Frugal Romantic Valentine's Meal??

**forHISglory** · 02-10-2008, 12:17 AM

I always have prepared a really nice dinner for hubby on Valentine's Day. It's my love-gift to him. We eat at home, and I usually went all out: perhaps a shrimp cocktail, a steak, au gratin potatoes, steamed fresh green beans, a nice green salad with various kinds of greens, sliced fresh fruit with cheese assortment, a decadent dessert......... You get the idea.

Here's the problem this year. I am on a super tight food budget (trying to save for plane tickets for us), and a meal like the above just isn't happening this year. But I still want to give him a memorable romantic meal; it's my tradition.

So......... do you have any ideas for a fantastic home made meal for two people that would look and taste absolutely glamorous, and cost under $10? Do you cook a love-meal for your spouse? Your ideas will help!

**mikandmari** · 02-10-2008, 03:41 AM

I've been thinking the same thing. Lucky for me (I guess) my husband wouldn't know 'romantic' or 'glamorous' if he tripped over it

.

He loves homemade pasta. It's dirt cheap, but labor intensive. So maybe some homemade spaghetti with meat sauce, and a warm loaf of Italian bread. Maybe for dessert I'll make a big brownie sundae or a banana split, with whipped cream and a cherry on top... one big dessert with 2 spoons.

Can you check the sale ads and see if their is a good cut of meat on sale this week? That might give you a few ideas

.

**FrugalWitch** · 02-10-2008, 08:13 AM

If money's that tight I would just cook him whatever his favorite "regular" meal is and just eat by candlight. Use your nice dishes, gussy yourself up for him. Maybe have a box of chocolates by his plate for dessert.

**kittykatstrong** · 02-10-2008, 09:54 AM

I don't have a meal idea. I am working and will be bring home a heart-shaped pizza. But I heard this on the radio. Do a naked-noodle night. LOL. I could n't eat naked but maybe give it a try.

**Momto2Boyz** · 02-10-2008, 10:05 AM

I stumbled upon a super cheap valentine meal by accident, but it's been great for us!

The first year we dated, we were dirt poor. We couldn't afford to go out, so I made spagetti, garlic bread and heart sugar cookies, with red frosting. Basically, I chose the spagetti because it was red & cheap!

Anyway, we have had this meal every valentine's day since, in the last 10 years! So, you could always start a new tradition and just make all the food red (there are actually a lot of red foods when you start thinking about it)!

Last year, I made reservations, got a sitter and we had intended to go out and DH was hurt. So we ended up cancelling our reservations, going to the grocery store, getting pasta & sauce and going home and making our traditional dinner, I thought that was cute!

Also, according to him, the best gift I ever gave him was the year I covered the front door in "love" notes. I cut about 100 hearts out of pink, red & purple construction paper. On each heart, I took a marker and wrote something, I loved about him (when I ran out of things, I cut out pictures of significant events and put them in the hearts). He said it was the best gift anyone had ever given him. And I was proud...cuz it didn't cost me anything but time (ok, well and construction paper)!

**forHISglory** · 02-10-2008, 10:07 AM

Believe me, naked noodle night wouldn't be comfortable for me! And I don't like my noodles naked, either............ But I do like the pasta idea. Hubby likes ham; maybe I can do something with pasta and ham. And I already do the candlelight, best dishes, etc. I thought I would try to make some hand dipped chocolates. I already have some marachino (sp?) cherries left from Christmas. You are getting my brain rolling......THANKS! Now I wonder if I can keep the cost under $5????

**PrairieRose** · 02-10-2008, 11:33 AM

My only other suggestion would be to check out the day old meat bin at the supermarket. You know how they will mark down meats? Perhaps you could get a nice cut of meat for a great price and dress it up for him ... ?

**pip** · 02-10-2008, 11:36 AM

How about a cornish game hen and some wild rice? You could add a veggie and maybe some chocolate pudding......

**carlitasway** · 02-10-2008, 03:03 PM

Just give him good sex. He won't even care what he ate.

**IntlMom** · 02-10-2008, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by carlitasway

Just give him good sex. He won't even care what he ate.

I love it, nuthin' like brutal honesty!!!

**Hamada** · 02-10-2008, 08:21 PM

Try something like a pasta carbonara with the ham. Cut up some fruit, apples, bananas, heat up some chocolate and "serve" each other desert.

**joyofsix** · 02-10-2008, 09:41 PM

One year I made a heart shaped pizza followed by a heart shaped chocolate chip cookie.

**auntie2many** · 02-10-2008, 09:59 PM

I remember a few months ago, one of the men who posts on FV and seemed like a good cook posted his recipe for Linguine and clam sauce. It wasn't too expensive and sounded good. You might want to try a search for it.

**baxjul** · 02-10-2008, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by carlitasway

Just give him good sex. He won't even care what he ate.

LOL! That is soo true!!!

**suki** · 02-13-2008, 01:27 PM

We've done a special dinner for Valentine's Day every year for my family. This year we, too, are cutting back.

My plan is to simply take a look at my pantry and make a menu that utilizes what I have on hand.

So far, I'm starting with a Wheat Berry Salad. I've not decided on meat... I have pork loin, chicken and salmon in the freezer.

I have a lot of chocolate on hand, leftover from Christmas baking, so I'll make a chocolate dessert.

Today, I'm baking sugar cookies for valentines for friends and family members.

If you have much in your pantry, I'd start by looking there and build on it.