Planning a romantic Valentine's (or Galentine's) dinner at home?
As many gear up for a special evening filled with delicious food and great company, one key ingredient to a memorable dining experience is pairing the right wine with your meal.
If you’re looking to wow a partner or friend with your sommelier-like knowledge, we’ve got you covered with some delicious dinner ideas and the best wines to go with them. The recipes are relaxed and interchangeable so you can adapt them as needed and substitute the meat options for vegetarian options like tofu, tempeh, or beans.
Salad & Sauvignon Blanc
Salads are healthy, versatile, and interchangeable dishes, making it easy to add in season offerings. You can make a bowl of leafy greens with all your favourite vegetables and a protein, and then top with a vinaigrette. Or, take your salad skills to the next level with this simple yet delicious Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad that includes a lighter dressing and amps up the flavour with tomatoes and olives. Salads like these pair wonderfully with the bubbly or the sparkling flavour of a Sauvignon Blanc. The vinegar in the dressing will balance the tartness of the wine and pull out the fruitiness side of its flavour.
Chicken & Chardonnay
A simple, homemade, roasted chicken like this one is perfect for sharing and features a taste of Southern comfort, without the excess calories. The silky sensation of a Chardonnay, especially a California Chardonnay, evens out the rigidness of cooked chicken. Chardonnay pairs so well with chicken that it’s often a part of chicken recipes itself.
Photo: skodonnell via gettyimages.com
Salmon & Rosé
Salmon is an extremely versatile dinner option. You can prepare the fish by searing it, or smoking it, and then adding various herbs and citrus for a tangy taste, or using sauces for a sweet or spicy flavour. This versatility means that salmon can be paired with many types of wines, such as a Rosé, Champagne, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio. This recipe uses a simple lemon-and-olive flavouring and is perfect for a pink Rosé. Add fresh basil on top and serve it with roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus to green up the plate.
Steak & Cabernet Sauvignon
Recreate a five-star steakhouse restaurant experience at home with this perfect grill-out protein. Use a nice rub or marinade on it with this Pan Seared Sirloin Steak recipe complete with creamy mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and steamed vegetables. You can also add it to these Steak Kabobs or make this delicious, light Grilled Steak Salad. Whichever recipe you choose, you’ll want to pair it with a rich Cabernet Sauvignon—the acidity in the wine contrasts well with the steak texture.
Portobello Mushroom & Pinot Noir
This Grilled Portobello Mushrooms recipe leverages simple ingredients for a tangy marinade plus the quick-roasting power of a grill that makes it perfect for vegetarians. Make this Garlic Butter Sauce for a topping that will ensure these mushrooms are something you’ll want to enjoy all year long. Plus, there are many other meals you can make out of a portobello mushroom, such as these knock-your-socks-off Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Crispy Goat Cheese. The earthy flavour of a portobello mushroom pairs perfectly with a savoury red Pinot Noir, which does a beautiful job at not taking over the flavour bursts of the mushroom.
These delicious recipes have no heavy sauces or crazy additives. Pair them with the perfect wine, and you’ll be on your way to a guilt-free, Valentine's Day evening you’ll want to recreate again and again.
