Paleo Valentine’s Day Menus

Even though I firmly believe that life is best when we don’t eat our feelings, I’m also 100% committed to the idea that we can show sincere, true, nurturing love with homemade food—especially when it’s grain-free, dairy-free, legume-free deliciousness.

When I make dinner for Dave every evening, I’m not just cooking the food—I’m demonstrating my devotion. Other people might be into heart-shaped chocolate boxes and roses, but I show the depth of my affection with garlic cloves, duck fat, Japanese sweet potatoes, and by remembering that he likes Cholula Hot Sauce with his eggs and it’s always ‘yes’ to green olives and ‘no’ to black (even though he can barely remember which type of olives he prefers.)

I say: Share the food love.

With that in mind, I’ve pulled together three Valentine’s Day menus for you and your favorite person to feed. (And if that’s the same person, that is awesome. I love to make special dinners for myself and you should, too.)

Menu 1: Salmon Cakes

This menu is built around spiced salmon cakes and oven fries. It’s a little elegant and a little fun, and most of the work is done in the oven, which means clean-up is a snap. You can prep the salad a few days in advance, if you like. The salmon cakes, fries, and carrots are quick to prep and are roasted in the oven so you can relax while dinner finishes itself.

Muffaletta Salad

Oven-Fried Salmon Cakes

Herb Parsnip Fries

Cumin-Roasted Carrots

Menu 2: Walnut-Crusted Pork Chops

This one starts with a soup course and the main event elevates basic meat-and-potatoes to something special. Make the soup and a few days in advance, then cook the home fries while the pork chops are in the oven. Easy-peasy.

Golden Cauliflower Soup

Walnut-Crusted Pork Chops with Baked Apples 

Classic Home Fries

Menu 3: Moroccan Salmon

This menu goes on a trip somewhere a little exotic with earthy spices and brilliant colors. Make the soup a few days in advance. When it’s time to cook for dinner, make the salad first so the flavors can meld. The salmon and spinach are fast and easy, so you can ease into dinner.

Persian Spiced Winter Vegetable Soup

Moroccan Salmon

Moroccan Orange Salad

Simple Lemon Spinach

Desserts

If you’re not doing a Whole30 and want to finish your meal with a treat, these are both very satisfying and are not too sweet.

2-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse

Sweet & Salty Fudge Bombs

More Menu Ideas

If none of these seem quite right for you, take a look at the menus for my Latin American Dinner Party, Eastern European Feast, or the Spicy-Sweet Dinner Party.