5 Eco-Friendly Singles Valentine’s Day Recipes for the Perfect One-Person Party

Every year on Valentine's Day, couples from around the globe express their love for one another with sweet nothings, curated gifts, or sinfully delicious desserts. But for those who are flying solo, February 14th means pushing aside piles of cards with red hearts, boxed chocolates, and stuffed teddy bears. Luckily, this year, you can say goodbye to the usual two-people V-Day activities and start new solo traditions, like cooking solo and pampering yourself with a nice home-cooked meal. More than that, since we are all in a committed relationship with the planet, we ensured the following recipes are sustainable, meaning they produce as little waste as possible. So, are you ready to get started with our eco-friendly singles Valentine's Day recipes? Cue the small pots and pans!

Bacon Lettuce Chickpea Salad

Even though it sticks to just a handful of flavors, this salad still manages to delight with the likes of savory bacon and a tangy vinaigrette. The roasted garlic chickpeas serve as stand-in croutons, making the salad a tad fancier and Valentine's Day-worthy.

Ingredients:

for the roasted chickpeas:

• 1 cup dehydrated garbanzo beans
• 1/2 tsp dried garlic (granulated)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

for the salad:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Juice of one lemon
• 2/3 cup textured soy protein (TSP) bacon bits
• 1 head romaine lettuce
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Add the chickpeas to a small pot, fill with enough water to coat, and boil over medium heat. Cook for 30-35 minutes or until fork-tender. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°F and line a small baking pan with parchment paper. Once the chickpeas are cooked, drain the water, coat with olive oil, season with garlic and salt, and spread evenly across the pan. Roast for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to a large bowl.

Add all the remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss to combine. Enjoy!

Ramenara (Ramen Carbonara)

Combining ramen's single-serving convenience and carbonara's deliciousness, this fusion dish is the perfect choice for a decadent yet eco-friendly singles Valentine's Day meal. And since you don't have anyone but yourself to impress with this meal, we recommend swapping the usual pancetta with sausage bits.

Ingredients:

• Two packets of instant ramen noodles
• 3/4 cup textured soy protein (TSP) sausage bits
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Add the sausage to a bowl and fill with enough warm water to coat. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, drain the water and squeeze away excess liquid. Set aside.

Cook the ramen noodles in a pot according to the package's instructions without adding the flavor sachets. Make sure to reserve 3 tbsp of the noodle water. Once cooked, set aside.

Add the egg, egg yolk, noodle water, and Parmesan cheese to a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.

Add the butter to a small saucepan and melt it over medium heat. Sauté the sausage for 4-5 minutes.

Combine the noodles, egg-cheese sauce, and sautéed sausage in a pot and serve.

Baked Chicken & Gnocchi with Creamy Pesto

When you think of pesto, chances are you think of pasta. But in this innovative recipe, pesto dresses up a simple bake of chicken and gnocchi, proving it's as versatile as ever. Despite its fancy looks, the dish also requires little effort, so you can spend more time pampering yourself than cooking for a group or doing any other typical Valentine's Day couples' activity.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup refrigerated gnocchi
• 1/2 cup textured soy protein (TSP) chicken bits
• 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken stock
• 3 tbsp dried onions
• 1/4 tsp dried garlic (granulated)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp white wine
• 1/4 cup basil leaves
• 1/2 tbsp heavy cream
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 tbsp toasted almonds
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Add the chicken to a bowl and fill with enough warm water to coat. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, drain the water, squeeze away excess liquid, and set aside. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°F.

Add the olive oil to a large oven-proof skillet and heat over medium heat. Stir in the chicken, onion, and garlic and sauté for 4-5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one more minute.

Pour in the wine and simmer while scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 3-4 minutes.

Pour in the broth and cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the gnocchi, season with salt and pepper, and transfer to the oven. Bake for 10 minutes or until the chicken and gnocchi are cooked through. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, make the pesto. Add the basil leaves, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese to a blender, season with salt, and blitz until creamy. Dollop the pesto onto the bake and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Chocolate Chip Banana Mug Cake

The best part about this recipe (besides being ready in under 5 minutes) is that it doesn't require any special equipment. All you need is a heat proof mug and a microwave. Plus, the ingredients are measured to the tee, so a) it's destined for solo nibbling, and b) it's zero waste. Could it get any better?

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup freeze dried bananas
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp whole milk
• 1/4 cup self-raising flour
• 4 tbsp light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp pecans, crushed
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp whipped cream
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

Add the bananas to a small bowl and fill with warm water to coat. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, drain the water and squeeze away excess liquid. Transfer the bananas to a 350ml/12 oz mug and mash with a fork.

Beat in the oil, milk, and egg until combined. Then, add the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt and mix again to combine. Fold in the pecans and chocolate chips.

Cook the mug cake in the microwave for 3 minutes. Top with the whipped cream and serve immediately.

Cherry Sidecar Cocktail

Sip on this super sweet sidecar cocktail to make this singles Valentine's Day even more special. Adding cherries to the drink makes it a tad more sweet than usual. Plus, its flavor pairs well with the ramenara and chicken bake we shared before.

Ingredients:

• 5 freeze dried cherries
• 1/4 cup cognac
• 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp triple sec
• 1 tsp agave nectar

Instructions:

Add the cherries to a cup and fill with enough water to coat. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, drain the water and transfer to a shaker. Mash the berries gently to release their juices.

Add ice and the remaining ingredients to the shaker and shake to combine. Transfer the cocktail to a tall glass and enjoy.

What are your suggestions for an eco-friendly singles Valentine's Day dinner? Let us know in the comments down below!

References:

https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/ramenara-ramen-carbonara-recipe/80u7r8qe

https://www.sprinklesandsprouts.com/chicken-pesto-gnocchi/

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