Make the right decision and stay home this Valentine's Day.
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (1) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (1)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1d250000350036e88b.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
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) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (2)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c181f00002c00220efe.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
A Spicy Perspective
Get the Brown Butter Halibut Orzo And Mushroom Broth recipe from A Spicy Perspective
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Skirt Steak With Paprika Butter
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (4) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (4)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1824000031009586b2.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Food & Wine
Get the Skirt Steak With Paprika Butter recipe from Food & Wine
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4
Alice Medrich's Best Cocoa Brownies
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (5) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (5)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c182000003100fe6894.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Food52
Get Alice Medrich's Best Cocoa Brownies recipe by Genius Recipes from Food52
5
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Crab Cakes With Rémoulade Sauce
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (7) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (7)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1924000031005408cb.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
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) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (8)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c192100005100c5f98c.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Food52
Get the Tuscan Chicken Liver Paté recipe by gluttonforlife from Food52
8
9
Todd Coleman's Potato Gratin
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (10) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (10)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1a250000360036e885.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Food52
Get Todd Coleman's Potato Gratin recipe by Genius Recipes from Food52
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Nigella’s Flourless Chocolate Orange Cake
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (12) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (12)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1a2600003300805300.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
NeighborFood
Get Nigella’s Flourless Chocolate Orange Cake recipe from NeighborFood
12
Beet And Burrata Tart
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (13) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (13)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1a1f00002c00220f00.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Little Leopard Book
Get the Beet And Burrata Tart recipe from Little Leopard Book
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16
Toro Bravo's Radicchio Salad With Manchego Vinaigrette
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (17) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (17)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1b2000003000fe689a.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Food52
Get Toro Bravo's Radicchio Salad With Manchego Vinaigrette recipe by Genius Recipes from Food52
17
Idiot Proof Creamy Tomato And Curry Butter Lobster Pasta
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (18) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (18)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1b24000051005408cd.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Idiot Proof Creamy Tomato And Curry Butter Lobster Pasta recipe from Half Baked Harvest
18
Gooey Chocolate Coconut Truffles
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (19) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (19)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1b3c00005b000a97b9.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
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) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (20)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1c1f00005000220f04.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Adventures in Cooking
Get the Chantarelle Mushroom And Caramelized Shallot Risotto recipe from Adventures in Cooking
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21
Seared Scallops With Truffle And Butter Sauce
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (22) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (22)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1c24000031009586b6.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Macheesmo
Get the Seared Scallops With Truffle And Butter Sauce recipe from 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) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (23)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1c2200003000da13ae.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Food52
Get the Lemon And Olive Oil Marinated Fennel With Burrata And Mint recipe from Food52
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Warm Olives In Anchovy Oil
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (25) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (25)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1c24000031005408cf.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
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) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (26)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1d2200005600da13b0.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
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) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (27)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9e8c1d24000050009586b8.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)
Food52
Get the Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake With Meyer Lemon Whipped Cream recipe by Kenzi Wilbur from Food52
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Before You Go
![26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (28) 26 Deceptively Easy But Impressive Recipes For Valentine's Day (28)](https://i0.wp.com/img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9ccca02000003000fdb801.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale)