Reservations are scarce, restaurants are crowded, and the weather can be frightful this time of year — what’s a romantic to do? We recommend you stay home and cozy up to your Valentine with a decadent meal that’s totally easy to pull off.
The secret to this menu is fresh, top-quality ingredients simply and deliciously. All you’ll need to do is a quick shop (do it early in the day if you can), then get out some candles and cue your favorite music for an intimate meal you can have ready in under an hour. That leaves you plenty of time for relaxed, indulgent dining.
Start with Oysters
Sweet, briny, velvety oysters: They’re the classic “mood food” for lovers and a great at-home treat. You can shuck them yourself — just watch our how-to video opens in a new tab. Serving them can be as simple as placing some lemon wedges and a small bowl of cocktail sauce on the side, or try an easy topping:
Chimichurri, a fresh, herby sauce that’s an unexpectedly delicious topping for oysters; you can pick up a jar, or try our recipe for a simple mild chimichurri opens in a new tab
Chopped bacon and finely diced jalapeño, a pleasure for bacon lovers
Sriracha and lime, a modern riff on the spicy-tangy combo
Classic mignonette sauce opens in a new tab, a sophisticated pairing of red-wine vinegar and shallots that’s so easy to make
They’ll be absolutely delicious, and there’s a bonus: Selecting Responsibly Farmed opens in a new tab oysters is an ideal way to show you care.
Settle in For Lobster Tails
There’s nothing quite like sharing tender, succulent lobster with someone you love. Wild-caught lobster tails are a fantastic way to indulge, with minimal prep and mess (no bibs required!). Steamed lobster opens in a new tab is a classic and tops for enjoying the pure taste of the luscious tail meat. Or you can roast the tails with a flavorful herb topping; this easy recipe opens in a new tab shows you how (steak is optional!).
You’ll want one or two tails per person, and have extra lemon slices and melted butter on the side, plus some flaky seas salt and cracked pepper — simplicity rules.
Add a Side of Passion
Asparagus it is! This veggie is packed with heart-warming nutrition making it ideal for a feast of love. Steam the spears or blanch them in lightly salted water, and they’ll be ready in minutes; cook them just until they turn bright green and the stalks just turn tender.
Your asparagus will be perfectly dressed with just a drizzle of butter and lemon and sprinkle of salt and pepper — exactly what you’ll be serving your lobster with. Or you can branch out with a fabulous recipe for easy roasted asparagus opens in a new tab, a great way to bring out the sweetness of this sensuous vegetable. Bonus: Asparagus is on sale for $2.99 lb from 2/7 - 2/14/18*.
Choose A Wine
In the mood for bubbles? Two great reasons to break out the champagne glasses: De Chanceny Rosé Brut a sparkling dry rosé in a very festive shade, or De Chanceny Crémant de Loire Brut, a fresh, floral, versatile bubbly. Both are excellent values from France’s famous Loire region, and you can save $2 on a 750 ML bottle of each from 2/7 - 2/14/18*.
End with Chocolate
Valentines is synonymous with sweets, so don’t skip dessert, even if you don’t have time to bake: pick up a Sweetheart Cake from our bakery department on sale for $6.99 from 2/7 - 2/14/18*. It’s rich, chocolaty and heart-shaped, so it covers all the bases with no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.
Serve the cake as is, or give it a romantic garnish. Winter-season raspberries are gorgeous with anything chocolate, or you can dress up the plate with a few of our Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries, made with the biggest, sweetest berries dunked in luscious chocolate.
*Valid 2/7 - 2/14/18. While supplies last. Not valid at Whole Foods Market 365™ stores. U.S. only. No rain checks. The asparagus sale excludes organic.
