There’s nothing worse than realizing Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and you haven’t scored a dinner reservation.
But really, in this economy, that might not be the move. Nothing says “I love you” like a home-cooked meal or sweet treat for those you love. If you’re stressing about Saturday night plans, The Journal’s got you covered. Whether for a sweetheart, situationship, or cherished group of friends, these recipes are sure to succeed. As a bonus, all of these recipes are student budget friendly.
Shakshuka
For a vegetarian treat, this tomato-and-egg dish originated in North Africa is perfect for a snowy evening—or morning. Recipes differ online, but for my version, all you need is a can of whole tomatoes, two-to-three eggs per person, olive oil, a handful of cilantro, one yellow onion, four cloves of garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and any seasoning you like.
Dice and brown the onion and garlic in a large saucepan over medium heat with about three tablespoons of olive oil, until fragrant, but be careful not to burn the garlic! Add in the entire can of tomatoes and juices, and use a spoon to mash each tomato into large chunks. Add in the red pepper flakes and any other spices you like (I’d recommend cumin and turmeric).
Bring the heat up until the mixture begins to bubble, not boil. Create small, individual wells in the stew for the eggs, cracking them one at a time. Cover the saucepan with a lid and leave the eggs to poach for about seven to eight minutes, depending on how hard you like them.
When the eggs are cooked, season with salt and pepper and top with chopped cilantro. Serve in bowls while it’s hot and enjoy. For an extra touch, consider serving with a toasted baguette.
“Marry Me” Butter Beans
You might have heard of “marry me” chicken pasta from TikTok. But since we all need to eat more fibre, how about swapping for some buttery beans? If you’re on a gym grind, you can always add some more protein, but this dish is incredible on its own.
For this recipe, you’ll need olive oil, spices to taste, three cloves of garlic, one can of butter beans, a handful of cherry tomatoes, a bag of spinach, some heavy cream, and lemon. Start by browning the garlic in two tablespoons of olive oil using a large saucepan, then drain and wash the beans before adding.
On medium heat, add the whole cherry tomatoes and spices to the mix, letting them simmer in the oil until they begin to wilt. Pop them one by one using a spoon so their juices combine with the sauce. Add in half a cup of heavy cream and the spinach and stir the whole mixture until combined.
Let the dish simmer on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes before squeezing in half a lemon. Salt and pepper to taste and serve in bowls! This dish also pairs well with warm, crusty bread.
Modified Cream Cheese Valentine’s Cookies
If you’re a procrastinator like me, you may have left dessert plans to the last minute, along with dinner arrangements. At this point, you may be tempted to throw some store-bought cookie dough on a sheet and call it a day.
But there’s a better way—and a more delicious one. If you’re a fan of cream cheese in baking. Pick up a roll of ready-made cookie dough. Around this time of year, it’s easy to find some with festive sprinkles or chocolate chips. You can also make cookie dough at home if you’re a purist.
Pick up a block of cream cheese as well. On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, flatten one cookie serving, making a small divot in the middle. Add a dollop of cream cheese, and top with another flattened single serving of cookie dough. Smooth the edges so the cream cheese is totally hidden in the middle, and so that the dough maintains a spherical shape.
Repeat for as many cookies as you want and bake according to package instructions. Serve hot, and enjoy a gooey, sweet treat.
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One final note: These are only a few of the many recipes you can try this holiday. Another way to connect with family and friends is to call them and ask for suggestions. They may have some sweet suggestions, bringing you closer through cooking, even if you can’t spend Valentine’s together this year.
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Cooking, recipes, valentine's day
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