A family-friendly Valentine's Day dinner menu
By Colleen Tully
Recipes by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen
A hands-on dinner menu to share with family: chicken wings, quesadillas, baked shrimp, and whoopie pies for dessert.
Menu
- Glazed Almond Spritz Rosettes Cookies
- Tropical Coconut Macaroons
- Lebkuchen Cutout Cookies
- Java Cutouts
- Mini Chocolate Chunkies
- Cinnamon Biscotti Bites
- Pecan Sticks
- Hazelnut Rings
- Swedish Tea Rings
Suggested Recipes
- Candy Store Cupcakes
- Strawberry Blossom Cupcakes
- Rocky Road Cupcakes
- Easy Butter Icing
- Seven-Minute Frosting
- Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
- Easy Vanilla Cupcakes
- Berries and Chocolate Cupcakes
- Maple Chili Snack Mix
- Apricot Almond Energy Bars
Special occasion
Clockwise from left: Chinese Sticky Chicken Wings, Double-Garlic Baked Shrimp, Vegetables with Dill Pickle Dip, Smoky Quesadillas, Pomegranate Punch
Photography by Edward Pond
Chances are your kids are the results of Cupid's arrow, so why not share a loving Valentine's Day meal with everyone in the family? Forget the babysitter and expensive dinner in a crowded restaurant. This Valentine's Day menu guarantees sharing, laughter and love all around.
How to make it: Here we feature salty-sweet wings from your wok, saucy baked shrimp from the oven, and skillet quesadillas. Get the kids to make the veggies and dip and set the table, and you'll have this feast on the table in no time.
What are whoopie pies? Think of those chocolate Wagon Wheels, only 1000 times better. Homemade cream cheese filling is spread between two cakey chocolate cookies. They're very easy to make and your family will go wild for them. Happy Valentine's Day!
Recipes
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Chinese Sticky Chicken Wings
If you don't have five-spice powder, use 1/2 tsp (2 mL) cinnamon and pinch each ground cloves and pepper. -
Double-Garlic Baked Shrimp
In shallow 8-cup (2 L) baking dish, stir together tomatoes, garlic cloves, lemon, oil and salt. Bake in 425°F (220°C) oven, stirring halfway through... -
Smoky Quesadillas
Salsa verde (green salsa) is a mild sauce made from tomatillos and green hot peppers. Look for it in the Mexican section of your supermarket. -
Vegetables With Dill Pickle Dip
Dill Pickle Dip: Whisk together pickles, mayonnaise, tomato, vinegar, dill, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper; set aside in... -
Pomegranate Punch
Kids might like to top off their glasses with bubbly ginger ale or soda water. Adults can enjoy a shot of brandy or vodka mixed in. -
Whoopie Pies With Cream Cheese Filling
Made of two soft, cake-like cookies sandwiching icing, whoopie pies are thought to have origins with the Amish in the United States.






