What makes a good Valentine’s Day recipe?
For that matter, how do you really qualify a dish as being more romantic than the next? Anything made with love should count, whether that’s delicate heart-shaped ravioli or a giant pot of chili. Classic aphrodisiacs get a nod, for sure, whether or not they can actually influence a person’s immediate desires.
Food itself is love.
There’s an undeniable intimacy in preparing a meal for someone you love. It’s a vulnerable act, pouring your own hopes and tastes, energy and creativity into every chop, stir, and sauté. Ingredients meld with emotions, creating a dish that is not just a combination of flavors but a manifestation of affection.
While I’m sharing my top plant-based picks for Valentine’s Day here, like all advice on the internet, your mileage may vary. The good news is that when you start with love, you can’t go too far wrong.
12 Best Valentine's Day Recipes
Cook and bake with heart to express your love through food! These recipes won't miss the mark when you want to indulge you Valentine.
Pink Pomegranate Smoothie Bowl
Pretty in pink but powerfully nutritious, this easy blend will energize, satisfy, and sooth, all in one delicious spoonful.
Heart-Felt Endive Salad
Hearts are a surprisingly common ingredient in my kitchen, found here in the form of artichokes, hearts of palm, hemp, and endive. A bright, punchy, yet delicate dressing of grapefruit and cayenne gives the salad some kick, without smothering the vegetables’ subtle nuances.
Trumpet Mushroom Scallops
Trumpet mushrooms make a perfect substitute for buttery, savory scallops. By using the air fryer to finish them, you get the perfect golden sear everytime! Served on a bed of luscious red beet puree, it doesn't get more luxurious than that.
Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Flavorful without being heavy or cloying like many pureed soups can be, this one light starter won’t weigh you down.
Seared Hearts of Palm Scallops with Cauliflower Puree
Resting on a lush bed of cauliflower puree, tender sliced hearts of palm seamlessly take the place of seafood. Crunchy bites of pistachio punctuate the creamy base, which is all at once light yet decadent.
Beeting Heart Pasta
Pasta is love, and these pretty pink noodles come straight from the heart. Heart-shaped roasted beets intertwine with homemade linguine, topped with dollops of vegan ricotta, a touch of olive oil, garlic, basil, and lemon zest. If that doesn't say "I love you," I don't know what will.
Blushing Beets Pierogi
These homemade pierogi are stuffed with an alluring pink filling of red beets and mashed potato! That savory, earthy flavor paired with the lightly herbaceous wrapping is simply irresistible, especially when pan-fried and paired with a smidgen of vegan sour cream on the side. Of course, you could go the healthier route and boil them more like ravioli, but come on, live a little; Treat your loved ones to a truly special meal!
Sakura Sushi
Pretty pink sushi rolls infused with cherry blossom powder are the perfect dish to celebrate spring! A classic umi-shiso filling makes them a snap to make and enjoy.
Apple Roses
These quick treats will have you seeing the situation through rose-tinted glasses. Simply wrap up apple slices infused in blushing beet syrup with flaky puff pasty for a beautiful treat that will blossom in the oven.
Cherry Hot Chocolate Spoons
Chocolate-covered cherries, those quintessential Valentine’s Day bon bons, are now re-imagined as a voluptuous glass of hot chocolate waiting to happen.
Crunchy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
100% frustration-free, there’s no chilling of the dough. Go ahead, pull out your most intricate cookie cutters, make your own crazy shapes, slice that dough to within an centimeter of it’s sugary life, because it won’t spread for anything.
Hidden Heart Wild Blueberry Cake
Though unimpressive, at first glance, the true beauty of this blueberry cake is revealed within the very first slice. Concealed beneath an ocean of deep blue batter lies heart of gold- Golden vanilla pound cake, at least!