Valentine's Day Meal

Notice to all our Cool Dads: Sunday is Valentine's Day!! While we're not promoting expensive jewelry, overpriced floral bouquets, or stale boxes of chocolates; we do think it's important to celebrate the special person/people in your life. What better way to show your love than with a homecooked meal? Food is love, people!

We have an easy to follow (and affordable) menu guaranteed to show your loved ones how much you care... as well as your mad skills in the kitchen. 

Cool Dads Valentine's Day Menu

-Green Salad -Penne a la Vodka with Shrimp 
-Cheesy Garlic Dinner Rolls
-Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta

We've provided the step-by-step recipe directions below; as well as a timeline; to ensure all elements of your meal are completed at the same time. 


Penne a la Vodka with Shrimp
Recipe inspired by: Julia's Album

The name of this dish only sounds fancy; vodka sauce is incredibly easy to make, and the end result is a rich, creamy tomato sauce that pairs perfectly with shrimp and fresh Parmesan cheese. 
If your Valentine isn't a fan of shellfish, you can easily substitute cooked chicken, or omit meat all together. 
Also, if you're making this dish for the family, don't worry about the vodka; the alcohol burns off making it a family friendly meal. 

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
14 oz canned tomatoes
3/4 cup vodka
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon basil (if you have fresh basil - use more)
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup half & half
3/4 teaspoon salt or more
8 oz penne pasta 

1 lb cooked shrimp, tails removed
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

In a large skillet, saute onion and garlic in olive oil on medium heat, until onion softens.

Add tomatoes, vodka, crushed red pepper, basil, oregano - break tomatoes if necessary.

Bring the mixture to boil. Reduce to simmer and simmer, covered, occasionally stirring, for about 20 minutes or until sauce thickens. During the last 10 minutes, add mushrooms, and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
While on low heat, add heavy cream and half & half to the sauce and stir
everything to ensure even consistency. Add 3/4 teaspoon of salt or more to season the sauce.

In the meantime, cook pasta according to package instructions. Rinse cooked pasta with cold water and drain (this stops pasta from cooking and prevents it from being too mushy). Add cooked and rinsed pasta and shrimp to the sauce. Reheat the sauce on low heat to heat everything through.
Serve each plate topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cheesy Garlic Dinner Rolls

Recipe courtesy of Tasty

1 can Pillsbury biscuit dough

3 tablespoons melted butter

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. 

Cut each piece of biscuit dough into quarters and place in a medium sized bowl. 

Add the melted butter, garlic powder and mozzarella cheese; combine well with your (clean!!!) hands or a large spoon. 

Spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Place 3 pieces of biscuit dough into each muffin tin.

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. 

Let cool slightly before serving. 

Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta

The Wisconsin Test Kitchen attended a cooking class a few weeks ago; and one of the things we learned was how easy and delicious Panna Cotta can be. Panna cotta is a simple, Italian custard dish that can be made a variety of different ways. Since it's Valentine's Day, we opted for a chocolate version. 

2/3 cup skim milk, divided
2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4.4 ounces dark chocolate (60% cacao), finely chopped
1½ cup plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
Topping (optional):
whipped cream
dark chocolate, coarsely chopped

Pour 1/4 cup of milk into a small bowl, and sprinkle the gelatin on top. When the gelatin softens, after about 10 minutes, stir the two together until combined.
In a medium saucepan bring to a gentle simmer the remaining milk, vanilla and sugar.

Add the gelatin, and whisk until the gelatin has fully dissolved into the hot milk.
Melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water. 

Pour the warm milk mixture into the chocolate. 

Stir until the chocolate has melted then stir in the Greek yogurt until fully combined.

Pour the final mixture into small glasses, bowls, or ramekins. Refrigerate for 3- 4 hours or overnight.

Serve the chocolate panna cotta with whipped cream, coarsely chopped chocolate and a sprig of fresh mint.

Cooking Timeline

The Night Before

- Prepare Panna Cotta and refrigerate overnight.

- If you're serving white wine, champagne or beer, make sure it's in the fridge and chilling. 

An hour before dinner

- Prepare the dinner rolls, set off to the side.

-Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees  

- Make dinner salads. Use fresh lettuce (bagged is fine, just make sure you rinse) and salad toppings of your choice.

- Set the table. Light candles, use the nice china- go all out! It's a special occasion!

45 minutes before dinner

- Start preparing the pasta dish. 

- Once the sauce is set to simmer, start boiling water for the penne pasta.

20 minutes before dinner

- When the pasta sauce only has ten minutes left to simmer, put the dinner rolls in the oven to bake for 15 minutes. 

And there you have it! An easy to prepare, impressive Valentine's Dinner. Please let us know if you try these recipes, and what you think. We love our loyal readers; and we're proud to have you as our Valentines!

Stay Cool,
The Cool Dads Crew