There are many ways to say “I love you” on February 14th, but our favorite way is through food: a cozy table setting, a glass of wine full of promises and a line-up of dishes – all made with love and goodwill. In Italy, we don’t cook just to eat; we cook in order to demonstrate our love, to take care of one another and to enjoy the present moment and all it has to offer with those that matter. And on an evening celebrating love like Valentine’s Day, time really does stop and nothing else matters. At least for one night.
To help us celebrate such a magic moment, we asked for a little help from our favorite ingredients: more specifically, the special ingredients we buy only for special occasions and rarely use. But for Valentine’s Day? Definitely worth it. So without further ado, here is our selection of recipes with our favorite ingredients to choose from: start off with the perfect oyster appetizer of your choosing followed by a light yet rich course made from scampi or shrimp (we suggest pasta, risottos, soups and many more). Then go for a second course with truffles, a uniquely rich gem of Italian cuisine – meant to accompany fish, vegetables or even white meat. And finally, to finish your Valentine’s Day menu, we have plenty of suggestions for the perfect dessert – to be eaten by the spoonful. Once dinner is over, make an espresso or pour a digestif with myrtle leaves. Or have a glass of limoncello to end the evening like a true Italian. Ah, how beautiful are the flavors of love!