So, you are spending Valentine’s Day with someone special, and either you, or they, or both of you are vegan. You want to create something that is beautiful and delicious, of course, but does not require you to spend all evening in the kitchen. So, here are our recommendations for your vegan Valentine’s Day menu that will really hit the spot.
Vegan Starters for Valentines
In our view, the ideal starter is packed with color and flavor, and really gets the taste buds zinging. It is also simple to make and requires no last-minute additions. These three recipes tick all those boxes.
Bruschetta
This can be adapted depending on the flavors you love but it starts with a baguette, cut diagonally into thick slices. Toast the bread, then cover the slices in either vegan cream cheese (garlic and herb flavor works well) or vegan pesto. Pile on top some halved cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and some capers if they’re your thing. And ta-dah! It couldn’t be quicker or easier, and it could not be tastier.
Herby Asparagus Salad
This starter is by Vegan Heaven and it tastes like a piece of vegan heaven, too. Asparagus, pine nuts, parsley, and sweet cherry tomatoes, all in a zingy dressing. It is a classic combination and looks fresh and vibrant. We’d be tempted to serve it with some fancy bread to mop up those juices, but you do you.
Pumpkin, Carrot, and Ginger Soup
Soup is a great choice for a Valentine’s Day starter because you can make it in advance, and it just needs warming through before serving. So simple! It can also be delicious, and very pretty like this work of culinary art. If you want to make your own croutons to go with it, you are 100% guaranteed to impress!
Vegan Main Meals for Valentines
So, now we get to the main event, and there are a wealth of crowd-pleasing recipes available. These three are tried-and-tested, and both look and taste impressive.
Cajun Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
There is something so beautiful about slices of whole roasted cauliflower, and this recipe by Vegan Richa takes it to a whole new level. We love it on a bed of herby couscous and alongside a fresh green salad.
Mushroom and Chestnut Wellington
The oohs and aahs as you bring a Wellington like this to the table are a joy, but the truth is this looks way more complex than it is. In reality, you make the filling, roll it up in the pastry, and put it in the oven. That’s it. We like to serve it with fresh veggies and gravy.
Miso Aubergine
This super tasty, umami-rich recipe is very forgiving as the timings do not have to be too exact. There are lots of recipes out there but we like this one by Healthy Living James a lot. We would serve it on a bed of grains and perhaps with this pretty Asian-style slaw by The Simple Veganista.
Vegan Desserts for Valentine’s Day
So, you’ve got two courses under your belt, and it’s now time for the grand finale. There are so many incredible vegan desserts available but for Valentine’s Day we’re thinking it should be something striking and indulgent—the perfect way to round off a meal.
Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Of course, this is in our top three Valentine’s Day desserts! It’s rich and creamy, surprisingly light, and is a decadent way to end a meal. We’ve chosen this one by Rainbow Plant Life because we love the optional addition of a fruit compote or you can just shave some more chocolate on top.
Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake
Err, yes please. This recipe by Rainbow Nourishments looks amazing, and it tastes just as good as it looks. You will need to make it ahead of time as the cheesecake needs a good few hours to set, but once it’s chilling, you can too.
Vegan Eton Mess
There is nothing better than this British dessert and you will never change our minds on that. It is a mixture of meringue pieces, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries, mixed gently in a glass. It is so pretty, so delicious, and very simple. It is also our wild card because making the meringue takes a little time but try this meringue recipe by The Plant-Based School. Then whip up vegan cream if it is available locally or use a thick coconut yogurt if it is not. Finally, gently spoon them into glasses with some fresh strawberries.
Happy Vegan Valentine’s Day!
Whether you are spending Valentine’s Day with a date, your partner, a friend, your family, or alone, vegan meals can be a way to express your love for others. And doesn’t the world need a bit more of that?
