The Most Foolproof Valentine's Dinner

7 Valentine's Menus are coming your way this week -- for every scenario, whether you're wooing a first date or boycotting romance altogether.

No heart-shaped desserts allowed. Follow the action and share your stories at #NoMoreBadValentines.

Preparing a Valentine's Day dinner can seem daunting, especially for someone not-so-comfortable in the kitchen. But if you can chop, mash, stir, and spread ricotta on toast, you can pull off this menu. Each dish is a take-your-time dish, a kind dish, a forgiving dish -- all while staying impressive, elegant, and quietly simple.

Dust off your stove. Warm up your oven. And if all goes wrong, there's always champagne.

Champagne Cocktail by Erica Kotite

If you can pour champagne, you can make this cocktail. Bonus points: make a pretty twist.

 

Bruschetta with Ricotta, Honey and Lemon Zest by merrill

You can make toast, right? Just smear it with ricotta, drizzle it with honey, and sprinkle it with lemon zest. Repeat.

 

Kale Salad with Apples and Hazelnuts by amanda

You can toast the hazelnuts, shave the parmesan, and even dress the kale the night before Valentine's Day. Then, when it's time to serve, slice the apples and toss them in.

 

Spatchcocked Roast Chicken by merrill

Spatchcocking sounds scary. It's not. Follow our step-by-step guide, and get ready for the quickest, most forgiving roast chicken you'll ever cook.

 

Butternut Squash Puree by amanda

Butternut squash, olive oil, and cream. Mashed. 

 

Suspiciously Delicious Cabbage by fiveandspice

It's pretty impossible to mess this up: simply cook it until it tastes good.

 

Crispy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies by merrill

You can make these in advance, and then eat a few to make sure they're good (we promise: they will be). Serve with vanilla ice cram.

 

For more 5-Ingredient Valentine's Day recipes, try:

Diana Kennedy's Carnitas

Greek Mahogany Potatoes

Burnt Caramel Pudding