Love is in the air! It's time to celebrate Valentine's Day and what better way to celebrate than with a home-cooked feast? Cooking and baking can be a fun and romantic activity for couples to share, and Old Town Spice Shop has all the ingredients you need to sweeten and spice things up. From flavored sugars to gourmet salts, spices, herbs, and seasonings, you can never go wrong with the delicious options we offer. So, let's dig into our five fun and festive Valentine's Day dinner ideas that are sure to impress your loved one!
An Appetizer to Set the Mood: Flavored Popcorn
Popcorn may seem like an afterthought when it comes to snacking, but we have a recipe that's perfect for a Valentine's Day movie night. All you need is about half a cup of popcorn kernels, three tablespoons of melted butter, and a teaspoon of one of our famous popcorn seasonings. Choose from flavors like classic Movie Theater Butter and Kettle Corn, or spice things up with unique flavors like Salted Caramel and Dark Chocolate. Better yet, make a few small bowls of different flavors so you get the best of both worlds.
Instructions:
Pop the popcorn in a large pot that has a lid over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil, add the kernels, and shake the pot so that all the kernels cook evenly without burning. Then, in a separate bowl(s), whisk the butter and popcorn seasoning together. Drizzle the buttery mixture over your popcorn and voila! A perfect snack to kick off the night. Be sure to make extra so you have leftovers for your date night movie.
A Main Dish That Will Steal Your Heart: Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Impress your partner with a restaurant-quality dish right in the comfort of your own home. Old Town Spice Shop offers a variety of gourmet spices and seasonings like our Cajun Spice Blend or our Cajun Blackened Blend, which are both perfect for this cajun pasta dish.
Instructions:
Start by boiling half a pound of linguine, then in a separate pan, cook a pound of cleaned and deveined shrimp until pink. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, along with a diced yellow onion, 1-2 teaspoons of minced garlic, and a teaspoon of cajun seasoning (or more according to your taste). Cook for a few minutes, then add a can of diced tomatoes and half a cup of heavy whipping cream. Let it simmer until it thickens and toss it in with the cooked pasta.
Pairings:
You won't believe how easy it is to make and how delicious it tastes! Pair with a dry, light-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc. Serve with a simple yet elegant baby arugula side salad topped with thinly sliced shallot, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh parmesan cheese shavings, and freshly cracked Four Peppercorn Blend from Old Town Spice Shop.
A Dessert to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth: Lavender and Vanilla Bean Creme Brûlée
End your meal on a sweet note with our lavender and vanilla bean creme brûlée. Infuse cream with dried Lavender Flower and Madagascar Vanilla Beans, then bake in a water bath for a creamy and dreamy dessert. Finish off with a perfectly caramelized sugar topping using our Vanilla Bean Sugar and Lavender Sugar.
A Cocktails/Mocktails Sure to Impress: Love Potion No. 9
Add some romance to your Valentine's Day with our Love Potion No. 9 cocktail. Mix fresh strawberries, lemon juice, and our perfectly pink Hibiscus Sugar with your favorite vodka for a refreshing and fruity drink. For a mocktail version, swap out the vodka for sparkling water and enjoy a crisp and refreshing non-alcoholic drink. Serve in a martini glass or coupe rimmed with Hibiscus or Strawberry Sugar, garnish with mint or basil, and enjoy!
A Gift That Will Keep on Giving: Sweet and Spicy Gift Boxes
Want to give your loved one a gift that will keep on giving long after Valentine's Day? Old Town Spice Shop's gourmet salts, spices, herbs, and seasonings make for the perfect gift that both of you can enjoy. If you can’t choose just one, be sure to explore our gift boxes, carefully curated with a variety of spices and sugars perfect for any cooking style and palate. We also offer gift cards ranging in amounts from $15-100, allowing your partner to choose their favorite spices and seasonings.
Find the Ingredients Your Need at Old Town Spice Shop
There you have it! Adding flavorful spices, salts, and sugars from Old Town Spice Shop to your Valentine's Day feast can turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience. Plus, you and your partner can spend more quality time together rather than fighting the lines at crowded restaurants. Whether you're going for sweet and spicy or a more traditional flavor, there are endless combinations of spices and herbs that can cater to your preferences. So, grab your apron, and let's get cooking this Valentine's Day!
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