Valentines Day is on a Sunday this year, but that doesn't mean that we still have all the time in the world to prepare a delicious and romantic dinner at home.
There are plenty of other things you would rather be doing on this special day than spending half of it in the kitchen.
So, here is how you can pull off an amazing evening without worrying about your food.
1.
Prepare in Advance.
Your main course and the actual cooking needs to be done right before you eat it, but that doesn't mean you can prepare some of the ingredients or dishes in advance.
Appetizers like stuffed mushrooms can be prepared the day before, covered, and place in the refrigerator until the next day.
Having this already prepared is a great time-saver.
You just need to add an additional five minutes to the regular cook time and you will have a hot and fabulous starter course to pull fresh from the oven.
2.
Take Advantage of Your Supermarket.
If you are looking to prepare a salad or soup as one of the courses, take advantage of your local supermarket.
Most local grocery stores now carry pre-packaged salads that have all the ingredients you need to create the specialty you are looking for.
Many supermarkets also have delis that carry "homemade" soup of the day, so you can swap hot soup for that salad on a cold day without having to make it from scratch.
Just heat and serve, and top with a little fresh garnish.
3.
Plan it out.
Part of putting together a great meal is timing your cooking.
If you are making something you have never made before, be sure to read the instructions and collect the ingredients the day before.
This way, you can make sure you won't be short on something for your recipe and you can ensure everything is done at the proper time so something doesn't end up cooking too long (or too little).
The last thing you want is for your meat to be over or undercooked, and your vegetables a shriveled up mess.
When it comes to a great Valentines Dinner creation, just remember to keep it simple.
Easy to prepare dishes like Pan Seared Chicken and Roasted Potatoes present well, taste great and take very little time to prepare.
You can also take it up a notch by creating the right atmosphere for your meal -- which means don't forget the flowers and candles! Enjoy.