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By: Sofia Senesie
February 14, 2024
As a single college student, I like to do Valentine’s Day on a BUDGET. This year, Valentine’s Day is in the middle of the week on a Wednesday. What’s up with that? Most everyone has some sort of class on Wednesday or potentially work on or off campus. It’s a busy day for everyone, so adding Valentine’s Day on top of that is more than a nuisance.
Thankfully, being nobody’s burden but my own, I can settle for an adult sip-sip at home, on the couch, watching Bridgerton (with zero expectations). Or, as a Bob Marley fan, I’ll be munching on popcorn watching Bob Marley: One Love in theatres.
But, not everyone is like me!
So, for the campus couples who want to go out for a lavish dinner, why not make it cute and sentimental whilst not breaking your pocket.
Naturally, you have to have a three course meal on such a day. Why, you ask? ROMANCE. Actually that’s not true. In reality, we want to be cheap, not look it. (All ingredients can be purchased at Walmart for reasonable prices. You’re welcome.)
THE MENU:
Appetizer: Crostini (Credit: Ambitious Kitchen)
Ingredients:
Baguette ($3)
Brie ($3-5)
Red grapes ($6)
Salt ($1)
Olive oil ($6)
Honey ($4)
Cooking Tools:
Knife
Oven safe dish
Aluminium foil
Instructions:
Unwrap the brie. Slice it like you’re drawing TIC TAC TOE, then pour a light drizzle of honey over it. Then, place it into an oven safe dish. Let it melt for about 20 minutes or until spreadable.
Alternate: If you don’t have an oven in your dorm, place the brie in a microwave safe dish and microwave for about two minutes.
Wash and dry the grapes. Line a tray with foil, then place the grapes on the foil. Drizzle olive oil and salt; a good amount, but not too generous. Place the tray of grapes into the oven. Let them cook until the grapes start slightly cracking open with a little foam (like it has rabies hehe).
Slice the baguette about the width of your thumb.
Toast the baguette to your liking in the oven. (It’s best when it’s nice and crunchy like a crostini.)
Alternate: Again, if you don’t have an oven you can just place the bread in the microwave, although you won’t have the same crunch effect.
Spread the brie on the sliced baguette pieces, place about three grapes on the cheese and enjoy!
Entree: Carbonara
Ingredients:
Spaghetti ($1)
Shredded Cheese ($3)
Bacon or Prosciutto ($4-5)
Olive Oil ($6)
Eggs ($4-5)
Black pepper
Kosher salt
Cooking Utensils:
Pot
Strainer
Pan
Bowl
Instructions:
For the carbonara, start by boiling the pasta. (If you don’t know how to boil pasta, Google is your bestie. Don’t forget the salt.)
While you wait for the pasta to finish boiling, prep the other ingredients. Remove the bacon from the packaging and cut it about the size of the first segment of your finger.
Whisk four egg yolks and two eggs in a medium sized bowl. Add in the shredded cheese. Add a sprinkle of black pepper.
In a pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add and cook the bacon, until crispy around the edges.
Take the pot off the heat, remove the bacon, and place it in a small bowl. Pour some of the fatty oil into a bowl and discard the rest. Add 3 tablespoons of the oil into the pan.
By now, the pasta should be done boiling. Add one cup of the pasta water and the pasta to the pot/pan with oil.
Cook the pasta and stir until the water is reduced (about 2 minutes).
Remove pot from heat.
Mix the ¼ cup of pasta water into the egg mixture. Then, slowly pour that into the pot while stirring constantly. Then pour the rest of the pasta water and mix until the consistency is like heavy cream.
Add a little salt if needed.
Add in the bacon.
Put pasta on plates, garnish with pepper and shredded cheese, and enjoy!
Dessert: Affogato (Ice Cream with Espresso)
Ingredients:
Vanilla ice cream
Coffee
Instructions:
For the affogato, grab your ice cream (I prefer vanilla for this), scoop into a bowl or cup, make a dent in the ice cream for the coffee.
Make a cup of coffee.
Pour the coffee onto the ice cream.
Enjoy!
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