Valentine’s Day is coming thick and fast—are you ready? If you’re looking for ways to dazzle your loved one this year, food is still one of the best ways into someone’s heart.
Sure, you can splash the cash and head out to a fancy restaurant—but if you really want to impress—rolling up your sleeves and cooking a meal from scratch is the way to go.
Oh, and if your partner is a health-conscious fitness fanatic or they’re on a quest to build muscle, we have some protein-packed healthy Valentine’s recipes for you to try.
We’ve created a protein-powered three-course romantic dinner that is pretty simple to make but will go down a treat—trust us.
So, roll up those sleeves, and get cooking.
Meet our ‘hearty’ high protein healthy Valentine’s Day dinner
A romantic dinner that’s healthy—surely not? You’d better believe it because this ‘hearty’ three-course menu is packed with protein, brimming with nutrients, and incredibly indulgent.
Each of these recipes is pretty straightforward, but the end result is sure to impress your partner and transform you into a cooking utensil-slinging Valentine’s Day legend.
Let’s begin.
To start…
Oysters with Japanese ginger dressing
It’s a well-trodden fact that oysters are considered a natural Aphrodisiac. Yes, these spritely little shellfish are one of the world’s romantic dishes—and with the right of seasoning—they’re out of this world.
This easy dinner recipe is quick, simple, and stunning. The ginger zings the palette, while the Japanese-inspired flavors will bring your senses to life.
Ingredients…
- Finely grated ginger (to preference)
- Two fresh spring onions, shredded or chopped
- One tbsp of Japanese soy sauce
- One tbsp of Japanese rice vinegar
- One tsp golden caster sugar
- 12 oysters (of course), freshly shucked
Method…
- Add your grated ginger and the lion’s share of your spring onion to a bowl before adding your soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Leave to soak for five minutes.
- Arrange your oysters neatly on a plate of ice (presentation is key if you want to impress your Valentine’s date). Drizzle your dressing and sprinkle the rest of your spring onion on top of the oysters. Enjoy!
The main…
Light yet satisfying salmon and asparagus pasta
This epic dish is the perfect addition to the perfect dinner. It’s hearty yet light, features one of the healthiest greens on the planet—and is abundant in tastebud-tingling salmon (which is packed with lean protein).
Not only does this dish look stunning, but it is the ideal main for a romantic dinner that is equal parts healthy and decadent.
Ingredients…
- Two salmon fillets
- 8 oz (225g) pasta of your choice (linguine or fettuccine work well)
- One bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- Three cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (or substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- Juice of one lemon
- The zest of one lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Method…
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (a.k.a. not too soft or soggy). Drain and set aside.
- Season your salmon fillets with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add salmon fillets, skin side down, and cook for four to five minutes until the skin is crispy. Flip and cook for another three to four minutes until the salmon is cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add minced garlic and cook for one to two minutes until fragrant.
- Add asparagus to the skillet and cook for three to four minutes until tender-crisp.
- Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in heavy cream (or Greek yogurt), lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook for another two to three minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Flake the cooked salmon into large chunks and gently fold it into the pasta.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss to combine.
- Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the salmon and asparagus pasta hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Dessert…
Protein-powered dark chocolate tiramisu
Every special occasion deserves a dessert that knocks you off your feet—and this slightly leaner take on a traditional tiramisu will deliver the goods.
It’s sweet, sharp, and tangy. It’s rich and creamy. It offers a solid protein hit. And, it’s the best way to round off your healthy Valentine’s Day menu.
Ingredients…
- One box of ladyfingers
- Three cups of low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1½ scoops of vanilla protein powder
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- Two tsp ground cinnamon
- Two tsp cocoa powder
- One cup of strong coffee
- Half a block of 70% dark chocolate (or dark chocolate chips, if you prefer
Method…
-
Add your yogurt, vanilla extract, and protein powder to a large bowl and combine until it’s nice and smooth. Use a whisk or an electric hand mixer if you prefer.
- Soak your lady fingers in your coffee mix thoroughly, one by one. Place half of them evenly to the bottom of a suitable baking dish to form the base of your romantic dessert.
- Spread a third of your Greek yogurt mix over the ladyfingers evenly, then add some cinnamon, cocoa powder, and dark chocolate or chocolate chips. Repeat this layering process twice more.
- Add a little extra dark chocolate to the top of your Valentine’s Day tiramisu, and leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Serve when the time is right, and indulge.
Protein-packed plant-based romantic recipe ideas
At this point, we’ve proved that a healthier Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean a dull Valentine’s Day.
The healthy Valentine’s Day recipes we’ve shared here are brimming with fresh flavors and epic ingredients, but they’re also a little naughty (in the best possible way).
We know that not everyone eats meat. So, if you or your partner is a vegan or a plant-based athlete, here are a few tip-top meat-free recipe ideas for your special night.
Vegan scallops with king oyster mushrooms
Juicy, delicious, and aromatic, meaty king oyster mushrooms replace scallops to create a dish that not only stands out from the crowd—but will make your Valentine’s Day date go wild.
Get the recipe
Yellow lentil and coconut curry with cauliflower
This is the perfect addition to a healthy Valentine’s Day meal—vegan-style. The light and creamy sauce tastes great, and the yellow lentils will provide the satisfying protein punch you need.
It's bright, light, delicious, and sure to impress your Valentine’s Day dinner guest.
Get the recipe
Vegan moussaka bowls
Aside from the melting pot of sizzling flavors and the protein-powered goodness this recipe offers, these lovely little bowls of goodness will showcase your culinary efforts and commitment to creating a special occasion meal to remember.
The best part is: While it will look like you’ve taken painstaking measures to put this tasty plant-based meal together, it’s deceivingly simple.
Get the recipe
Bon appetit
If you’re looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day the healthy way, these recipes will hit the mark.
Here you have everything you need to create a show-stopping meal for your fitness-loving partner and make it a night to remember without overdoing it with the cooking time.
If you love Valentine’s Day as much as we do, we’re sure you’ll enjoy cooking as well as eating these romantic dishes.
We wish you the best of luck, and if you’re looking for a gift to present to your partner during dinner, grab something special from our popular range of health and fitness supplements.
Here’s to a healthy Valentine’s Day.
