Ingredients:

• 1 lb spaghetti or fettuccine pasta
• 4 strips of bacon, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Salt to taste
• Optional: chopped parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
2. In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, grated parmesan cheese, and black pepper until well combined.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the bacon and garlic.
6. Remove the pan from heat and pour the egg mixture over the pasta, tossing quickly to evenly coat the pasta.
7. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
8. Season with salt to taste.
9. Transfer the pasta to a serving platter and garnish with chopped parsley or chives, if desired.
10. Serve hot and enjoy your quick and easy carbonara pasta!

Note: You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some extra heat, or use pancetta instead of bacon for a more traditional flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb angel hair pasta
• 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 large lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the angel hair pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add the cooked shrimp to the pan and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Squeeze in the lemon juice and toss to evenly coat the shrimp.
6. Stir in the chopped parsley and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
8. Serve the shrimp scampi over the cooked angel hair pasta.
9. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.
10. Serve hot and enjoy your spicy and flavorful shrimp scampi!

Note: You can also add white wine or chicken broth to the sauce for extra depth of flavor, or use other types of pasta, such as linguine or fettuccine.

• 6 cups baby spinach leaves
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/4 cup pecan pieces, toasted
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette

For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the balsamic vinaigrette.
2. In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, toasted pecan pieces, and crumbled feta cheese.
3. Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and toss to evenly coat.
4. Serve the salad immediately and enjoy the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Note: You can also add other ingredients to the salad, such as sliced red onions, avocado, or grilled chicken for a complete meal. You can also substitute the feta cheese with goat cheese or blue cheese, or use a different type of nut, such as almonds or walnuts.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of whole grain bread
• 4 slices of cheddar cheese
• 4 slices of ham
• 4 thin slices of Granny Smith apple
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

1. Preheat a large non-stick pan over medium heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard and honey to make the mustard-honey spread.
3. Spread the mustard-honey mixture evenly on two slices of the bread.
4. Place a slice of cheddar cheese, two slices of ham, and two thin slices of Granny Smith apple on top of each slice of bread with the mustard-honey spread.
5. Top each sandwich with another slice of bread.
6. Spread the room temperature butter evenly on the outside of each sandwich.
7. Place the sandwiches in the preheated pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
8. Serve the grilled cheese warm and enjoy the combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.

Note: You can also add additional ingredients, such as bacon, caramelized onions, or a fried egg, to make this grilled cheese even more satisfying. You can also use a different type of cheese, such as Gouda, Swiss, or fontina, depending on your preference. To make this dish a little healthier, you can use low-fat cheese and whole wheat bread.

Whether you're cooking for a loved one or just want to treat yourself, these recipes are a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day in under 20 minutes. Happy cooking!