26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (2024)

Make the right decision and stay home this Valentine's Day.

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (1)

First things first: don't eat out on Valentine's Day. Going to a restaurant on Valentine's Day is a little like dining out on New Year's Eve. You're surrendering to meaningless hype. You're needlessly subjecting yourself to overpriced prix-fixe menus. You're voluntarily submerging yourself in hoards of annoying crowds (V-Day couples are arguably more irritating than drunken New Year's Eve revelers). And you're signing up for mediocre food as restaurants do what they must to keep pace with one of the busiest nights of the year. You needn't take part in this dining death sentence, however. Go out to celebrate Valentine's Day if you must -- just do it on a day that isn't February 14.

Instead of going out to eat for Valentine's Day, do what all long-term couples do best: eat at home, preferably on the couch. Or get a little fancy and eat at the table. Either way, you'll be making the right decision if you cook at home on Valentine's Day. Worried a home-cooked meal won't impress your Valentine as much as spending unnecessary bills on sub-par food? Worry not. We've rounded up 26 recipes that sound, look and taste difficult but are actually really easy. These recipes run the gamut from decadent to light, and the one thing they all have in common is that they're totally doable, no matter your experience level in the kitchen.

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With this year's holiday falling on a Saturday, Valentine's Day is going to be a zoo at any restaurant. Keep away from the animals and try one of these deceptively easy but wildly impressive recipes.

1

Brown Butter Halibut Orzo And Mushroom Broth

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (2)

A Spicy Perspective

2

Lobster Bisque

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (3)

Gimme Some Oven

Get the Lobster Bisque recipe from Gimme Some Oven

3

Skirt Steak With Paprika Butter

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (4)

Food & Wine

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4

Alice Medrich's Best Cocoa Brownies

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (5)

Food52

Get Alice Medrich's Best Cocoa Brownies recipe by Genius Recipes from Food52

6

Crab Cakes With Rémoulade Sauce

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (7)

Brown Eyed Baker

Get the Crab Cakes With Rémoulade Sauce recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

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7

Tuscan Chicken Liver Paté

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (8)

Food52

Get the Tuscan Chicken Liver Paté recipe by gluttonforlife from Food52

8

Kale Citrus Salad

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (9)

Minimalist Baker

Get the Kale Citrus Salad recipe from Minimalist Baker

9

Todd Coleman's Potato Gratin

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (10)

Food52

Get Todd Coleman's Potato Gratin recipe by Genius Recipes from Food52

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10

Moules Marinière

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (11)

Alexandra's Kitchen

Get the Moules Marinière recipe from Alexandra's Kitchen

11

Nigella’s Flourless Chocolate Orange Cake

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (12)

NeighborFood

12

Beet And Burrata Tart

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (13)

Little Leopard Book

Get the Beet And Burrata Tart recipe from Little Leopard Book

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14

Linguine Con Vongole

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (15)

Food52

Get the Linguine Con Vongole recipe by TheWimpyVegetarian from Food52

15

Balsamic-Roasted Shallots

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (16)

Food52

Get the Balsamic-Roasted Shallots recipe by Kenzi Wilbur from Food52

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16

Toro Bravo's Radicchio Salad With Manchego Vinaigrette

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (17)

Food52

17

Idiot Proof Creamy Tomato And Curry Butter Lobster Pasta

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (18)

Half Baked Harvest

18

Gooey Chocolate Coconut Truffles

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (19)

How Sweet It Is

Get the Gooey Chocolate Coconut Truffles recipe from How Sweet It Is

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19

Chantarelle Mushroom And Caramelized Shallot Risotto

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (20)

Adventures in Cooking

20

Flourless Nutella Cake

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (21)

bell'allimento

Get the Flourless Nutella Cake recipe from bell'allimento

21

Seared Scallops With Truffle And Butter Sauce

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (22)

Macheesmo

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22

Lemon And Olive Oil Marinated Fennel With Burrata And Mint

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (23)

Food52

23

Chocolate Truffles

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (24)

Simply Recipes

Get the Chocolate Truffles recipe from Simply Recipes

24

Warm Olives In Anchovy Oil

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (25)

Food52

Get the Warm Olives In Anchovy Oil recipe by ieatthepeach from Food52

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25

Easy One Pan Fettuccine Alfredo

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (26)

Number 2 Pencil

Get the Easy One Pan Fettuccine Alfredo recipe from Number 2 Pencil

26

Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake With Meyer Lemon Whipped Cream

26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (27)

Food52

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