Romantic Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu

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Valentine’s Day is coming up fast. Skip the overpriced restaurant meals and prepare a romantic and heart-healthy meal for your special someone!

Don’t worry, you don’t have to go overboard with the preparation. These recipes are so easy, I showed them in 5 minutes on CTV Ottawa Morning Live!

Your Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day Entree

For your entree, you want a recipe with a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Plus some leafy greens, of course, because after all… I am a dietitian 😉

Here’s the full recipe for Pesto Salmon with Lentil Almond Pilaf inspired by this recipe from Canadian Lentils.

The heart-healthy ingredients in this entree include lentils, almonds and salmon.

Disclosure: The Almond Board of California, Canadian Lentils are clients of mine and I’m lucky to work with them. They are some of the healthiest (and my favourite) foods!

Heart Health Benefits of Almonds

Almonds are rich in fibre and protein to help keep you satisfied so you can better manage your weight. Did you know your weight and your waistline impact heart health? Having a healthy weight reduces your risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Heart Health Benefits of Lentils

Lentils contain plant protein and they’re an excellent source of fibre to help lower cholesterol levels.

Added bonus: they’re also quick and easy to make compared to other pulses because you don’t have to soak them before cooking.

Heart Health Benefits of Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which can lower triglycerides.

Your Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day Dessert

And what would Valentine’s Day be without dessert… specifically, chocolate?

Heart Health Benefits of Chocolate

Chocolate is heart healthy because its rich in flavanols, antioxidants that can improve blood flow to the heart and brain, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

That’s why it’s the star of my Dark Chocolate Fondue with Fresh Fruit, inspired by this recipe by Lindt Canada.

Because chocolate is the main ingredient in this recipe, its important you choose excellent quality chocolate. I love using Lindt 85% or 90% dark chocolate because they use only premium ingredients. That high percentage of chocolate also tells you you’re getting plenty of antioxidants. Lindt have been experts at making chocolate since 1879, so they have it mastered!

Disclosure: I’m excited to be working with Lindt Canada, as their chocolate really does taste incredible. They take excellent chocolate seriously (and so do I)!

All you need to do to create your chocolate fondue is boil some milk or coconut milk, then remove it from the heat and stir in your chopped chocolate until it melts. You can either pour it into a fondue pot or drizzle it over fresh fruit kabobs.