Valentine’s Day is the ultimate excuse for wining and dining, with decadent cream sauces and death threats from chocolate desserts. But if a heavy meal doesn’t line up with your health goals or budget, there’s no reason to splurge on a pricey prix fixe. Ditch the reservations and make your own dinner at home. These simple and sexy recipes cut the calories while keeping all the class. The best part: You’ll leave the dinner table feeling a little lighter—so you’re not too full to get cozy with your sweetheart.
CRAB SALAD IN ENDIVE LEAVES
Make it feel like a special occasion with a fancy shellfish starter. This simple crab salad comes together quickly and is easy to pile on pretty endive leaves. Ask for quality lump crab meat at the fish counter. If it’s not available, you can substitute bay shrimp.
STEAK WITH MUSHROOMS & RED WINE
Get primal with a beautiful steak. Opt for strip and sirloin, which are among the leaner cuts, or ask your butcher for a recommendation. Instead of dousing the meat in butter or cream, layer in flavor with mushrooms and red wine. Serve it with whipped cauliflower, a surprisingly luxurious side that sneaks some more veggies onto your plate.
YOGURT PANNA COTTA WITH POMEGRANATE & CHOCOLATE
Move over, chocolate mousse. This pudding is creamy, dreamy, and a superfood triple threat, featuring tangy Greek yogurt, juicy pomegranate seeds, and shaved dark chocolate. Panna cotta is an impressive but deceptively simple restaurant trick; quick to whisk on the stove, easy to make ahead and let chill for a day or two. Once you realize what a snap it is to make at home, you may never bother ordering it again.
Tender fish, lean steak, fresh fruit, and dark chocolate are all considered classic and romantic. But no matter what you cook up this Valentine’s Day, remember, it’s all about picking healthy ingredients and letting them shine. Seared salmon, roast chicken, and chocolate-dipped strawberries could be equally delicious.
What are you planning to eat on Valentine’s Day? Join the conversation below.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Becky Duffett
Becky Duffett is a contributing nutrition editor for Fitbit and a lifestyle writer with a passion for eating well. A former Williams-Sonoma cookbook editor and graduate of San Francisco Cooking School, she’s edited dozens of cookbooks and countless recipes. City living has turned her into a spin addict—but she’d still rather be riding a horse. She lives in the cutest neighborhood in San Francisco, spending weekends at the farmers’ market, trying to read at the bakery, and roasting big dinners for friends.
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