On Valentine’s Day, it’s nice to give (or receive) flowers. But there’s no denying the romance of whipping up a special meal for two. After all, the best way to a person’s heart is through their stomach.
It’s the day of love, so here are our favourite Valentine’s Day recipes that are impressive and achievable, from oysters (of course) to lots of pasta and lobster to figs, strawberries and… chocolate.
- Valentine’s Day breakfast recipes
- Valentine’s Day snack recipes
- Valentine’s Day dinner recipes
- Valentine’s Day dessert recipes
Valentine’s Day breakfast recipes
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Japanese soufflé pancakes with genmaicha sugar
These fluffy soufflé pancakes are elevated with the addition of a generous sprinkle of genmaicha sugar.
Turkish eggs with samoon
Though somewhat labour intensive, we promise that baking your own traditional Iraqi bread makes this meal even more delicious.
Ricotta hotcakes with apple and honey
Fast recipe for ricotta hotcakes with apple and honey.
Green shakshuka with Brussels sprouts, olives and labne
Make your greens the focus of your meal with this green shakshuka – the sicilian green olives give this vegetarian dish a burst of umami.
Chocolate, tahini and pear pancakes
A sweet stack we’d happily have for brunch or dessert.
Curtis Stone’s Liège-style waffles with rhubarb-vanilla jam
“One bite of these crisp, buttery waffles and you’ll never go back to regular waffles again,” says Curtis Stone.
Cheesy polenta waffles with fried egg and ham
Polenta adds a gorgeous texture to these waffles, which are perfect for breakfast or brunch – or dinner, or supper for that matter.
Hong Kong French toast with smoked cinnamon ice-cream and spiced cherry sauce
This softly spiced take on French toast is sure to delight.
Syrian filled pancakes with pistachio cream
Otherwise known as Qatayef Asafiri.
Rose jam with strawberries and buckwheat crêpes
Recipe for rose jam with strawberries and buckwheat crêpes by Danielle Alvarez.
Valentine’s Day snacks (and aphrodisiacs)
Oysters with pomegranate dressing
An oyster combination that tastes as good as it looks.
Salt and vinegar 15 hour potato bites
These trendy taters are best started a day in advance, but the crispy deliciousness as a result is well worth the wait.
Fig leaf-baked brie with pickled figs and fennel seed fougasse
There’s nothing much better than oozey, gooey brie, fresh-baked fougasse and a pickled fig or two.
Beef carpaccio, fig and fennel salad
Impress dinner guests with this simple and speedy summer salad.
Lobster mousse
Was the ’60s the high-watermark of the savoury mousse? We’ve taken inspiration from parties of the past for our lobster mousse, served with golden oily Melba toast for dipping.
Scallops with Champagne and pea sauce
Sweet Australian scallops pair perfectly with this vibrant Champagne and pea sauce, topped with nuggets of chorizo and texture.
Three-cheese fondue with chorizo oil and crudités
If you can’t get enough cheese, then this is the dish for you.
Raes on Wategos’ oysters with lemon-aspen vinegar, anise-myrtle oil and finger lime
For oysters with personality.
Scallop crudo with crisp ginger and pomegranate
This elegant summer starter comes together in just 15 minutes.
Blistered shishito with queso fundido (Mexican cheese dip)
This Mexican cheese dip is the ultimate party starter.
Valentine’s Day dinner recipes
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Proscuitto-wrapped chicken with fig and goat’s cheese stuffing
Chicken involtini gets an upgrade in this impressive chicken dish.
Fig, pomegranate and burrata with Sherry vinaigrette
Sherry vinegar adds brightness and depth to the winning combination of figs, pomegranate and burrata.
Tachin with caramelised onion, pomegranate and pistachios
Pomegranate makes for a vibrant addition to this Tachin.
Grilled lobster with beurre blanc and chives
Lobster is the ultimate show-stopping centrepiece, always.
Spaghetti alla carbonara
Traditional Italian spaghetti carbonara recipe is made with pasta, eggs, cheese and salty guanciale.
Roast onion tarte Tatin with apple and Comté salad
A quick and easy tart recipe for an impressive vegetarian lunch.
Ouzo, saffron and garlic mussels
Garlic and saffron are the spice stars in this summer seafood dish.
Spaghetti with clams and butter
The spaghetti alle vongole con burro from London’s River Café doesn’t skimp on indulgence.
Sean Moran’s pork belly roasted with fennel, radicchio and figs
A pork roast enhanced with sweet, salty and sharp flavours.
Al Dente’s prawn ravioli
A very luxe pasta indeed.
Za’atar roast chicken with pilaf, pomegranate and nuts
This fragrant chicken dish is made to serve in the centre of the table for guests to help themselves. We’ve made the za’atar fresh for a more intense thyme flavour.
Marameo’s squid-ink spaghetti with crab, chilli and tomato
The type of pasta dish we’d happily eat year-round.
Thai-style barbecued lobster with lemongrass, makrut lime and palm sugar
A vibrant take on a classic seafood Christmas dish.
Cavatelli with pancetta, mint, figs and pecorino
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for cavatelli with pancetta, mint, figs and pecorino.
Pumpkin ravioli with sage brown butter
A combination that’s a classic for good reason.
