According to the old English proverb, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.  Most will agree that cooking for a man is a great way to win his affections and show him you care (I mean, look at this couple – don’t they look HAPPY??!).  Should you choose to cook for (or even better, with) your loved one this Valentine’s Day, here are three of my favorite recipes for cooking an elegant dinner… and they won’t break the bank!

1.  Giada’s Chicken in Lemon Cream Sauce.  When I discovered ‘gobetti,’ a type of pasta offered in her Target product line, I spied this recipe on the back of the box and was intrigued.  Having watched her for years on the Food Network, I knew it had to be better than your average back-of-the-box recipe, and I was right.  This has great flavor, is easy to make, and would be simple to change up.  If you’re more interested in serving steak, just eliminate the chicken and serve this as a nice, bright side dish.  Because of the lemon in this dish, it pairs exceptionally well with greens.  Click here for an adapted version of the recipe with penne pasta, but know that the best way is to pick up a box of gobetti at your local SuperTarget for the best version!

2.  If your man is a serious carnivore, than the perfect steak is the way to go!  Click here for a great recipe for Pan-Fried Steak, complete with video instructions.  I began my quest for a perfect stove-top steak years ago using similar instructions, and my husband will tell you we never go out for steak anymore… nor does he ever have to take them out to the grill.  I can ALWAYS cook ’em better in my own kitchen using this method!

3.  One of the things I love about cooking with my husband is that he doesn’t mind doing the prep work that I hate, and I get to do the fun part of actually assembling the meal!  This is one I would never attempt without him (I hate cleaning shrimp), and it’s often the recipe we turn to when we want to cook a meal together.  The spices involved are a wonderful combination, and we enjoy sipping on a glass of cold chardonnay as we chat over our dinner preparations.  Click here for a great Sautéed Shrimp recipe!  I usually pick up a great loaf of bread and steam some broccoli to go alongside.  Simple!

There you have it.  Three of our favorites… enjoy dining in, and Happy Valentine’s Day!