Why risk yet another dinner out at a restaurant? Make something homemade for your lover! (Photo source: The Telegraph)

Hello everyone, Sean here. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and hordes of love-struck people everywhere are scrambling, trying to find an appropriately romantic gift for their significant other. Perhaps you’re in the same boat. A pretty traditional—some might say tired—option is to take your partner out for a delicious, romantic meal. You could do that. It’s not going to win any originality points, but it is traditional for a reason. However, I want to suggest that you take a different approach, and consider doing something even more romantic for the one you love: cooking the delicious, romantic meal yourself.

“Usually, one’s cooking is better than one thinks it is.”

–Julia Child

Now, I know what you are thinking: “Sean, I can’t possibly do that. I burn toast. I mess up boiling water. I certainly can’t make anything exotic like Indian food. If I cook for my one-and-only, they’ll likely leave me.” I assume you’re exaggerating, of course, but I understand the concern. But here’s the thing. You have secret weapon in your quest to surprise and dazzle your lover: Big Apple Curry. We’ve got your back. We’ve got two suggested Valentine’s Day meals below, one basic–but still delicious and impressive–for those of you intimidated by cooking; and another for those of you who are old hats in the kitchen.

“Eating is so intimate. It’s very sensual. When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you’re inviting a person into your life.”

–Maya Angelou

You can also find lots of other recipes and menu ideas on Big Apple Curry, including vegan and vegetarian options. We’re sure your significant others will love either meal, and love you even more for taking such a hands-on approach to giving them a truly memorable Valentine’s Day.

BASIC SKILL LEVEL: OMG, I don’t know how to cook, but I want to surprise my sweetheart. What should I make?

Salmon Tikka over Oven-Roasted Honey Gold Potatoes, Purple Cauliflower, and Sweet Garden Peas

Easy and simple to make yet wonderfully impressive

Make our Salmon Tikka over Oven-roasted Honey Gold Potatoes, Purple Cauliflower and Sweet Garden Peas. It’s delicious, colorful, and, most importantly, extremely easy to make. Luscious salmon is brushed with a homemade paste that is sweet and spicy, which is the perfect match for earthy roasted potatoes dotted with bits of caramelized cauliflower and sweet garden peas. It’ll impress the socks off your date without sending you into a cooking panic attack:

1. One-stop shopping. You can find all the ingredients easily in any supermarket
2. Making salmon at home is impressive. There is an elegance about making salmon that will get you high marks — make sure you buy good quality salmon fillets
3. The preparation is easy and you won’t get stuck in the kitchen forever. Three things: i) the vegetables go in the oven (who doesn’t like oven-roasted anything?); ii) you whisk together the paste for the salmon in a small bowl (use a fork if you don’t own a whisk); and iii) after brushing the salmon slices, you only have to cook them for a minute on each side — for this you will need a non-stick skillet or frying pan.

You can find the recipe here. Pair it with a nice Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris (or, if you’re a beer lover like me, go for a nice Trippel like Unibroue’s La Fin du Monde) and you’re off to the races.

ADVANCED SKILL LEVEL: I’m a pro in the kitchen and I want to impress my sweetheart with something totally different. What should I make?

Lamb Biryani with Saffron Yogurt Sauce

India’s Ultimate Rice Dish fit for your king or queen: Lamb Biryani with Saffron Yogurt Sauce

If you’re up for the challenge, and willing to make the time investment, you can’t really do better than our Lamb Biryani, which is a meal fit for a king or queen. This dish is looks deceptively simple, but it is anything but. There are incredible layers of flavor: a beautiful mix of fragrant rice laden with spices like cinnamon and turmeric, tender boneless lamb, and a rich saffron yogurt sauce. Lamb biryani is without a doubt, one of my favorite meals ever, and I cannot imagine your sweetheart won’t love it as well:

1. Indian grocer. This recipe definitely requires planning in advance and a trip to your local Indian gourmet shop or grocer to acquire a wide range of spices for different layers of this dish.
2. Timing. You need to commit a few hours to getting this dish right; even if you’re a pro in the kitchen if you’ve never made biryani before, you will need to approach it in stages so you get all the elements right (for example, it’s easy to overcook the rice even by a few minutes). If you decide to make this the day before and then reheat it the next day (this dish does reheat well), you need to plan for it to be in the oven for at least one hour before serving it.
3. Saffron sauce. Need I say more?

You will find the recipe here. A Pinot Gris will serve you well; so would a Gamay. Or grab your favorite IPA, which would be my recommendation.

Good luck! Your efforts in the kitchen will impress your sweetheart, this Valentine’s dinner will be a big hit, and the evening will be one to remember. If you have questions or need help, just post a comment below.