Recipe Station

My husband loves two things pasta and cheese! So when I saw this Roasted Red Pepper Parmesan Fettuccine I knew it had to go on the menu. Feta and Parm mixed together?! Plus I love a dish that is prepared in one pan, less time spent at the sink means more time with your date.

Romantic Dinner #1 – Roasted Red Pepper Parmesan Fettuccine

What you’ll need from the store:

• 8 oz fettuccine pasta

• 3 tbsp butter

• 3 tbsp flour

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 12 oz jar roasted red peppers- drained and patted dry with a paper towel

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 4 oz crumbled feta cheese

• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Find the instructions at: Grace and Good Eats

If you are looking for something a little lighter, something you can serve with just a small side of pasta, you have to check out the next recipe, Creamy Garlic Chicken!

Now if this is a first date you might want to skip this one! Remember I’ve been married for ten years, this list was made to replicate out yummy dinners out! We aren’t scared of a little garlic. Another fantastic one pan meal!

Romantic Dinner #2 – Creamy Garlic Chicken

What you’ll need from the store:

• 2 Tbsp. cooking oil

• 6-8 chicken thighs, skin on (could use any skin-on chicken pieces)

• Salt and freshly-ground black pepper

• 20-22 cloves of garlic (2 full heads), separated and peeled

• 2 Tbsp. flour

• 3/4 cup dry white wine

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1 1/4 tsp. fresh thyme leaves (or about 3/4 tsp. dried leaves)

• 2 Tbsp. butter

Find the Instructions at: Seasons and Suppers

So for those of you who are looking for something really light and fresh but still on par with a yummy night out this next salmon recipe is for you!

There is nothing better than small pieces of fish cooked on a stick! Each bite gets an equal amount of lovely herbed flavor.

Romantic Dinner Recipe #3 – Rosemary Salmon Kebabs

What you’ll need from the store:

• 1 pound 1-inch-thick salmon filets, skin removed

• 1 lemon

• Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 10 minutes

• 1 5-inch sprig rosemary

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Olive oil spray

Find the Instructions at: Stetted

Without my kids there I have a little more freedom to serve! Check out this next little shrimp number that made the list!

Romantic Dinner Recipe #4 – Garlic Baked Shrimp

What you’ll need from the store:

• 1 lb large shrimp, raw, shell-on (preferably)

• 1/2 lb butter

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• juice of 1 large lemon

• 1/2 tbsp paprika

• 1 tbsp pepper

• 1/4 tsp oregano

• 1/4 tsp basil

• 1/4 tsp rosemary

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp garlic, minced

Find the Instructions at: blackberrybabe

Nothing says romantic dinner more than a nice cut of beef. This next recipe for flank steak is great for a cozy dinner for two!

Cooking individual steaks can be tough, varying thickness and cuts make it hard to get the same temp, but with a flank steak is a sure fire way to get a nice piece of meat cooked at the perfect med-rare temp!

Romantic Dinner Recipe #5 – Marinated Flank Steak

• 1/2 cupvegetable oil

• 1/3 cup soy sauce

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 1/2 tablespoonsWorcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 1/2 pounds flank steak

Find the instructions at: Allrecipes.com

If you have read any of my other posts you know how my husband feels about chicken. This next recipe put a little zesty twist on his favorite staple!

Dijon mustard is a great secret weapon. I add it to dressings all the time to give a little zest but I had never added it to chicken until now!

Romantic Dinner Recipe #6 – Rosemary Dijon Chicken

What you’ll need from the store:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

• Salt & pepper

• Rosemary

Find the instructions at: Freshdreamer

No romantic recipe list would be complete without a pork dish. The next and final item on my list is an exciting combination, pork on pork!

Since this is the only pork recipe on the list why not make it a double? Pork wrapped in bacon? Yes, please!

Romantic Dinner Recipe #7 Pork Wrapped In Bacon

What you’ll need from the store:

• 8 to 10 slices of streaky bacon, long enough to wrap around the pork 1½ times.

• 1lb / 500g pork tenderloin, at room temperature

• Salt and pepper

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup – I prefer honey because it is thicker which creates a better glaze)

Find the instructions at: RecipeTinEats

Any of these dishes, except for maybe the first recipe, could be served with a small side of pasta, that would probably be the easiest, most time efficient choice. Luckily there are great low carb pasta options out there, brown rice or quinoa even.

If you are trying to lighten it up you could toss a green salad in vinaigrette and boil up a pot of brown basmati rice. Or roast up a nice baking dish filled with your favorite veggie. Mine are Brussels sprouts sliced in half, coated in olive oil, salt and pepper and baked at 425 degrees F for 20-25 minutes and then drizzled with fresh lemon and maybe some parm. My husband’s favorite is green beans and they can be prepared exactly the same way. The side item possibilities are endless!

So if you are looking for a good vegetable recipe to serve with any of these delicious meal choices be sure to check out our extensive list of easy side items.