10 Dinners to Make Someone Fall in Love with You

By Lisa Cericola

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Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Food is the surest path to a Southerner's heart and these Valentine's Day dinner recipes are guaranteed to seal the deal. Instead of fighting the crowds at an overbooked restaurant, show your special someone that you really care and cook for them at home this Valentine's Day. We've collected some of our favorite recipes for a romantic night in. Whether you're cooking for a meat lover, a vegetarian, a seafood fan, or a pasta aficionado, we have a recipe that will make him or her love you even more. These recipes may look impressive and taste amazing, but they don't require lots of experience in the kitchen. Even if you're not a seasoned cook, you can whip up an impressive Valentine's Day menu. Many of these recipes feed four to six people but all can be easily scaled down for a dinner for two. Choose a recipe that will delight your significant other, set the table with your best dishes (bonus points for flowers and cloth napkins), pop open a bottle of wine, and prepare to rake in the compliments.

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Tangy-Sweet Lemon Chicken

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Tangy-Sweet Lemon Chicken

Serve a Mediterranean-inspired meal full of bright, sunny flavors. You’ll love the aroma and flavor of this chicken cooked with dates, citrus, cinnamon, and thyme.

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Grilled Cornish Hens with Herb Brine

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Grilled Cornish Hens with Herb Brine

Cornish hens are perfect for Valentine’s Day. Not only are they adorable, everyone gets their own bird so there’s no fighting over the dark or white meat. This recipe serves six, but can be scaled down to serve two.

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Pan-Seared Shrimp with Chive Grits and Salsa Verde

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Pan-Seared Shrimp with Chive Grits and Salsa Verde

You’ve never had shrimp and grits like this. Halved cherry tomatoes and a tangy salsa verde add color and a bright punch of flavor to buttery grits and sweet seared shrimp. This recipe serves six, but can easily be halved if you don’t want leftovers.

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Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Homemade Applesauce

Credit: Hector M Sanchez

Recipe: Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Homemade Applesauce

February weather calls for comfort food, and this recipe fits the bill while still being elegant. One small pork tenderloin feeds two people generously, so scale down the recipe as needed.

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Coq au Vin

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Coq au Vin

Skip the reservation at that fancy French place and cook up your own romantic dinner at home. This classic dish of wine-stewed chicken is typically made with red wine, but this recipe calls for white wine for a lighter flavor.

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We've Got Proof That Southerners Are More Romantic

Southerners do grand romantic gestures better than most – just think about Noah from Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. He hung off a ferris wheel until Allie agreed to a date, and then he built her dream home. In A Walk To Remember, Landon completed everything on Jamie's bucket list (and we all cried). But, we aren't just finding these true-love couples in movies; Southerners like Justin Timberlake and Johnny Cash have renewed our faith in the power of love. What's your favorite Southern romance story?

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Parmesan-Crusted Lamb Shanks

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Parmesan-Crusted Lamb Shanks

Lamb is a special occasion dish and this version, crusted with crisp parmesan breadcrumbs, will certainly impress. The recipe serves six but can easily be halved for a dinner for two.

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Linguine with Clam Sauce

Recipe: Linguine with Clam Sauce

Valentine’s Day dinners don’t have to cost a week’s worth of groceries. If you’re on a budget, this simple but delicious pasta will make a memorable meal.

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Skillet Steak and Wilted Kale

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Skillet Steak and Wilted Kale

Satisfy meat lovers and still sneak in some vegetables with this winning skillet dinner.

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Mushroom Gnocchi

Credit: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Mushroom Gnocchi

Dress up store-bought gnocchi with mushrooms, garlic, and parsley. Serve with your favorite green salad for an easy but elegant vegetarian Valentine’s Day supper.

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Gulf Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Gulf Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter

Crab cakes make a special, indulgent meal and this simple recipe lets the seafood shine.

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By Lisa Cericola