How to Make Valentine's Day Dinner

Cooking a special meal for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day is one way you can celebrate the romantic holiday and show your significant other how much they mean to you. Sure, chocolates, flowers and jewelry are nice, but when you take the time to create delicious food with your own hands, it shows that your love extends beyond mere material goods. This guide will show you how to make Valentine's Day dinner that will make your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse or life partner swoon with warm feelings.

To really knock your lover off of his or her feet this Valentine's Day, your dinner should consist of a few courses, as well as include a quality selection of wine or champagne (or if you do not drink, a bottle of sparkling water or apple cider such as Martinelli's). Flat water should also be set on the table to quench thirst.

You may choose to start your Valentine's Day meal with a salad, a hot appetizer or both. When you move on to the main course, you may wish to prepare something that is a favorite of your sweetheart--you can't go wrong by making a dish that you already know he or she enjoys. However, it can also be fun to get creative, particularly if you know that your lover enjoys culinary exploration. Just remember to keep his or her tastes in mind--after all, this dinner is essentially a gift. For dessert, chocolate is a very romantic choice. Alternatively, fruits such as strawberries can also be romantic. Below you will find options for all courses of your special meal, as well as preparation instructions.

Here are some appetizers and salads that will go well with just about any Valentine's day dinner:

• Beet salad: Boil beets for 25 minutes, and let cool. Then slice thinly and top with walnuts, goat cheese or bleu cheese and a raspberry vinaigrette.

• Mixed green salad: Plate assorted mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices and grated carrots. Top with your favorite salad dressing.

• Oysters on the half shell: You can have these shucked by your local fishmonger, or shuck them at home. Serve well chilled with lemon wedges and hot sauce (such as Tabasco sauce) or ponzu.

• Steamed mussels: See How to Steam Mussels for a complete recipe with a white wine and tomato broth

• Tomato soup: Simple, but comforting with a romantic red hue. See How to Make Tomato Soup for complete recipes.

You have many options here, but Italian food is a romantic way to go. Lasagna, for example, is a warm, comforting choice, and most people enjoy it very much. This page will show you how to make a vegetable lasagna that takes care of both your main dish and vegetable all at once. It is hearty and filling, but not so heavy that it will leave you too stuffed for dessert. Serve with warm garlic bread and freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.

Another option is angel hair pasta (also known as capellini) topped with shrimp scampi. To make the scampi:

1. Prepare the pasta according to package directions
2. Heat a large skillet over medium flame
3. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter
4. Add a pound of peeled and deveined shrimp
5. Saute for 2 minutes, then add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped garlic
6. Flip shrimp to cook for another 2 minutes until completely pink
7. Remove shrimp, and set on top of pasta
8. Add 1/4 cup white vermouth and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to the pan, and salt and pepper to taste
9. Finish with 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley and 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest, and bring to a boil until thickened
10. Pour sauce over shrimp/pasta and serve

To keep your entree warm while eating the appetizers, heat your oven to 150 degrees and keep plates of food inside.

The dessert is a very important part of your Valentine's Day dinner. It will end the meal and set the tone for the rest of the evening. Because chocolate is a known aphrodisiac food, it is almost always an excellent choice (assuming the both of you enjoy it, of course). If you want to go the simple route, you can opt to serve assorted chocolate candies. A heart-shaped box full of these sweet treats will usually be a winner. Of course, you can also make your own creations.

Finger foods such as cupcakes are a good choice, as the serving sizes are manageable and the two of you can have fun feeding one another. This How to Make Valentine's Day Cupcakes page will show you a recipe for chocolatey red velvet cupcakes topped with romantic pink icing and candy hearts.

Another great option is homemade strawberry shortcake. This is simple to make, and a nice, light choice if you don't wish to serve chocolate. To make, slice strawberries thinly and sprinkle with sugar (to taste) and a tablespoon or so of lemon juice. Stir well. Serve on top of angel food cake or shortcake rounds, and then top with whipped cream. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint leaves for flair.