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ByCarol
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Because Valentine’s Day falls on a weeknight this year, it may or may not be convenient for you to enjoy a dinner out with your sweetheart. My husband and I think it’s important to celebrate our relationship throughout the year, so a date on the calendar doesn’t matter to us.
If you plan to celebrate at home, here are 35 lovely dinners that are easy enough for a weeknight yet elegant enough for date night.
Be sure to serve my Classic Creme Brulee for Two or Avocado Chocolate Mousse for the perfect sweet ending to any of these meals!
IN THIS ARTICLE
Fish and Seafood
Preparing fish and seafood at home is not as difficult as you think! Make one of these recipes for your sweetheart, and you won’t put off enjoying fish and seafood until your next restaurant visit ever again!
Mediterranean Fish and White Bean Skillet
This Mediterranean Fish and White Bean Skillet combines that sunny region's classic ingredients for the perfect healthy dinner! Flaky white fish and creamy cannellini beans are infused with bright flavor as they bake under fresh lemon slices, olives, and a Fresno chile in a white wine reduction. Best of all, this light and delicious dish comes together in just one skillet!
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Fish en Papillote
Fishen Papillote captures all the classic flavors of the sunny region of the Mediterranean. A combination of ingredients, including juicy tomatoes, briny olives, tangy capers, fragrant garlic, olive oil, wine and refreshing lemon, is paired with fish. So much flavor all wrapped up in parchment paper parcels for a no-muss, no-fuss, healthy dinner!
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Pistachio Crusted Fish with Lemon Dill Aioli
Pistachio Crusted Fish with Lemon Dill Aioli is aneasy restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for date night and it’s ready in 30 minutes!
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Baked Veracruz Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana)
Baked Veracruz Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana) is an easy, light, colorful and super-flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight or date night!
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Baked Tilapia with Spinach Pecan Pesto
Baked Tilapia with Spinach – Pecan Pesto is an easy recipe that makes a great, healthy weeknight dinner that's also elegant enough to serve to guests!
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Butter Basted Halibut with Lemon Braised Baby Vegetables
Butter-Basted Halibut with Lemon-Braised Baby Vegetables is perfect for a spring dinner for two! It's light, fresh and the perfect way to showcase this beautiful fish!
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Blackened Halibut with Mango and Avocado Salsa
Blackened Halibut with Mango and Avocado Salsa is sure to become your new favorite fish dish! You’ll never buy blackening spice again once you try this homemade blend!
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Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut with Herb Caper Butter
Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut with Herb – Caper Butter is an easy yet elegant, restaurant-quality dinner for two you'll both love! Lovely, mild, sustainable halibut is wrapped in salty, savory prosciutto, browned then draped in a lemony herb and caper compound butter.
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Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils
Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils is a healthful way to spice up a date night dinner!
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Pomegranate and Orange Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables
Pomegranate and Orange Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables is healthful, light and easy to make! Omega-rich salmon and fresh vegetables are topped with a slightly spicy fruity glaze!
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Seared Sea Scallops with Tomato Red Onion and Balsamic Salsa
Seared Sea Scallops with Tomato, Red Onion and Balsamic Salsa is a light, elegant, restaurant-quality dish for two that's also super easy!
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Sweet Corn Risotto with Seared Sea Scallops and Basil Salsa Verde
Sweet Corn Risotto with Seared Sea Scallops and Basil Salsa Verde is a beautiful, delicious, summery date night dinner for two!
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Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree
Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree is a wonderful way to use leftover grilled corn and enjoy an elegant dinner for two at the same time!
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Pistachio Crusted Sea Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus
Pistachio Crusted Sea Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus is a beautiful, restaurant-quality meal that's easy to prepare at home. Perfect for any private celebration for two!
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Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce
Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce is easy and perfect for an Italian-inspired romantic dinner for two!
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Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes
Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes is a lovely, easy spring-inspired classic Italian dish that's perfect for a spring date night dinner! You can use baby artichokes or frozen!
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Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon
Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon is an American twist on traditional risotto and he perfect summer comfort food!
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Chicken
These easy chicken recipes are perfect for sharing with your sweetie. Some are healthy, some are spicy, and all are delicious!
Marry Me Chicken For Two
The classic Marry Me Chicken recipe scaled perfectly for two–the way it should be. This famous creamy chicken dish with sun-dried tomatoes is super easy to make and perfect for any date night.
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40 Clove Garlic Chicken
Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic is a classic French country dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or your most elegant dinner party. Paired with budget-friendly chicken thighs, all that garlic mellows into buttery goodness for a dish you'll fall in love with!
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Moroccan Chicken with Jeweled Couscous
Moroccan Chicken with Jeweled Couscous is like a quick culinary escape to Morrocco! The couscous comes together quickly while the chicken bakes. The two together make a stunning presentation!
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Grilled Bruschetta Chicken with Zucchini Noodles
Bruschetta Chicken with Zucchini Noodles is Italian-inspired, light, fresh, healthful and easy as summer itself. Perfect for low-carb, Paleo or gluten-free diets, too!
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Crab Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Crab Stuffed Chicken Breasts are elegant enough for a dinner party yet easy enough for a weeknight! A perfect date night dinner for two!
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Curry Braised Chicken Thighs
Spice up the night with your loved one with this Indian-inspired dinner for two! Serve with plenty of brown basmati rice to soak up this flavorful sauce.
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Korean Braised Chicken Thighs
Korean Braised Chicken Thighs use the most flavorful and budget-friendly part of the chicken for a dish you’ll crave again and again!
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Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil
Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil is a dish with a European flair! A rich, yet light wine sauce with earthy wild mushrooms is perfect for transitioning from summer to fall!
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Chicken in Rosa Sauce with Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Spinach
Chicken in Rosa Sauce with Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Spinach is perfect for your romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home! This simply delicious romantic Tuscan-inspired meal will have you asking for amoré!
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Beef, Pork, and Lamb
These beef, pork, and lamb dishes are the perfect easy and delicious indulgence for date night!
Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce
Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Cambozola Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce is entree and side dish all in one. You might call this dish seriously “over-the-top!”
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Lighter Beef Stroganoff
Lighter Beef Stroganoff is a healthier twist on a rich and luxurious dish that has aristocratic origins. This lightened-up version, scaled for two servings, makes it perfect for today.
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Spicy Tahini Pork Medallions with Harissa Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
Spicy Tahini Pork Medallions with Harissa Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges is a super-tasty dinner for two! You’ll enjoy making this spicy, flavorful dish for that special someone and it’s also the perfect easy dinner you can make together! It’s so good, my husband practically licked his plate!
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Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Mustard Sauce
Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon – Mustard Sauce is perfect for elegant entertaining! It's easy, elegant and can be prepped ahead.
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Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine and Caper Sauce
Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine and Caper Sauce is an elegant way to dress up a dinnertime staple–the pork chop!
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Parmesan and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops
Parmesan and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops are easy to prepare and perfect for a spring special occasion for two.
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Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Anchovy Butter
Here's an easy, restaurant-quality weeknight or date night dinner that's done in about 30 minutes! Seared Lamb Chops with Anchovy Butter rocks with flavor but are made from simple ingredients.
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Starters and Sides
Au Gratin Potatoes for Two
A delicious and simple side dish, cheesy, creamy Au Gratin Potatoes for Two is the perfect addition to your date night dinner. Pairs beautifully with so many main courses!
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French Onion Soup for Two
French Onion Soup is a classic that is always in season! This version is scaled perfectly for a lovely dinner for two!
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