By Ann Thelen
We’ve pulled together some of our favorite recipes for a stay-at-home date night. These meals are perfect for enjoying with your sweetheart or for sharing the love with the entire family!
With Valentine’s Day approaching, enjoying a meal with your sweetheart is the centerpiece of celebrating this annual mid-February “holiday.” With schedules often overflowing with activities, staying in for a date night with your sweetie can be just as special as dining at a restaurant.
Food is always our sweetheart, and Iowa’s farmers put great care into responsibly producing soybeans, pork, corn, beef, dairy, eggs and turkey. The high-quality, delicious and nutritious products raised on Iowa farms are something we can all fall in love with every day of the year.
We’ve pulled together some delicious recipes for a date night in or to share with the whole family. Enjoyed from the comfort of home, these meals are a heartwarming way to enjoy a special meal!
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Artichoke Turkey Pizza | Iowa Turkey Federation
When a food has the word “heart” as part of its name, it is sure to be something to love. Artichoke hearts pair with protein-rich turkey and cheeses for a pizza that’s gift-worthy. Baked on a base of tomatoes, basil, garlic and oregano, the flavors give a nod to Italy, the birthplace of modern pizza. Find the recipe here.
Garlic Bacon Cream Smothered Pork Chops | Iowa Pork Producers Association
This quick, stovetop recipe translates into mouth-watering, heart-pounding pork chops. The flavors of tender, juicy chops are complemented by garlic, basil, thyme and sundried tomatoes, and then met with a rich, creamy, mushroom sauce. Allow your skillet to come up to medium-high temperature before searing the pork chops so they get a deliciously crisp outer crust. Find the recipe here.
Mexican Corn Chowder | Dash of Sanity & Iowa Corn Growers Association
Easy to make on a busy night, this Mexican Corn Chowder is packed with flavor and insanely delicious. Chowder is a type of soup or stew often prepared with milk or cream and thickened with broken crackers, crushed ship biscuits or a roux. This recipe is versatile and can be easily adapted by adding potatoes, extra veggies or topping with chips. No matter how you serve it, you’ll fall head over heels for the flavors. Find the recipe here.
Provolone Chicken with Mushroom Gravy | DairyGood & Midwest Dairy
An elegant and comforting meal that your sweetheart or the entire family will adore. The dairy goodness of provolone cheese surrounds the chicken, mushroom and gravy combination. Provolone’s smooth texture and subtle, smokey richness take this dish to a new level of deliciousness. Find the recipe here.
Sesame-Soy Beef Stir Fry | Iowa Beef Industry Council
Stir-fry is a great way to use your favorite steak cuts in a quick and flavorful way. Beef sirloin tip steaks are served with frozen vegetables and a delicious sesame-soy sauce. Beef offers 10 essential nutrients your body needs with the taste you love! Ready in 25 minutes, it’s a sweetheart of an easy meal. Find the recipe here.
Miso Salmon | Hy-Vee & The Soyfoods Council
For an Asian-flavored twist to mealtime, add a little miso to dinner! Miso is a fermented paste created from a mixture of soybeans, sea salt and rice koji. The potent soybean paste gives oomph to a rich glaze that’s perfect for salmon. Brush it on and bake until the fish flakes easily. Find the recipe here.
Noodle Zoodle Egg Bowl | American Egg Council & Iowa Egg Council
Crack open the healthy goodness of eggs with a zesty zucchini noodle bowl. In this recipe, cooking the eggs to a soft poach allows the yolk to create a creamy sauce when cut. Always use very fresh eggs for poaching. They hold their shape better and form fewer wispy threads or “angel wings” in the water. Find the recipe here.