The Perfect Valentine’s Recipe for Busy Moms!

Valentine’s Day is just a week away, and while Valentine’s last year may have had many of us making dinner reservations, booking weekend escapes, and other elaborate plans, this year Valentine’s Day is going to be quieter, simpler, and (no surprise) done at home! Not sure how to make it special? Read some of our tips below, and consider this easy and delicious combination of quick gourmet recipes you can whip up and make it seem like you’re dining out on the town!

Main

Simple Roasted Chicken

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken

1 tbsp paprika

½ tbsp salt

½ tbsp black pepper

1 bunch rosemary (chopped, save for 1 sprig)

1 stick unsalted butter

1 white onion (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees celsius

2. Mix the paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl

3. Wash the chicken and pat dry with paper towels

4. Rub the exterior of the chicken with the spice mix. (You don’t have to use the entire mix, just enough to make sure every part of the chicken is covered. Excess rub can be stored and used another day).

5. Place a sprig of rosemary inside the chicken.

6. Bake in a roasting pan or pyrex container for 60 minutes

7. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, put in the onion and remaining rosemary.  and then the butter. Melt the butter to slowly soften the onions. Once the butter has completely melted, pour the mixture over the chicken and immediately return to the oven for another 30-40 minutes.

8. Carve and serve with potatoes, light pasta, or rice.

Side

Blue Cheese Pasta

Ingredients

1 stick butter

50-75grams blue cheese

500grams pasta

1/3cup cooking cream

Instructions:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, put in the pasta.

2. In a large saucepan, begin melting the butter. As it melts, crumble in the blue cheese.

3. Once the cheese begins melting, pour in the cream, stirring constantly.

4. When the pasta is cooked, drain the pasta and place in a pyrex or large bowl.

5. Pour in the blue cheese mixture, and mix to make sure the pasta is well coated.

6. Serve as either a main dish or side dish.

 

Ready to impress with your Valentine’s meal? Do even more and turn it into a real date! Check out our tips and tricks for dating at home below!

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About the writer

An avid home cook, Rachel Kelly Davis has been a published writer since the age of 14, often writing features, essays, and cover pieces. In 2016 she started writing poetry, leaving index cards of her poems all over the world and posting the photos she is sent by the people who find them. She has worked in communications for over a decade, wearing various hats ranging from digital marketing and SEO practitioner, brand strategist, and investor relations officer. Most recently she was the Associate Vice President for Customer Experience (Public Affairs) at WSP Inc., a public relations company based in the Philippines. Currently she is happily raising 5-year-old Valentina and 2-month old Levi Grey while taking charge of Mommy Mundo’s web content. Find her and more of her recipes on Instagram @arkaydee