Best Valentine’s Day Dinner Recipes for a Hearty Celebration

You don't have to break the bank dining out at a fancy restaurant to celebrate Valentine's Day. There's actually something wonderfully intimate and special about creating a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home. Not only does it allow for a personal touch to the dishes, but it also creates the opportunity to tailor the menu according to you and your loved one's unique preferences. So this Valentine's Day, why not impress your special someone with your culinary skills? Create an unforgettable dining experience with the best Valentines recipes, right in your own kitchen.

3 Best Valentines Recipes to Show Your Love

There's no better way to show your love and appreciation on Valentine's Day than by whipping up a delicious meal you can enjoy with your loved ones. Whether you're celebrating with a new flame, spending the special day with a long-time love, or simply want to treat your loved ones, friends and family included, these best Valentines Day dinner recipes are sure to impress.

Crispy Baked Potato Roses with Ham

• 8 slices Buddig Premium Deli Smoked Ham, sliced into approximately 1.5" wide strips
• 4 potatoes (about 2-2½" across), halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp  salt
• fresh thyme
• parmesan cheese, grated

• Preheat your oven to 400˚F.
• Use a mandolin and a hand guard and slice the potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Make sure to slice the ingredients thinly (no more than 2-3mm) to prevent cracking and breaking.
• In the bowl, add olive oil, pepper, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and salt to the sliced potatoes. Toss everything together using tongs until the potatoes are evenly coated.
• Take three pieces of ham and lay them vertically on a cutting board, overlapping each other.
• Line the ham with the sliced potatoes, making sure each potato overlaps.
• Starting from one end, gently roll up the ham, creating a beautiful potato rose.
• Place the rolled potatoes in a greased muffin tin. Repeat the process with the rest of the ham strips and potatoes.
• Bake the potato roses for 20 minutes. Then, cover them with tin foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
• Finally, top the potato roses with thyme and parmesan. Bake them uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes until crispy.

Spicy Vodka Pasta with Smoked Ham

• 2 cups chopped Buddig Premium Deli Smoked Ham
• 12 oz rigatoni
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• ⅔ cup Greek yogurt
• ⅔ cup grated parmesan
• ½ cup tomato paste
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup vodka
• 2 medium shallots, diced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp salt

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package.
• In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil and add diced shallots. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, then add garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes to enhance the flavors.
• Pour in vodka and simmer until most of the liquid has cooked off.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together plain Greek yogurt with half a cup of warm water, then add it to the pan and mix well.
• Add Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and salt. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes. You can either leave it as is or blend it until smooth.
• Stir in the cooked pasta, ham, and chopped kale. Allow the kale to wilt over low heat for 1-2 minutes
• Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes.

Ham and Caramel Brownies

• 2 oz Buddig Original Honey Ham, chopped
• 14 oz caster sugar
• 10 ½ oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 10 ½ oz unsalted butter, softened and cut into small pieces plus extra for greasing
• 9 oz caramel sauce
• 5 oz plain flour
• 2 oz dark unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 oz light brown sugar
• 5 eggs at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp baking powder

• Preheat your oven to 356°F.
• In a bowl, mix the ham and brown sugar until the ham is well coated.
• Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper and place the ham slices on the tray. Bake in the oven for about 5 minutes or until crisp. Remove from the oven and let the ham cool down. Chop it into large chunks.
• Butter the sides and bottom of a shallow baking tray measuring 300x200mm. Line the tray with greaseproof paper and grease it with butter again.
• In a medium bowl, sift the flour and cocoa powder. Add the salt and baking powder, then set aside.
• Place the chocolate and butter in a large bowl over hot boiling water. Stir until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and smooth.
• In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold half of the melted chocolate into the egg mixture, then repeat with the other half.
• Gently fold the flour mixture into the chocolate batter, carefully incorporating the two until just a small amount of the flour mix is visible.
• Transfer the batter into the prepared baking tray and smooth it out into an even layer.
• Drizzle caramel sauce around the brownie and sprinkle the crispy ham pieces all over the top.
• Bake in the center of the oven for 27 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through baking. Insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies; it should come out clean.
• Allow the brownies to cool, then take them out of the tray by holding the greaseproof paper. Cut and serve.
• Store the brownies at room temperature in an airtight container or wrap them with cling film for up to 3 days.

Spread the Love with Buddig

Armed with the best Valentines dinner recipes, you can make this day truly special for your significant other. Don't forget to add a romantic touch to your dinner by decorating. Candles, flower petals, heart-shaped confetti, and red and pink accents can create a cozy and intimate atmosphere that's perfect for a romantic Valentine's Day celebration.

Don't have a significant other? No problem! Celebrate this day with your friends, family, or even by yourself. Show some love and appreciation to those who hold a special place in your heart. And of course, don't forget to treat yourself to some delicious ham dishes with Buddig—you deserve it.

Ready to cook up some love with Buddig? Find the nearest store to pick up the ingredients you need for the best Valentines recipes. Visit our store locator and make this Valentine's Day deliciously unforgettable!