A Cheap Valentine’s Day Menu
Valentine’s can sure get expensive! Between the flowers, chocolates and a meal out, it can really burn a hole in your wallet. It is a real shame that more people are not cooking at home because a cheap Valentine’s Day menu, one that is just as good as any restaurant (other than the fact that you have to cook it), is really achievable at home. By doing it at home, not only will your wallet be fuller, the loves of your life will appreciate it more. And, as I said already, a delicious meal that is inexpensive and impressive is totally easy to do, even on a weeknight. If you don’t want to tackle it all in one go, no worries. All the dishes in this cheap Valentine’s Day menu, except the main, can and should be made ahead. And the main, beef and red wine risotto, can be made in less then 30 minutes. Plus, there is a bonus recipe with this cheap Valentine’s Day menu if you want to skip the flowers and save even more money. Yep, you read right. Skip the flowers and bake some apple roses instead!
A Cheap Valentine’s Day Menu Starter: Muhamarra – Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip
Muhamarra is a perfect start to a romantic dinner. This delicious roasted red pepper dish will bring a little spice to the meal and may, on its own, get everyone around the table to swoon early. It will get the home fires burning! The splurge in this dish is the walnuts, but they won’t set you back that much. The other ingredients provide an immense amount of flavor for very little money. Serve the dish as a spread with hot pita bread, fresh if you can. You can even put muhamarra on greens as part of a salad.
A Cheap Valentine’s Day Menu Main Course: Beef and Red Wine Risotto
Beef and Red Wine Risotto is an very nice dish that has a five star feel with a 3 star budget. The creaminess of the risotto and the uniqueness of the beef and red wine in a risotto makes this dish a sure hit. Let’s face it, Risotto means romance. Arborio rice is cheap and so is beef broth. The wine does not have to be expensive to work in this recipe, and the leftover wine can be served with the dish! You could use beef tenderloin to really guild the lily, or you could use sirloin, which will be just as delicious and won’t break the bank.
A Cheap Valentine’s Day Menu Desserts: Lemon Possets and Brigadero Truffles
Something lemony is always a nice way to end a meal. Something bright and tangy will help folks pucker up! Plus, cream and lemon juice won’t break the bank. To spur passion, a second dessert is a must and it must be chocolate! For the cost of a can of sweetened condensed milk and some cocoa powder, you can have rich chocolatey goodness that will make anyone swoon. These brigadero truffles will be welcome when it comes time to pop little morsels into the mouth of your significant other(s).
Mocha BrigaderoTruffles
A Cheap Valentine’s Day Menu Flower Replacement: Baked Apple Roses
Flowers are expensive. A few apples and some frozen puff pastry are not. Plus, you won’t have to watch the baked apple roses wilt away to something you have to throw out! Perhaps more importantly, it is an opportunity to serve some dulce de leche – a food, for all practical purposes, that is as powerful as chocolate! Oh, the roses only look complicated. They are actually very easy to make.
Here is another Valentine’s Day Menu to consider if needed.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
Keep Eating! Keep Innovating!
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