You don’t need to use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to have an intimate dinner with someone you love. You don’t need to have such a dinner with a partner, either. Love is not dependent on the day, nor is there only one kind of it. All love is worth celebrating on any given day, but if you choose to celebrate now, consider using this pre-planned seasonal menu (or a portion of it) for a memorable, four-course meal with a loved one!
“A Toast… to Us!”
Raise your glass to love with this yuzu cocktail recipe! Yuzu is a particularly sour Japanese citrus, similar in flavor to a lemon and very fragrant, which makes it ideal for things like mixed drinks and baking. You can find yuzu variants at Crossroads Farm during the winter months, or lemons at Upriver Organics if the sourness of yuzu scares you. This recipe can easily be made non-alcoholic by substituting the gin for a N/A alternative, and omitting the orange bitters.
“You Look Like a Snack!”
These smoked salmon bites highlight a few winter farmers market stars: fresh arugula or spinach, shallots, and salmon. Find smoked salmon at Brandywine Fisheries, arugula and spinach at Upriver Organics, and shallots at vendors like Horai Farm. These are easy to make and easy to eat, giving you more face-to-face time with your loved one!
“You Nourish Me!”
For a simple but delicious entree, this leek risotto is perfect for a night in. The underrated leek paired with white wine and several kinds of dairy create a rich depth of flavor that fills the stomach and warms the heart. While much of the cooking time is spent tending to the stovetop, this serves as an excellent opportunity to dance around the kitchen with your loved one in between stirring.
“You’re Sweet!”
Treat yourselves to this simple pear galette. Using premade pie crusts makes this dessert an easy-to-prep homage to winter fruit. Galettes are a kind of pastry, similar to a tart or pie, which allows room for you and your loved one to get creative with how it is shaped, or how the fruit is arranged. Grab some pears from SLO Farm, or swap them for apples, or whatever other fruit is in season. Add some jam from vendors like Riverbend Farm to the bottom of your crust for an extra layer of sweetness.