Creating the perfect menu plan for the most romantic day of the year!
Who needs a fancy restaurant when you have romantic Valentine’s Day recipes of your own? Plus, by preparing your own Valentine’s meal, you get control over the nutritional content! Each of the delicious heart-healthy Valentine’s day recipes below contain ingredients that manage cholesterol and keep your blood vessels clear. What better day to look after your heart than on Valentine’s Day?
Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day Recipes for Two!
Start the day off right with any of these sweet and nutritious breakfasts.
Romantic Chocolate Raspberry Pancakes
Hello, decadence! These gorgeous and sweet, chocolate raspberry pancakes are even more scrumptious than they look. If your Valentine has a sweet tooth, this recipe is sure to hit the spot!
Try it:Romantic Chocolate Raspberry Pancakes
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Steel-Cut Oatmeal
This alternative oatmeal recipe gives you fiber and antioxidants. (And chocolate in the morning!)
Here’s the recipe:Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Breakfast Yogurt Parfait
What’s sexier than parfait? By choosing a granola with plenty of oats and nuts and adding blueberries as a fruit component, you’ll make this a low-fat and heart-healthy breakfast to enjoy with your Valentine.
Give it a try:Breakfast Yogurt Parfait in a Jar
How about a Lunch Date?
Here are some light lunch ideas that are perfect for a Valentine’s day lunch date!
Tortellini Pasta Salad
There’s something about Italian-inspired food and Valentine’s Day that just feels right! And once you try this light yet satisfying pasta salad, you’ll understand why!
This recipe makes several portions at just under 300 calories a piece. Serve up one serving (or two.. treat yourself!) for lunch, and enjoy the leftovers the following day!
Try it:Tortellini Pasta Salad
Greek Rice Stuffed Peppers
This lunch recipe packs in fiber with brown rice, peppers, and carrots. Brown rice also contains niacin, a B vitamin that boosts HDL, otherwise known as the good cholesterol. Carrots deliver carotene, an antioxidant that promotes clean blood vessels. Choose red bell peppers for a big dose of carotene and lutein.
To make for two, simply use two large peppers and reduce other ingredients by about 2/3.
Make this recipe:Greek Rice Stuffed Peppers
Grilled Chicken and Blueberry Salad
This blueberry chicken salad combines lean protein with fiber-filled vegetables and fruit. Using baby spinach for the greens will pack in the lutein, folate, and fiber. Along with blueberries and slivered almonds, this recipe helps check cholesterol and keep your vessels healthy.
Halve the recipe for two portions.
Make it:Grilled Chicken and Blueberry Salad
Romantic Dinner Ideas
Celebrate a romantic night in with one of these elegant dishes!
Gluten-Free Chicken Scampi
We’ve put our own twist on traditional scampi by using chicken instead of shrimp. Of course you can still use shrimp if you prefer! Anyway, this pasta dish is a wonderful (and healthy) way to celebrate this romantic holiday!
There’s plenty here for a hearty meal for two, and if you’re lucky, you may even get to enjoy some leftovers!
Try it:Gluten-Free Chicken Scampi
Spicy Grilled Tofu with Szechuan Vegetables
Perfect for the vegetarian or tofu-loving couple. Tofu contains niacin and folate, along with other nutrients important for heart health including potassium and magnesium. Red bell peppers bring antioxidants to the dish.
Halve this recipe for two portions.
Give it a try:Spicy Grilled Tofu with Szechuan Vegetables
Dessert for Two!
It’s not really Valentine’s day until you satisfy that sweet tooth!
Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
Skipping store bought chocolates and making your own mouth watering truffles at home is a guaranteed way to impress your date! Not only will it show how much you care by the effort you put in, but the flavor of these pretty little morsels is simply incredible!
Make these tasty morsels:Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
Slow Cooker Chocolate Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce
This bread pudding allows lovers with a sweet tooth to indulge while being good to their hearts. Dark chocolate contains cocoa phenols and resveratrol, two powerful antioxidants that help keep your vessels clear. Include walnuts and almond milk to maximize heart-healthiness.
Give it a try:Slow Cooker Chocolate Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce
Enjoyed the read? Check out more:
- Easy Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Over Quinoa
- Heart-Healthy Meal Plan
- Clean Eating Raspberry Oat Bars
Which one of these heart-healthy valentine’s day recipes are you most looking forward to making? Let us know in the comment section!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on February 6, 2014.
