Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Holidays & Occasions
  3. Valentine's Day
  4. 10 Dinners to Make Someone Fall in Love with You

10 Dinners to Make Someone Fall in Love with You

Lisa Cericola, Senior Food Editor for Southern Living
By Lisa Cericola
Skip gallery slides
FB
Pan-Seared Shrimp with Chive Grits and Salsa Verde
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. 
Start Slideshow

1 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Tangy-Sweet Lemon Chicken

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.

1 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grilled Cornish Hens with Herb Brine

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.

2 of 11

3 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pan-Seared Shrimp with Chive Grits and Salsa Verde

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.

3 of 11

Advertisement

4 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Homemade Applesauce

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.

4 of 11

5 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Coq au Vin

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.

5 of 11

6 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

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?

6 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Parmesan-Crusted Lamb Shanks

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.

7 of 11

8 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Linguine with Clam Sauce

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.

8 of 11

9 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Skillet Steak and Wilted Kale

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.

9 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mushroom Gnocchi

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.

10 of 11

11 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Gulf Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter

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.

11 of 11

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Lisa Cericola

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 11 Tangy-Sweet Lemon Chicken
    2 of 11 Grilled Cornish Hens with Herb Brine
    3 of 11 Pan-Seared Shrimp with Chive Grits and Salsa Verde
    4 of 11 Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Homemade Applesauce
    5 of 11 Coq au Vin
    6 of 11 We've Got Proof That Southerners Are More Romantic
    7 of 11 Parmesan-Crusted Lamb Shanks
    8 of 11 Linguine with Clam Sauce
    9 of 11 Skillet Steak and Wilted Kale
    10 of 11 Mushroom Gnocchi
    11 of 11 Gulf Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    10 Dinners to Make Someone Fall in Love with You
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.