EASY/PREP-AHEAD VALENTINE'S DAY DINNERS 2024:

Valentine's Day falls on a Wednesday this year, and partners will be looking for something special that's part make-ahead or quick & easy.  It'll be a bonus if the dish is healthy'ish and doesn't cost the earth.

    

67goingon50's Archive choices meet the need.  And there's a choice of frugal, luxury and in-between.

FRUGAL/WALLET-FRIENDLY

Quick & Easy Poultry Escalopes: perfect for a meal after work

Who wouldn't love a thin layer of tender poultry encased in crunchy batter?

Couple's Easy 3 course meal for a fiver'ish

Couple's spicy, succulent Asian spiced pork steaks with potatoes & salad
'Hurrah!  Meat & two veg and no gloopy teeth jarring sauce.'

IN BETWEEN

SPICED PHEASANT WITH ORANGE: wallet-friendly, low-fat; healthy

Slow-cooked game birds in a rich full-bodied sauce is ready when you get home. Tasters said:'Really great non-trad English flavour.'

CHILLI & GINGER SALMON

Taster: 'One of the finest fish dishes I have eaten; the chilli doesn't overwhelm the salmon.  Who'd guess the fish was frozen?"   

Vegan Wholemeal Pasta with Mushrooms, Peas & Chive Oil:  option for no-common-wheat 

Surprisingly delicious; nutty & layered with gorgeous flavours

VEGETARIAN: 

Avocado Pilaff (Warm): sublime, low salt/cholesterol 

Taster: 'the first time I had this, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven' 

Sensational Spinach Roulade: lower-fat pillowy green roulade layered with cream cheese and taramasalata; vegan opt. 

LUXURY

Special Occasion Chicken

Special treatment and a good-quality bird makes this chicken sensational

Perfect steak for a special someone

 Steak, cooked restaurant-style: a carnivore's dream

Seafood Pasta with Wine & Cream Sauce, Italian Style

Healthier High-Fibre Indulgence uses spelt pasta but there's an option for common wheat' 'Subtle layers of flavour.  Wouldn't have tried this normally but half-fat, lower-carb is a winner.' Taster

See also: 67's  wallet-friendly Valentine treats