For Valentine’s Day I wanted to do something special not only for my hubby, but also for all of my wonderful readers. I don’t know how much you spend when you go out for a fancy, romantic meal for two, but I do know it’s not cheap…it’s not unheard of to spend upwards of $100. When you can make your own fancy meal in about an hour for about a quarter of the price in the comfort of your own home, and at the same time do something special for your significant other, I think it’s definitely a win-win situation! :)
I decided to make a lovely romantic meal complete with drinks, a salad course, a pasta course, a meat course, and a dessert all for around $25 (the total came to $25.54, to be exact). In the cost of the meal I included the cost of all unique items that need to be purchased (even though in a few cases we won’t use the entire quantity that we purchase – take the sundried tomatoes for example…we’re buying a small jar and only using 1/4 cup); however, I didn’t include the cost of pantry staples, such as oil, salt, pepper, honey, etc. I based all prices on the cost at my local grocery store.
My menu and shopping list (including prices) are below to whet your appetite. I’ll be making and posting the dishes this week so you’ll have all the recipes well before Valentine’s Day. ;)
Also, be sure to check out All Through the Year Cheer…the very sweet Brandy is hosting our All Through the Year Cheer Valentine’s Day event!
Strawberry Spritzers
Savory Strawberry Salad
(Goat cheese, walnuts, strawberries, & caramelized onion dressing on lettuce)
Blush Pasta
(Fettuccine tossed with goat cheese, caramelized onions, walnuts, & tomato-cream sauce)
Individual Beef Roulades
(With goat cheese, caramelized onion, & sundried tomato)
Dark Chocolate Mousse
Shopping List & Prices:
1 liter sparkling strawberry water (for drink)…$.79
1 pint strawberries (for drink, salad, dessert garnish)…$3.99
4 oz goat cheese (for salad, pasta, beef)…$3.49
1 very large yellow onion (for salad dressing, pasta, beef)…$.99
1/2 c walnuts, from the bulk bin (for salad, pasta)…$.75
1 lb fettuccine pasta noodles – you’ll use about 1/3 lb (for pasta)…$1.39
1 small jar oil-marinated sundried tomatoes – you’ll use 1/4 cup (for beef)…$3.99
2 thin-sliced beef cutlets (about 1/2 lb) (for beef)…$ 2.50
1 small head red or green leaf lettuce (for salad)…$.99
1 small jar tomato sauce – you’ll use 3/4 cup (for pasta)…$.99
1 c heavy cream – you’ll use 3/4 cup (for pasta, mousse)…$1.49
7 oz plain Greek yogurt (for mousse)…$1.59
1 (3.5 oz) good quality semi-sweet chocolate bar; I like 60% cacao (for mousse)…$2.59
Total: $25.54
Awesome! This is a great idea. I will be in Houston that weekend and fly in the evening of Valentine’s, so I am not sure if my husband and I are going to feel up to fighting crowds in a restaurant after that… maybe a cozy – and CHEAP! – dinner at home will be a good compromise! =)
I also want to ask, if I try any of your stuff and like it, can I post it on my site? I would totally hyperlink it to yours so you’d get all the credit. But I wanted to ask first!
Sounds good and I’m impressed with the $25 price tag!
~ingrid
Emily, Thank you so much! I’m flattered that you’re thinking of making some of my recipes! Of course you can post them and link back to me! :)
This menu sounds fantastic! Can’t wait to see the recipes and photos…
Thanks for the great menu idea, as well as the cost break-down! We’re all on tighter budgets these days, so having a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home is a more attractive option! Who has the time or money to wait in a crowded restaurant for a $$$ meal? I’d much rather your menu, minus the goat cheese :)
Looks great!
And just FYI, I made your Coffee Spice cupcakes in cake form I need to try them again when I have all the ingredients (ahem, ahem, turkish coffee and cardamom), but it turned out quite well!
Thanks for the recipe!
http://eatrunread.blogspot.com/
You’re so wise! :) I can’t wait to see the tomato-cream sauce recipe, sounds delicious!
WOW, I love the prices at your grocery store!!! And the menu sounds really delicious. I was debating what to cook for Valentine’s Day just yesterday, so this menu gave a lot of inspiration. Thanks!
That sounds fancier than any restaurant meal! Wow!
Sounds very exciting. Can’t wait to see your recipes. That will give me some ideas. Otherwise I will only serve my haert-shaped pikelets with condensed milk :D
What a fabulous menu! Caramelized onions and goat cheese – oh my!
What a brilliant idea Faith! We never go out for Valentines Day adn always stay in and this menu definitely makes the stay at home option sound very appetising! :D
I am so excited to see these recipes come to life! You have a lot of work ahead of you, but it will be so worth it. how many days until the reveal of that blush pasta? What a fab idea for a post, very creative!
Oh you clever girl you, your menu sounds divine and I cannot wait to see all of your fabulous creations and get my hands on the recipes!
Love and hugs to you sweet friend!
This is such a great idea. We have been doing this with a small group of friends for a number of years for both New Years Eve and Valentine’s day. You don’t have to deal with drunk drivers and the meal you get at home is far superior to the one you could buy. Can’t wait to see your photos and recipes.
Mimi
Wow. Can I intrude your romantic meal? It sounds fabulous!
I am loving this. I can’t wait to see all of the recipes!
Very smart to have goat cheese connect all of the dishes to each other. I bet this will taste better and be more fun than any $100 meal!
Brilliant idea to do this menu…. great food for a bad economy… and the best part is it feels luxurious!!!
Love your idea! And the menu. But I must say, your Valentine card takes the prize!
I feel extra accomplished when I get a gorgeous meal out with a price tag that does make me scrimp on the shopping! :)
What a great idea! Love the menu :)
Your menu sounds absolutely scrumptious. And amazing that you could do it for $25! Bravo.
Love evrything valentines n this v-day meal sounds real good….
LOVE IS IN THE AIR AND SO IS ROMANCE…WISH U LOADS OF IT @ 365
Oh, i totally forgot about V-day. Yikes with my sisters wedding, hubby’s b-day, and my little guy turning two i completely forgot. This looks amazing. I might be lazy this year and use a gift card i got for Christmas and go get some Italian. However if i want to skip the fee of a 2 hour babysitter i may opt out and make this…sure looks good.
I love your new blog! So classy.
Nice vday menu. I still don’t know what we’re doing vday.
An excellent menu and I can’t believe it’s only $25, awesome!
Mmm! Will you come over and make me a Valentine meal too?! Ooh and the Dark Chocolate Mousse!! Heavenly! Can’t wait to see everything!
What a wonderful idea to celebrate Valentine’s day with a delicious meal but not spending too much :)
Now, I need to find a partner who want to have a Valentine’s dinner with me, hehehe…
All that use of goat cheese is making me VERY happy :)
Sounds like you have a really fabulous meal planned for your sweetie! I haven’t planned our meal but my hubby loves French Silk pie and I’ve never made him one in the 10 years we’ve been married so I decided this Valentine’s Day was the time! I also made him some homemade cherry cordials (his favorite) and I’m waiting on the middles to liquify (it apparently takes two weeks) before I take pics and post the recipe for the All Through The Year Cheer thing. I hope they turn out!
Veronica, Those homemade cherry cordials sound incredible!