Pucker up! Add a little zest to your Valentine’s Day with these romantic dinner recipes

Folklore has long associated the lovely, sunshine-colored lemon with romance. In the Middle Ages, oils and powders made from lemon rinds were often stirred into love potions. More recently (in the last century) a common bit of folk wisdom suggested that a small heart cut from lemon peel and carried in the pocket would attract a suitor. And to this day, some say that a dream of lemons foretells good fortune in romantic relationships.
In our modern era, maybe we’ve got lemons all wrong—and maybe it’s time to change some opinions! To that end, we present this romantic dinner menu designed to add a little zest to your Valentine’s Day. From bruschetta to baked salmon to truffles, these luscious lemony recipes are guaranteed make your sweetie pucker up.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.
Lemon kiss limoncello cocktail
This light and lemony cocktail recipe is perfectly portioned to top off two champagne flutes, making it the perfect pairing for toasting your togetherness.
Lemon-ricotta bruschetta
Put a little zest in your bruschetta. This deliciously different appetizer offers a refreshing twist on traditional tomato bruschetta.
Lemon pasta
This luscious Lemon Pasta recipe includes pancetta, parmigiano, lemon zest and capers, with a dash of red pepper flakes to spice things up. Serve as a side dish or light main course.
Salmon en papillote with lemony gremolata
This baked salmon recipe combines salmon fillets, asparagus and lemon en papillotte (parchment packets) to create an impressive, yet easy, dinner for two.
Lemon pot de crème
Made with heavy cream, sugar and grated Meyer lemon zest, this creamy dessert for two is the perfect choice to cap off a romantic dinner at home.
Lemon truffles
These no-bake lemon truffles are bursting with fresh-squeezed flavor. Top these sweet and simple truffles with our luscious lemon glaze for even more citrusy goodness.
Preserved lemons
You can use preserved lemons to add a fresh twist of flavor to a variety of dishes. Once you try it, you will look for ways to incorporate this tart and tasty ingredient in your other favorite recipes, like our Lemon-Ricotta Bruschetta.
Candied lemon peels
No matter how you serve them—on the side of a cocktail glass, atop a lemon cake or in a candy dish—these Candied Lemon Peels are a delightful way to wake up your taste buds.
VIDEO: How to Set a Romantic Table for Two
Feeling fancy, fun or flirty? Set the table and the mood with these romantic table setting ideas from Hallmark photo stylists.
Shop Valentine's Day
See allYou may also like
See more-
Valentine's Day Valentine's Day Quotes to Share
Sweet? Sexy? Silly? What kind of love are you in? We’re here with a Valentine’s Day quote to help say what’s in yo...
-
Valentine's Day What to write in a Valentine's Day card
Hallmark writers offer up inspiration to help you find just the right loving words to add when you sign a valentine.
-
Valentine's Day Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
Find out which gift we paired with these cards to make their heart smile.
-
New Year's Chinese New Year: learn about this annual celebration and find your Chinese zodiac sign
Chinese New Year is the longest, most celebrated event in Chinese communities around the world. Each year, the Chi...
-
Valentine's Day Play with your food: Valentine's Day treats
All you need is love (and a few simple ingredients) to make our seven fun and easy Valentine treats.
-
Valentine's Day Palentine’s Day Party
Wondering how to celebrate Valentine’s Day with friends? Not everyone is in a romantic relationship on Valen...
-
Lifestyle How to journal: 5 reasons, 3 ways, and 9+ styles
Start journaling today with our easy guide on how and why to journal
-
Christmas Four Easy Holiday Desserts from One Gingerbread Mix
Nothing tells your senses it’s Christmas like the spicy smell of gingerbread. And even if you’re pressed for time ...
-
Drinks Fruit Party Punch
Fruit party punch is the punch of our childhoods—especially if you drop in some raspberry sherbet or rim the glass...
-
Drinks Eggnog Punch
There are several variations to this eggnog punch, allowing you to customize it to your taste buds. We started wit...
-
Drinks Hot Wassail Punch
Nothing sets a warm holiday mood like wassail, a fancy mulled cider. Use your slow cooker for this one—the four-h...
-
Christmas How to Host the Best Cookie Exchange Ever
Who doesn’t want more cookies in their life? Especially during the holidays? The Christmas cookie exchange is a ge...
-
Christmas Lighting the Tree and That Feeling of Christmas Wonder
Make their eyes light up this holiday season
-
Christmas Host the Ultimate White Elephant Gift Exchange
A white elephant gift exchange is a low-stress, low-cost, high-fun way to connect during the holidays. It’s simple...
-
Christmas Christmas Trends and Tree Ideas 2018
Four decor and tree ideas to fill your home with warmth and style
-
Christmas Gingerbread Party
Holiday baking season is upon us and Hallmarker Thea Neal is getting into fun with a gingerbread party the inspire...
-
Christmas Welcoming Holiday Home
Make things merry and bright. Watch this home transform from ordinary to wonderfully festive, welcoming, and cozy!...
-
Card Ideas Share Paper Wonder Cards This Christmas
Add a little extra wonder to Christmas this year by sending your loved ones new Paper Wonder cards. These intricat...
-
Christmas Watch This Cute Snowman Tradition
Feel the magic of Christmas traditions through a parent’s eyes…
-
Christmas This One’s for the Modern Merrymakers: How to Make Meaningful Holiday Traditions
Holiday festivities—the parties, the presents, the glorious days off—are fun. But as much as we enjoy the break in...