Because this holiday is about cooking for the one that you love the most!
If you’re single this winter, don’t let Valentine’s Day bring you down. This holiday is all about celebrating love in all its forms, including the love you have for your closest friends, beloved family, and, of course, your fabulous self.
Plus, being single is great.
You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, and there’s no one you need to compromise with or meet halfway on any particular decision – especially in the kitchen. Making plans is easy because you’re the only person calling the shots, and the company is great because it’s your fine self.
Now that sounds like the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner to me.
Whether you’re savouring a solo Valentine’s Day or simply treating yourself to an intimate dinner, these three single-serving recipes are guaranteed to make your heart and taste buds happy.
Chickpea and Kale Salad for One
Start your evening with this chickpea and kale salad that offers a burst of flavours with vibrant veggies and a zesty dressing. It’s so delicious you’ll forget it’s all vegetables. Perfect for a romantic and wholesome Valentine’s Day for one!
Ingredients:
1 cup of kale
¼ cup of canned chickpeas
6 cherry tomatoes
1 ¼ cucumber
¼ red bell pepper
1 tablespoon of red onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of crumbled feta cheese
½ tablespoon of olive oil
½ tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
¼ teaspoon of Dijon mustard
½ tablespoon sunflower seeds
Salt and black pepper
Instructions:
1. Remove the stems from the kale leaves and finely chop the leaves.
2. Place the chopped kale in a bowl.
3. Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas.
4. Add the chickpeas to the bowl.
3. Chop the cherry tomatoes into halves.
4. Dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion.
6. Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and feta cheese to the bowl.
7. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
8. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients, and toss until well coated.
9. Sprinkle sunflower seeds on top for added crunch.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites for One
Continue your evening with these garlic butter steak bites, a delectable main course for one, featuring bite-sized steak bits seared to perfection, tossed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce, and garnished with fresh rosemary and parsley. You can even pair these garlic butter steak bites with creamy mashed potatoes!
Ingredients:
3 ounces of steak
½ tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
1 minced garlic clove
Fresh, finely chopped rosemary
Fresh, chopped parsley
Salt and black pepper
Instructions:
1. Pat the steak dry with paper towel to remove excess moisture, and cut it into bite-sized cubes.
2. Season the steak with salt and black pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and add the steak bites, making sure they are in a single layer for even searing.
4. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.
5. Remove the steak bites from the skillet, and set them aside on a plate.
6. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and add the butter, minced garlic, and chopped rosemary.
7. Stir and cook for 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and the butter melts.
8. Return the seared steak bites to the skillet, tossing them in the garlic butter sauce to coat evenly.
9. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, ensuring the steak is heated through and absorbs the flavours of the garlic butter sauce.
10. Garnish the steak bites with fresh, chopped parsley.
Nutella Mug Cake for One
Now don’t forget dessert! Treat yourself to a solo indulgence with this Nutella mug cake, a swift, delightful finale crowned with a sprinkle of powdered icing sugar.
Dry Ingredients:
4 tablespoons of flour
2 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
½ teaspoon of baking powder
Pinch of salt
Powdered icing sugar
Wet Ingredients:
1 ½ tablespoons of Nutella
5 tablespoons of milk
1 tablespoon of oil
¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt.
2. Add the milk, oil, vanilla extract, and Nutella.
3. Mix well.
4. Transfer the batter into a mug. The batter shouldn’t reach any higher than 3 quarters of your mug. If it does, consider dividing your batter between 2 mugs.
5. Place the mug in the microwave and microwave for 1 minute and 20 seconds.
6. Dust the top with powdered icing sugar.
So this Valentine’s Day, enjoy the company of the most important person in your life: none other than your fabulous self.
Happy Valentine’s Day, and cheers to you, the incredible person who deserves all the love and happiness in the world!
The Lilac Blog 