You know that time is running out to make those Valentine's Day reservations. You have the perfect Italian restaurant in mind. All you need to do is make the call and you'll have your plans squared away.
It seems like everyone else had the same idea. The restaurant is booked all night, and you've promised your hungry paramour an Italian feast that they won't soon forget. It looks like you've become the chef for your romantic evening, and you're going to need a date night recipe that holds muster.
At Dagostino pasta, we're full of date night ideas to suit every palate! Italian food is perfect for date night meals, on Valentine's Day... or any day! We've devised a multi-course linguine feast that will make you and your partner fall in love with your dinner!
Keep reading to learn how to easily and affordably whip up a date night feast that will make you look like an Adonis in the kitchen! We'll even help you gather up the highest quality Dagostino ingredients to ensure that it's love at first bite!
- The Salad Course
- The Main Course: Date Night Recipe
- The Dessert Course
- Fall in Love with Dagostino Linguine
The Salad Course
What is romantic about a salad? The more courses you include in your date night feast, the more time you have to talk, look into each other's eyes, and prepare to eat the best linguine of your life!
A salad is nothing without dressing, and the right dressing can pep up even the simplest plate of greens! Our favorite balsamic vinaigrette combines Dagostino balsamic vinegar and Dagostino extra virgin olive oil into a creamy, perfectly tart treat.
Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
To mix up our lifechanging vinaigrette, you will need:
- 1/4 cup Dagostino balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 cup Dagostino extra virgin olive oil
- 1 minced clove of fresh garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
Add all of the ingredients to the bowl except for your oil. Whisk them together until combined, then mix the oil in. Refrigerate until chilled, shake well, and then add it to your most romantic salad!
The Main Course: Date Night Recipe
If you've seen the iconic film Lady and the Tramp, then you are already aware that linguine is the most romantic food on earth. If you start with Dagostino pasta, your main course won't only be romantic, it'll be gourmet quality!
The romance in this recipe comes from two sources: the luscious red color of our Dagostino chunky tomato sauce, and the romantic allusion hidden in the artichoke hearts.
Linguine With Artichokes and Tomato Sauce
To prepare this deceptively simple romantic main course, you will need:
- 12 oz of Dagostino Linguine Pasta
- 1 Jar of Dagostino Chunky Tomato Sauce
- 1 Jar quartered artichoke hearts
- A Tablespoon of Dagostino Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Grated parmesan cheese, to taste
Cook your pasta according to package directions, adding a tablespoon of Dagostino Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the water to prevent sticking.
While the linguine cooks, add your jar of Dagostino Chunky Tomato Sauce to a saucepan and simmer on low heat. Drain your jar of artichoke hearts and add them to the sauce mixture. Stir until it is heated through.
Add the cooked linguine to the saucepan and toss to coat, then transfer to a serving dish or individual plates. Add grated parmesan cheese to taste.
You will want to serve this delicious dish with some Italian bread so that you can enjoy every last drop of our incredible tomato sauce! Consider putting together a simple bread basket with fresh bread from a local bakery. What's more romantic than two hands brushing against each other while you both reach for the same piece of focaccia?
The Dessert Course
If you want to end your meal in sweet surrender, whipping up a homemade dessert is the way to go! What is more romantic than sharing an incredible slice of cake? The only way to improve it is to use Dagostino extra virgin olive oil to ensure the cake is perfectly moist every single time!
Easy Olive Oil Cake
To whip up our dreamy, super-soft olive oil cake, you will need:
- 2/3rd Cups of Dagostino Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 1/4 Cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3rd cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Lemon zest from one fresh lemon
Before you get started, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Oil a 9" round or square pan.
Combine all of your dry ingredients, and create a shallow well in the center. Add all of your wet ingredients to the well except for the lemon juice and zest. Stir until it is completely smooth.
Add both the lemon juice and zest, then pour the mixture into your oiled cake pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Before you slice the cake, wait for it to cool completely. You can add a romantic pop of color by topping your cake with colorful raspberries and strawberries. A dusting of powdered sugar elevates the aesthetics to the next level.
Fall In Love with Dagostino Linguine
You don't need to be a gourmet to arouse your taste buds! This simple, three-course date night recipe using incredible Dagostino ingredients will inspire passion in the kitchen and beyond! Do you have everything you need to get started crafting your romantic Italian feast?
Never fear — we thought of that, too! Visit our online store and pick up our Italian Date Night Box. It includes all of the key ingredients that you need to show off at the dinner table!