Preparing a nice romantic dinner for Valentine's Day is a great way to show your spouse or partner how much you love and appreciate them. It is also a nice way to spend some quality time together as a couple. And by preparing healthy dishes, you show your loved one that you care about their health and wellbeing as well. So this year, replace a fat-laden meal with a lighter, yet flavorful and satisfying meal.
Start the evening with a bowl of soup. Since it's still cold outside in most parts of the country, a hot bowl of soup is always welcome. You can purchase a low-sodium vegetable soup, or make your own by gently simmering some fresh veggies in some low-sodium chicken broth.
For the main case, choose a lean piece of meat or fish and bake it. For example, rub some olive oil, garlic and fresh rosemary on boneless, skinless chicken breast and bake it. Or wrap a piece of fresh salmon in aluminum foil along with some lemon slices and dill. Bake it until the fish is done. If it's warm enough outside, you could also grill a beef filet or some lean flank steak outside. Add a fresh salad or some steamed veggies and some wild rice to round off the main course.
If you are planning on serving alcohol with your Valentine's Day dinner, go with a nice bottle of red wine. Enjoyed in moderation, red wine has been shown to have some health benefits. Red wine contains flavonoid phenolics, antioxidants that are good for your heart. Studies have also shown that red wine reduces bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol.
Of course no romantic meal would be complete without dessert. Something simple with some fresh fruit should to the trick. You can cover strawberries in some melted dark chocolate. If you prefer a frozen dessert, how about a fresh fruit sorbet? You can also make a berry parfait with chunks of angle food cake, low calorie whipped topping and an assortment of fresh berries.
With the menu planned, all that's left is to turn on some soft music, set the table and of course light a few candles. Happy Valentine's Day!
