the juices from the veggies, and you’re sitting pretty.
2. Vegetable Bolognese
Any type of bolognese is always a winner for a Valentine’s Day dinner idea, but you don’t want to fall asleep right after due to large amounts of meat. Instead, opt for a vegetable equivalent that will put a little pep in your step for after-meal fun.
The good news is that this dish is extraordinarily versatile. You can use whatever vegetables and pasta you want. However, you may want to consider mushrooms, bell peppers, onion, and garlic to give it a bit of extra cover and flavor.
Simply cook the pasta and sautee all the vegetables except for the mushrooms. Then, create the bolognese sauce with a mix of water, tomato paste, and mushrooms with a bit or red wine. Simmer, add a bit of cream, and serve over the pasta.
3. Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
Another versatile dish is stuffed mushrooms. They’re easy to prepare, even if you’re not exactly a master chef. Plus, you can go with smaller baby portobellos or full-size ones depending on whether you want to make more than one dish.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Next, remove the stems from the mushrooms to create a bowl-like shroom. You can either discard these stems or add them to the pesto mix.
Once you have the mushrooms ready, prepare the stuffing by combining the mushroom stems, pesto, garlic, and breadcrumbs in a food processor or mix them together in a bowl. Scoop equal potions of the mixture into your mushroom caps, and you’re ready for a treat!
Give a Little Love to Your Local Grocer
This Valentine’s Day remembers to give a little love and shop local. Remember, there’s nothing like fresh produce from a local grocery store to brighten up your romantic dinner table. From nutrition, to taste and fresh scents that fill your home with a cozy feel, at DLJ Produce, we are reminding you to spot our label at your local grocer and enjoy every bite of our fresh fruits and vegetables.
