How to make a foolproof Valentine’s Day dinner for your sweetheart

Posted: Feb 13, 2020 / 03:41 PM EST / Updated: Feb 13, 2020 / 04:06 PM EST

This Valentine’s Day, skip the restaurant and show your sweetheart what true love looks like by making dinner at home! Ivy Tech Community College hospitality administration student and chef-in-training Carl Dalrymple shows us how to make an easy Valentine’s Day dinner you can prepare for your sweetheart. It’s sure to impress!

Here’s how to make it:

Heart-Shaped Sautéed Italian Chicken Breast

INGREDIENTS

2 T oil
2 – 5oz chicken breast
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp each salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering
Cut the chicken breast horizontally without cutting completely though so that it makes a heart-shape when unfolded
Combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning
Dredge chicken breast in flour mixture
Place chicken in pan and fry on both sides until golden brown

Pasta w/a vodka cream sauce

INGREDIENTS

16 ounces penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic
1/4c chopped shallots
28 ounce can Italian style or San Marzano whole tomatoes
4 oz tomato paste
1/4 cup vodka
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped basil

INSTRUCTIONS

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce
Melt the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallots and cook for 5 minutes
Pour the tomato products into the pan
Add the vodka to the pan. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes over medium low heat
Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese and simmer for another 5 minutes or until thickened. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste
Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle with parsley, parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (optional), then serve