Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to indulge in a romantic dinner filled with flavors that speak of love and affection. This year, why not surprise your significant other with a delightful array of Filipino main dishes that are sure to impress? From savory seafood to succulent meats, these dishes embody the spirit of love and celebration. Here are four tantalizing main dishes and two sweet dessert suggestions that will make your Valentine’s Day dinner unforgettable.
To start our romantic feast, let’s indulge in the exquisite flavors of Bistek Tagalog, a dish that perfectly balances savory and tangy notes, setting the stage for a memorable Valentine’s Day dinner.
Main Course Suggestions:
Bistek Tagalog (Filipino Beef Steak)
Bistek Tagalog is a classic Filipino dish that combines tender beef slices marinated in a flavorful soy sauce and calamansi mixture. With its savory and tangy flavors, this dish is sure to delight your taste buds and set the mood for a romantic evening.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup calamansi juice or lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, sliced into rings
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, calamansi juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate beef slices in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Fry onion rings until caramelized and set aside.
- In the same pan, fry marinated beef slices until browned on both sides.
- Add the remaining marinade and simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Transfer the beef slices to a serving plate and top with caramelized onions.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
Following our appetizing start, let’s dive into the comforting flavors of Sinigang na Salmon Belly, a dish that combines the richness of salmon with the tanginess of tamarind, creating a symphony of flavors perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Sinigang na Salmon Belly (Salmon Belly Sour Soup)
Sinigang na Salmon Belly is a delightful twist on the traditional Filipino sour soup, featuring tender salmon belly slices cooked in a tangy tamarind broth with an abundance of vegetables. This comforting and flavorful dish is perfect for cozying up with your loved one on Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound salmon belly, cut into serving pieces
- 1 packet sinigang mix
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 tomatoes, quartered
- 1 daikon radish, peeled and sliced
- 1 bunch kangkong (water spinach), trimmed
- 2-3 pieces green chili peppers
- 6 cups water
- Fish sauce (patis) to taste
Instructions:
- In a pot, bring water to a boil.
- Add onions and tomatoes, and cook until softened.
- Stir in the sinigang mix until dissolved.
- Add daikon radish and simmer until tender.
- Add salmon belly slices and cook until opaque.
- Season with fish sauce to taste.
- Add kangkong and green chili peppers, then simmer for another minute.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
Continuing our culinary journey, let’s savor the indulgent flavors of Seafood Kare-Kare, a dish that combines the bounty of the sea with the richness of peanut sauce, creating a symphony of flavors perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Seafood Kare-Kare (Filipino Seafood Stew)
Seafood Kare-Kare is a luxurious and flavorful stew featuring a medley of seafood simmered in a rich peanut sauce. With its creamy texture and bold flavors, this dish is sure to impress your loved one and elevate your Valentine’s Day dinner to new heights.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 pound squid, cleaned and sliced into rings
- 1/2 pound mussels, cleaned
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggplants, sliced
- 1 bundle string beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 banana blossom (optional), sliced
- Fish sauce (patis) to taste
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
- Heat cooking oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Saute garlic and onion until fragrant.
- Add peanut butter and cook until slightly toasted.
- Pour in coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
- Add eggplants, string beans, and banana blossom, then simmer until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in shrimp, squid, and mussels, and cook until seafood is cooked through.
- Season with fish sauce to taste.
- Serve hot with bagoong (shrimp paste) on the side and steamed rice.
Concluding our main course selection is the irresistible Lechon Kawali, a dish that boasts crispy perfection on the outside and tender goodness on the inside, adding a touch of indulgence to your Valentine’s Day dinner.
Lechon Kawali (Crispy Fried Pork Belly)
Lechon Kawali is a Filipino favorite that features crispy-fried pork belly with tender meat and crunchy skin. This dish is sure to tantalize your taste buds and add a touch of indulgence to your Valentine’s Day dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound pork belly, sliced into cubes
- 4 cups water
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking oil for frying
Instructions:
- In a pot, combine water, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Add pork belly and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat and simmer until pork is tender, about 30-40 minutes.
- Remove pork belly from the pot and let it cool completely.
- Heat cooking oil in a deep fryer or large pan over medium-high heat.
- Fry the pork belly until golden and crispy.
- Drain excess oil on paper towels.
- Serve hot with vinegar dipping sauce and steamed rice.
For a sweet ending to your Valentine’s Day dinner, consider serving Turon, a delightful Filipino dessert that combines the sweetness of ripe bananas with the crispiness of spring roll wrappers, creating a delicious treat that’s perfect for sharing with your loved one.
Valentine’s Day Dessert Suggestions:
Turon (Banana Spring Rolls)
Turon is a classic Filipino dessert that features ripe bananas wrapped in spring roll wrappers, coated in brown sugar, and fried until golden and crispy. This sweet and crunchy treat is perfect for sharing with your loved one on Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients:
- Ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
- Spring roll wrappers
- Brown sugar
- Cooking oil for frying
Instructions:
- Place a slice of banana on a spring roll wrapper.
- Sprinkle brown sugar on top of the banana.
- Roll the wrapper tightly, folding the sides in as you go.
- Seal the edge with water.
- Heat cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Fry the turon until golden and crispy.
- Drain excess oil on paper towels.
- Serve hot and enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Another delightful dessert option for your Valentine’s Day celebration is Mango Float, a heavenly concoction of graham crackers, whipped cream, and sweet mangoes, creating a refreshing treat that’s perfect for sharing with your special someone.
Mango Float
Mango Float is a luscious and refreshing dessert that features layers of graham crackers, whipped cream, and sweet mangoes. This no-bake dessert is easy to make and is sure to leave a lasting impression on your Valentine’s Day celebration.
Ingredients:
- Ripe mangoes, peeled and sliced
- Graham crackers
- Whipped cream
- Condensed milk
Instructions:
- In a serving dish, arrange a layer of graham crackers.
- Spread a layer of whipped cream on top of the graham crackers.
- Arrange a layer of sliced mangoes on top of the whipped cream.
- Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the dish, ending with a layer of whipped cream.
- Drizzle condensed milk on top of the final layer.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve cold and enjoy the creamy goodness of Mango Float with your loved one.
This Valentine’s Day, create a memorable dining experience for you and your loved one with these exquisite Filipino main dishes and delightful dessert suggestions. From the savory delights of Bistek Tagalog and Sinigang na Salmon Belly to the indulgent Seafood Kare-Kare and crispy Lechon Kawali, each dish is sure to captivate your taste buds and evoke feelings of love and affection. And for a sweet ending to your romantic feast, consider serving the crunchy Turon or the creamy Mango Float, adding the perfect finishing touch to your Valentine’s Day celebration. So, light some candles, set the mood, and embark on a culinary journey through the flavors of the Philippines with these delightful recipes. Happy Valentine’s Day!