Discover easy recipes for two below, then check out our main collection of Valentine’s Day recipes. For easy snacks to serve with your food, check out our easy cocktail recipes. If you’re looking for a gift for your favorite foodie, check out our top picks in our Valentine’s Day gift guide. Discover the most romantic hotels in Great Britain now.
Find more stress-free recipes in our effortless entertaining recipes and no-oven recipes.
Starter: Cheese board
Set the tone for the evening with a comfortable cheese board. To make it suitable for two people, you can choose from one of the three baked cheeses: lemon baked goat cheese, baked camembert on the cob or baked feta with chipotle. Serve with plenty of crackers, raw vegetables and chutneys.
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Main course: Spatchcock chicken traybake
This easy one-can dinner promises plenty of flavor, thanks to the harissa-coated roast chicken, crispy chorizo, and caramelized orange. This recipe makes it easier by using pre-cooked basmati rice. It can serve up to four people, so it’s ideal for leftovers the next day.
Dessert: Raspberry chocolate pots
You only need three ingredients to prepare this silky, decadent pudding: dark chocolate, whipped cream and raspberries. This is guaranteed to be the easiest restaurant-level chocolate dessert you’ll ever make.
Cocktail: Espresso martini
Finish your Valentine’s meal with the ultimate coffee cocktail: mix fresh espresso with vodka and coffee liqueur for a sweet, velvety drink.
Find more inspiration, check out our simple cocktail recipes.
Starter: Fig salad
Start your Italian-inspired menu with a simple fresh fig salad, served with a spicy pink pepper dressing. It is a quick starter, with the finely grated Grana Padano providing a creamy but spicy contrast to the sweet figs.
Main course: Effortless shrimp linguine with dill butter and crispy fried eggs
Cook a special seafood pasta without the hassle, using potted brown shrimp. Good quality linguine takes this dish to new heights, while the fried egg makes the sauce extra rich.
Dessert: Affogato chocolate mousse
Your date will never guess that this espresso-infused pud takes just 15 minutes to make. It’s best to let it cool overnight, so it’s a winner if you’re looking for a dessert that you can make ahead of time and then pull out when you’re ready to serve. Sprinkle with cocoa and serve with shots of hot espresso on the side.
Cocktail: Wrong Negroni
A negroni sbagliato feels festive, so it’s a fitting drink for your Italian-inspired menu. Swapping gin for prosecco creates a lighter negroni and softens the bitterness.
Aperitif: Gildas
Anchovies, guindilla peppers and olives: that’s all you need to prepare this effortless Spanish snack. Serve on a tray as an appetizer while you prepare your main course.
Main course: Shrimp pil pil
Your date is sure to enjoy this Spanish-style main course, which features plump shrimp sitting in a pool of garlicky, spicy oil. It uses cheap, familiar ingredients, but the end result is impressive – just don’t forget the crusty bread to mop up all those delicious juices.
Dessert: Tinto de Verano Granita
Finally, you can transport yourself to a sunnier climate with this Spanish-style granita. Pour the ice-cold mixture into two chilled glasses and serve with a slice of lemon or lime for a refined garnish.
Cocktail: Winter sangria
For a winter twist on everyone’s favorite Spanish drink, turn to this winter sangria. It’s a great way to use up leftover port from Christmas, but it also works well with red wine.
More effortless desserts
Effortless madeleine ‘baba’
Try this cheat on a rum baba for a dessert that’s classy yet fuss-free. It’s very simple: use their favorite rum to make it even more special.
Grapefruit and mint syllabub
Floral rosé wine and tart, refreshing grapefruit take this syllabub to new heights – it may only take 10 minutes to make, but it will end your Valentine’s meal on a high note.
10 minute berry dessert
This quick berry pudding is deceptively easy to make: simply heat frozen berries in a saucepan to make a puree, add them to a glass and brush with cream mixed with Greek yogurt. Serve with gingerbread cookies for dunking and voilà .
