The saying “the quickest way to the heart is through the stomach” is extremely relevant in Italy.
I’ve heard that saying so many times. Sometimes it is easy to dismiss it as silliness. But, food truly can play an important part when it comes to love and relationships. A recent survey found out that 80% of people feel that preparing a meal for someone is a significant act of love.
A perfect Italian dinner goes straight to the heart
What better way to put the famous phrase to the test than cooking a delicious meal for your loved one on the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s day? There are so many easy recipes out there that are sure to impress without the need for professional cooking skills.
Italian food, needless to say, works particularly well for this occasion… from starter to dessert, there is a variety of Italian ingredients which can help you find some inspiration to create a meal for two.
Top tips to make your Italian dinner easy and delicious
There are many easy ways and little tips and tricks to create easy but impressive Valentine’s recipes. My first tip would be to choose a starter that does not need any cooking. Something like a traditional Italian bruschetta will be delicious, easy and fast to make. Think something like ricotta and chilli jam to add a little bit of spice. Even butter and caviar if you really want to impress. The good thing is that my wicker hamper contains all of our confectionery flavours and a bottle of Italian prosecco. It would perfectly accompany your special evening.
Another quick and easy idea for a St Valentine’s starter is classic vol au vents. They are a great choice for a few reasons. You can make them with store-bought pastry, saving a lot of time and effort. You can fill them both with savoury or sweet ingredients, making them so versatile; and last but not least, you can shape them like hearts for a little extra romance.
You can even shape the pastry in advance and keep it in the freezer until you are ready to bake it.Filling ideas are endless, anything from olives and Philadelphia to seafood. Any extra pastry can also be used to make little appetisers, maybe sprinkled with Parmigiano, oregano or sesame seeds. If you are thinking of a sweet variation, ricotta and chocolate would be great, or Chantilly cream and cherries…
Any Italian dinner is not complete without pasta
For your main course, there is nothing easier to make or more delicious to eat than pasta! You can choose classic and easy spaghetti with olive oil, garlic and chilli, or delicious ravioli. If you want to make it a bit more special, look for ravioli with a seafood filling. Top them with lemon zest and a healthy helping of butter and thyme for a truly indulgent meal.
If you are really striving to impress and confident in your cooking skills, go for risotto: another great classic of the Italian culinary tradition, it can be customised to your liking with so many different varieties of flavours. Prawns and lemon zest works incredibly well in risotto too, or you can go for mascarpone and pink pepper, or also the very occasion-appropriate “Couples’ Risotto”, or Risotto Degli Innamorati. It works so well because it calls for simple, delicious ingredients, which together create a really characteristic and undoubtedly tasty dish, combining shrimp, creamy tomato sauce and a hint of chilli. Just like a box of Lavolio confectionery treats, this dish is so unique it’s sure to conquer your Valentine’s heart.
The perfect way to end an Italian dinner: a delicious gift of Italian confectionery
Needless to say, dessert is really the dish that shines the most on Valentine’s day. There are so many different options for you, from really easy puddings which come together without cooking to elaborate baked goods. However, there is no better way to end your meal than with a box of Lavolio confectionery. My gourmet sweets contain only the best quality chocolates, nuts and natural ingredients. With over 30 delicious flavours to choose from, their incredible combination of taste, textures and beautiful keepsake tins, they are the perfect Valentine’s gift, whether you are cooking a fancy meal or just cuddling on the sofa watching a film and eating delicious Italian chocolates with your sweetheart.
