Valentine’s Day can be one of the most hated days of the year, but no fear, ladies! Who needs a significant other when you can grab your best girl friends, 5 bottles of Pinot Grigio, and these simple ingredients to start cooking up this year’s go-to Galentine’s Day menu? 

Appetizer: The only bouquet you’ll need AND want this Galentine’s Day- Pizza Roses!

Pizza Roses

(Photo: Pinterest)

(Adapted from a Buzzfeed Tasty recipe)

Dinner: The only thing better than carbs…VODKA. Here’s how to use BOTH this Galentine’s Day: Penne Alla Vodka

Penne Alla Vodka

(Photo: Food Network)

(Adapted from a Food Network recipe)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 1  medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 cup of vodka
• 1 14-ounce can tomato puree or tomato sauce
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 generous pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons of salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Grated Parmesan (for plating/garnishing)

(If your cooking skills exceed our basic vodka sauce recipe, feel free to grill up some shrimp or chicken for extra flavor and texture!)

Directions for Sauce:

•     Start by sautéing your minced garlic and finely chopped onion with your 2                   tablespoons of butter and all of your olive oil
•      Pour in your vodka but be sure to be careful when pouring over an open flame            (can cause a small fire)
•      Cook the vodka until the alcohol is reduced (about 2-3 minutes after being placed      into the pan) and then begin to pour the tomato puree or tomato sauce into the          pan.
•      Stir until sauce is mixed thoroughly and then place on medium to low heat
•      Pour in the heavy cream and stir sauce, again, mixing thoroughly
•      Reduce heat to a low heat so sauce can simmer
•      Lastly, add the last tablespoon of butter in the sauce
•      For preference, add chili flakes and parmesan cheese to individual servings
•      Add any grilled shrimp or chicken if desired

(And for those ladies who prefer to cut the cooking time in half, feel free to buy any jar of premade vodka sauce at your local grocery store)

Directions for Pasta:

•      Boil water, adding a generous amount of salt
•      Once water is at a boil, cook the penne pasta for 11-13 minutes (depending on              how well done you would like your pasta)
•      Drain and add a touch of olive oil to reduce any sticking of the penne pasta
• ·    Add the penne pasta to your sauce and enjoy!

Dessert: And once you’ve finished stuffing yourself with pizza and pasta, convince yourself that this dessert is your serving of fruit for the day: Mixed Berries and Mascarpone Cream Deconstructed Trifle.

Mixed Berries and Mascarpone Cream Deconstructed Trifle

(Photo: Necessary Indulgences)

(Adapted from Necessary Indulgences)

Ingredients:

•      8 ounce container of Mascarpone cheese
•      1 cup of Heavy Cream
•      ½ a cup of Powdered Sugar
•      1 teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Extract
•      Preferred amount of any mixed berries!

Directions

•    Mix together in a large mixing bowl the mascarpone cheese, heavy cream,                  powdered sugar, and pure vanilla extract
•    Start by laying your berries then cream mixture and boom! A deconstructed berry      and cream trifle!

·      ~ENJOY~calories don’t count on Galentine’s Day)

And there you have it, ladies. Instead of sulking about your ex-boyfriend while simultaneously playing sentimental Drake songs on repeat, cook this delicious and easy meal. You and your best friends can get drunk on wine and, quite possibly, the vodka sauce. Happy eating and Happy Galentine’s Day!

-Anna Weber