Love is in the air on February 14th, so it’s the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy a beautiful meal together at home. Rather than dining with the crowds and paying too much for an average tasting dish, you can create a romantic dining experience at home.
Wondering what to cook for Valentine’s Day dinner that’ll wow that special someone? With simple but premium ingredients, like Linley Valley Pork, you can create a restaurant quality dish in the comfort of your own home, along with candles, music, and a soft romantic setting.
In this guide to Valentine’s Day dinner, we’ve hand-picked a selection of delicious pork recipes to add to your menu that’ll set the mood. Of course, these tips and pork recipes work for any special occasion, not just Valentine’s Day dinner.
Why Cooking at Home Is a Perfect Match for Valentine’s Day
There’s nothing more romantic than cooking for someone you care about. The time spent, the fresh ingredients, and the comfort and closeness of dining at home. When done right, a home-cooked Valentine’s Day dinner is an experience you simply can’t replicate at a restaurant. Here’s why:
A More Intimate Atmosphere
At home, you control the mood. Soft lighting, your favourite music, and complete comfort. You won’t need to rush courses or try to talk over the noisy tables nearby, so it’ll feel like you’re the only two people on earth.
Complete Control Over the Menu
Cooking in your own kitchen means you can tailor every detail to your partner’s taste. You know their favourite fresh salad ingredients to pair with crispy pork belly, or how they prefer creamy mash over roast potatoes beside a perfectly cooked herb crusted pork loin.
Restaurant Quality Without the Crowds Or Cost
Cooking with premium Australian pork means you can prepare a delicious main course that’s on par with fine dining. And with a third of Australians admitting they overspend on dining out, it’s the perfect way to save a little money without sacrificing on quality food.
Choosing Australian Pork for Valentine’s Day Dinner
Quality is key to planning a restaurant-worthy meal at home. And since Australian pork is known for being fresh, tender and full of natural flavour, it’s the perfect choice. Consider these premium pork cuts for your romantic meal:
- Pork loin: Lean, tender and ideal for roasting or slicing into succulent steaks.
- Pork belly: Rich and indulgent, perfect for crispy crackling.
- Pork cutlets: Elegant and easy to pan-fry, with endless juicy flavour.
- Pork fillet: Tender and perfect for quick roasting or pan cooking, delivering impressive results.
With so much versatility in how you prepare it, and consistently excellent results, this premium ingredient is a must for your menu.
Planning the Perfect Valentine’s Day Menu
A beautiful meal doesn’t have to be complicated. The secret? Balanced flavours, quality ingredients, and preparation. Follow these steps to plan your romantic menu.
Build A Simple, Thoughtful Menu
Create a multi-course menu in your own kitchen is simpler than you think. To really wow your partner, considering structuring your Valentine’s Day dinner as:
- A light entrée of something simple and fresh
- A standout pork main
- One or two complementary sides, such as a salad and a potato dish
- Dessert for a sweet finish
Prep Ahead to Reduce Stress
Select recipes that allow you to prepare components in advance if you’re feeling stressed. Meal prep strategies like chopping vegetables earlier in the day, pre-mixing marinades, and purchasing a dessert from your local patisserie can give you a head start.
Choose a Pork Recipe As the Centrepiece
When premium Australian pork is on the menu, you can let the quality of the meat shine. Select just one pork recipe as the main event, and plan the rest of the dishes around it.
Our Favourite Valentine’s Day Pork Recipe Ideas
The key to knowing what to cook for Valentine’s Day dinner is balancing impressive and achievable. These Linley Valley pork recipes will leave you feeling inspired as you plan your big dinner.
Standout Pork Mains
- Crispy pork belly with crackling
Balance the richness of perfectly crispy crackling with a fresh summer salad in this recipe. Add a zesty citrus dressing and it’s the perfect dish for Valentine’s Day. - Herb-crusted pork loin
A carefully sliced and plated roasted pork loin is an elegant dish to present to your date. Pair the herb and garlic crust with your favourite potatoes, kale salad, and tomatoes, and you have a delicious feast. - Honey roast pork fillet with chimichurri
Makes the most of one of pork’s most versatile cuts with this honey roast pork fillet. It cooks quickly and stays tender, working beautifully with bright and tangy chimichurri.
Easy Yet Impressive Pork Recipes
- One-pan pork dishes
Spend more time with your date and less cleaning up with our one-pan dishes. The flavourful Mexican Pork Shoulder Jacket Potatoes with Tangy Coleslaw is exceptionally seasoned and generous, while keeping preparation simple. - Simple marinades, impressive flavour
A well-balanced marinade can transform a quality pork loin steak into a fine dining experience. This BBQ Plum Loin Steak with Grilled Bok Choy, Pickled Purple Cabbage, and Greek Salad showcases just how easy it is to prepare a deliciously flavoursome dinner. - Effortless roasts
The Speedy Pork Roast delivers restaurant-quality crisp crackling and juicy meat. Using lean pork roast, it’s an elegant meal that cuts down on prep and cook time.
No matter your date’s tastes or your skill level in the kitchen, any one of these delectable pork dishes will suit your romantic evening.
The Secret to Perfectly Cooked Pork for Valentine’s Day
Thankfully, cooking pork beautifully is easier than many people think. Here are a few popular cooking methods, and what they’re best for.
- Oven roasting: Ideal for pork loin, belly and shoulder cuts.
- Pan frying: Perfect for pork cutlets and fillets.
- Air frying: A convenient way to achieve crisp results with less oil.
Most importantly, let the pork rest after cooking to retain juices and keep it tender. For more tips on cooking your pork to perfection, and specific rest times for each cut, check out Linley Valley’s detailed cooking guide.
Create Your Perfect Valentine’s Day Dinner with Linley Valley Pork
Take the guesswork out of what to cook for Valentine’s Day dinner with a premium cut of Linley Valley pork. Create a romantic evening to remember and become a confident home chef with the rest of our recipe collection.
