As the saying goes, ‘Roses are red, violets are blue, we’ve got make-ahead Valentine’s Day recipes just for you!’ Or something like that...
After a long day at work, it can be hard to find the time (or energy) to cook a romantic dinner for two. Luckily, a bit of pre-planning can help minimise the stress and maximise the fun!
We’ve put together our favourite cocktails, canapés, dinners and desserts that you can either freeze or prep a few days ahead. Just add a romantic playlist, some candles (don’t forget to check out Ginny’s tips for easy tablescaping!) and your perfect Valentine’s scene is set!
Lovely love potions (aka cute cocktails)
Kick things off with this vibrant twist on a cocktail legend. We’re talking the classic margarita, spiked with a swirl of strawberry jam! Double the recipe, pop it in the fridge overnight, then serve with plenty of ice.
Simple, elegant and pleasingly pink in colour, this elderflower lemonade is a lovely booze-free option. You can make it ahead, bar the sparkling water, ready to finish on the night with some pretty frozen berries.
Cupid’s canapés
It’ll be love at first bite with these easy cheesy Welsh cakes. The cooked cakes are perfect for freezing, or you can serve them straight away with your favourite topping – pickled red cabbage & apple with Stilton would be our pick!
They can’t fail to fall in love once they’ve tasted this impressive canapé of crispy Yorkshire puds and creamy smoked trout – a match made in heaven! Make and freeze your Yorkies ahead of time, whip up the pâté on the day and serve it all with lots of lemon wedges.
Embrace the Valentine’s Day cheese with these beautiful little puffs. They can be cooked from frozen and are delicious served warm with a glass of something cold – big win!
Divine dinners
Put the heart in hearty with this showstopping beef Bourguignon. Tender beef cheek, smoky bacon and loads of veggies are slow-cooked to perfection with a (very large) dash of red wine, giving you a batch-cook dish that’s ideal for freezing. So good!
Get ready to Netflix and chilli with this warming veggie dish. It’s full of the good stuff – aka sweet potatoes, black beans and rich tomatoes. Hosting a vegan? Then simply leave out the feta.
Treat yourself and a loved one to a dinner-for-two that looks fancy but is actually super easy. These juicy, garlic butter-stuffed Kyivs can be made in advance and frozen – and at least if both of you have eaten them, you’ll both be just as garlicky!
Take things up a notch with this rich, romantic ragù. Slow-cooking the beef cheeks gives the sauce an incredible depth of flavour – perfect for impressing your Valentine. Make a batch and freeze the rest for when they come back for more (dates!).
Embrace a veggie take on the classic carbonara with Jamie’s delicious leek version. Buttery slow-cooked leeks are combined with Parmesan (or vegetarian hard cheese) and egg for the smoothest, silkiest sauce imaginable. Delicious with a chilled white wine.
Dreamy desserts
Let’s face it, nothing says romance quite like a decadent choccy dessert – and we reckon Jools’ favourite pud does the trick! Make the mixture the day before, divide between coffee cups or ramekins and cover, ready to bake on the big day. Lovely topped with chocolate shavings, fresh fruit or a dollop of crème fraîche.
Fancy something fruity? These easy granita puds have your name written all over them. There are plenty of combos to choose from, but we’re going for cherry or strawberry for our Valentine’s Day recipe. Serve with dairy-free yoghurt, cream or custard for the vegan in your life.
The perfect dessert for someone you’re, ahem, bananas about. Bigging up dark chocolate, bananas, cream cheese, dulce de leche and the humble Hobnob, this 5-ingredient frozen cheesecake looks as good as it tastes and is brilliant for making ahead of time.
If you’ve still got room, it doesn’t get much simpler (or more delicious) than Jamie’s fave combo. You’ve got pops of sweetness from the grapes, a smooth richness from the chocolate and plenty of fiery flavour from the grappa. Give it a go!
Hungry for more? We have loads more freezer recipes and tips.
