How to Make Valentine Dinner Recipes

When I originally learned how to make Valentine dinner recipes,  I could only think about luscious high calorie desserts, cakes or cookies. What can we have for dessert? This starts shortly after we have gone through our major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. I don’t have to remind you of the fantastic tasting sweets that most of us consume during this time of the year.


I finally learned how to make Valentine dinner recipes to use as a main entrée. These could be something a little different than what we normally prepare; maybe something a little special. Most people are never disappointed with chicken; especially when it is well seasoned. I have also chosen some hearty meat pies since we are experiencing cold nasty weather in much of the world.

I love the taste of peanut sauce! It is so good served with this flavorful chicken satay recipe.  This Asian recipe is the national food of Indonesia.  Turmeric is a necessary ingredient to include in the chicken marinade which gives it the coloring. (I also love turmeric and add it to many of my spice mixes, soups and stews. I have read it is supposed to be very healthy.) Anyone who likes Asian food will appreciate being served this recipe.

I learned how to make Valentine dinner recipes like this mustard baked chicken and found it to be a center for any special occasion. The aroma of this marinade when mixing is delightful. When the chicken is roasting you won’t be able to wait for it to come out of the oven. Throw in a few potatoes and carrots with the chicken and it is a whole meal in one; and very special.

Hearty meat pies are great for this cold weather. Most recipes are economical to make and easy to make but they can be made special as for Valentine dinner recipes. Pick a recipe which includes the favorite ingredients and seasonings of your diners. If they like stews then they would like the French Canadian recipe, Mexican food lovers will like the tamale pie recipe and then there is the Italian favorite. All can be made special for Valentine’s Day with simple decorations. For steam vents in pies with a top crust, cut out small hearts. Small pastry hearts can be placed on top of pies without a top crust like the tamale pie.

FRENCH CANADIAN MEAT PIE RECIPE a special Valentine Dinner Recipe

Meat pie recipes make great Valentine dinner recipes. They are hearty and warming for the lingering cold weather and very seasoned and tasty.

  • 1 Pie shell with top dough (9 inches)
  • 2/3 Pound diced pork
  • 1/3 Pound diced beef
  • ½ Celery stalk with leaves chopped
  • ½ Small carrot shredded
  • 1 Small shredded potato
  • 1 Medium chopped onion
  • Salt/pepper to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon shortening

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
In large skillet in melted shortening sauté celery and onion until soft.
Add meat, salt and pepper and cook until meat is well done; stir in potato and carrot.
Drain off any liquid and pour mixture into pie shell; place top crust on and crimp edges.
NOTE: Cut steam vents in top crust; lightly brush top with milk.
Bake on cookie sheet or foil to catch drippings; bake 1 hour or until crust is brown.

TAMALE PIE RECIPE

  • 2 Cups quick hominy grits
  • 4 Cups boiling salt water
  • 1 Small diced onion
  • 1 Small diced bell pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon shortening
  • 1 Pound ground beef
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 Teaspoon chili powder
  • 3 Cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
  • 1 Can (4 ounces) sliced olives

Cook hominy grits in boiling salt water until thick mush.
Spread half of the grits over the bottom of a greased casserole dish.
Sauté onion and bell pepper in melted shortening; add meat, salt and chili powder.
When meat is almost done add tomato sauce and pour mixture over grits.
Top meat mixture with remaining grits; dot with olives.
Bake in preheated oven at 350F degrees for about 1 hour.

MUSTARD BAKED CHICKEN RECIPE

How to Make Valentine Dinner RecipesMustard Baked Chicken Recipe

This makes an elegant entree for a Valentine dinner recipe.

  • 1 Whole chicken about 4 pounds
  • 1 Tablespoon paprika
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Remove giblet and neck and rinse chicken with cold water; pat dry.
Place chicken in large zip lock plastic freezer bag.
Stir together paprika and next 5 ingredients until well blended.
Rub mixture over chicken coating evenly.
Chill at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours turning frequently.
Remove from marinade and discard marinade; place chicken in a roasting pan.
Bake at 350F degrees for 75 to 90 minutes or until meat thermometer reaches 170F degrees.
NOTE: Cover lightly with foil to prevent excessive browning.
Let stand 15 minutes covered before slicing.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE PIE RECIPE

Italian Sausage Pie RecipeItalian Sausage Pie Recipe
  • 1 Pound bulk Italian sausage
  • ½ Cup chopped onion
  • 5 Eggs
  • 1 Egg white
  • 1 Package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach thawed and well drained
  • 2 Cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 Cup ricotta cheese
  • ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pastry for double crust for 9 or 10 inch pie
  • 1 Beaten egg yolk
  • 1 Tablespoon water
Italian Sausage Pie RecipeItalian Sausage Pie

Cook sausage and onion in a large skillet until sausage is done; drain off excess fat.
In large mixing bowl beat together whole eggs and egg white.
Combine drained spinach, mozzarella, ricotta and garlic powder; stir into egg mixture.
Stir egg cheese mixture into sausage mixture.
Line pie plate with half of pastry dough; spread filling evenly in pie shell.
Roll remaining half of pastry and top pie; trim edges, seal and crimp edges.
Brush top of pastry with mixture of egg yolk and water; cut slits in top to let steam escape.
Bake in preheated oven at 375F degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until top is golden.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving; cut into wedges to serve.

BEST PIE CRUST

This is the best pie crust recipe for this Italian sausage pie recipe of these Valentine dinner recipes. Try it for your other favorite pie recipes. It is so flaky and delicious! It makes 1 double crust for 10 inch pie plate.

  • 1 Cup shortening (Use good quality-I use Crisco)
  • 2 Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon vinegar
  • 1/3 Cup milk

Cut shortening into flour and salt with pastry cutter;
Combine vinegar in cup with milk; blend into flour mixture.
Roll out on floured board.
NOTE: For my pie, I used the trimmings to make rose and the cut out hearts for vents to color red.