Happy Valentine’s Day from The Skinny Chef! 💕🍽

Hey, Skinny readers! Happy Valentine’s Day to you all! I hope you've had a fantastic week. Today, we’re celebrating love—whether that means sharing it with a special someone, your friends, family, or yourself!

I feel incredibly blessed to have found my person, and we’ll be celebrating our love today. But if you’re flying solo this Valentine’s Day, don’t stress! There’s absolutely no need to feel miserable.

This day is about love in all forms—including self-love! Treat yourself to a great meal, enjoy a cozy night in, or take the opportunity to meet new people. Or, if you’re in the mood to cook, I’ve got you covered with some simple, delicious, and healthy recipe ideas that are perfect for the occasion. And of course, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite healthy desserts straight from my book, The Skinny Chef Diaries.

Let’s make this Valentine’s Day special, no matter how you’re celebrating! ❤️

Delicious & Healthy Valentine’s Meal Ideas 🍓🥗

If you’re planning a cozy night in, here are three simple yet romantic meals that are both healthy and absolutely delicious:

Grilled Salmon with Lemon Garlic Asparagus 🐟🍋

A light yet flavorful dish that’s packed with heart-healthy omega-3s! Pair with a side of quinoa or roasted sweet potatoes for a satisfying meal.

Quick Tip: Add a glass of red wine for an extra touch of romance (and antioxidants!).

Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Avocado Pesto 🥑🍝

A low-carb twist on pasta! This dish is creamy, dreamy, and full of healthy fats. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to make. Just blend avocado, garlic, lemon juice, and basil for a quick pesto sauce and toss it with spiralized zucchini noodles.

Want more protein? Add grilled shrimp or chicken on top!

Dark Chocolate-Covered Strawberries (Guilt-Free!) 🍫🍓

This classic Valentine’s treat gets a healthy upgrade! Use high-quality dark chocolate (70% or higher) and drizzle over fresh strawberries. It’s simple, elegant, and full of antioxidants.

Unique & Budget-Friendly Valentine’s Gift Ideas 🎁💡

You don’t need to break the bank to make someone feel special! Here are some thoughtful and creative gift ideas for him or her:

For Him:

❤️ DIY "Open When" Letters 

Write a set of letters for different occasions (e.g., Open when you need a laugh, Open when you miss me). Super meaningful and free!

❤️ Personalized Playlist 

Create a custom Spotify playlist with songs that remind you of your best memories together.

❤️ Homemade Spice Blend 

If he loves to cook, make a custom spice mix in a cute jar with a handwritten recipe suggestion!

For Her:

💖 A Handwritten Love Letter 

Forget texts—write a heartfelt letter she can keep forever.

💖 DIY Spa Kit – Fill a basket with homemade body scrubs, face masks, and herbal teas for a relaxing self-care night.💖 

Memory Jar – Write down special moments and reasons why you love her on little notes, then put them in a jar for her to read anytime.

Coconut Panna Cotta with Raspberry Compote

Panna cotta (Italian for ‘cooked cream’) is an Italian dessert of sweetened cream thickened with gelatine and moulded. The name panna cotta is not mentioned in Italian cook books before the 1960s.

One unverified story says it was invented by a Hungarian woman in Langhe in the 1900s, yet it is often cited as a traditional dessert from the northern Italian region of Piedmont. In this healthy recipe, the cream has been substituted with coconut milk. Extracted from the flesh of mature coconuts, it contains lauric acid and benefits health in stimulating weight loss, lowering cholesterol and boosting the immune system.

Raspberries are low in calories and contain small amounts of vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, calcium and zinc, and are also high in fibre and tannin that may help with controlling blood sugar levels.

Ingredients

• 1 x 400ml can coconut milk

• 1 – 1.5 teaspoon agar agar powder

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 100g castor sugar

• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup

• 1 cup water

Serves 4

Method

1. Bring 1 cup/240ml of water to the boil, and then stir in the agar agar.

   
   

2. Reduce to a simmer and stir constantly for 5 minutes, making sure no agar agar gets stuck to the bottom.

   
   

3. Take off the heat and add the coconut milk, vanilla and maple syrup. Whisk to ensure all the coconut fat is melted.

   
   

4. Pour into 4 small serving dishes, leave to cool then move to the fridge to set. It only needs to cool for about 30 minutes to set. The dairy-free panna cotta is ready to eat or keep in the fridge where it will last several days.

   
   

5. Blend together the berries, dates and lemon juice with a few tablespoons of water.

   
   

6. Pour some berry compote on top of the now set panna cottas and serve

Final Thoughts 💕

Thanks for tuning in, Skinny readers! Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, or simply loving yourself today, make it special! Take the time to enjoy good food, great company, and little moments of joy.

Wishing you all love, health, and happiness today and always. Same time, same place next week! 😘

Xoxo, The Skinny Chef

Creative Director: Shadre Leonard