While Valentine’s Day revolves most commonly around sweets and treats, here at The Modern East we have put together some of our favorite savory dishes to cook for your special someone. Remember, not everyone has a sweet tooth, so forget desserts and refer to the below for some Valentine’s Day meal inspo.

Love Toast

What’s better than waking up your loved one with breakfast in bed?

Ingredients

• 4 tsp. mayonnaise
• 2 slice white sandwich bread
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 2 large eggs
• salt
• Pepper
• Finely chopped capers
• Finely chopped fresh herbs

Directions

Spread mayonnaise on both sides of 2 slices white sandwich bread. With medium heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut centers from bread. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter on medium. Add bread (and centers) to skillet. Cook 5 minutes or until golden brown. Turn bread over. To each heart-shaped hole, add 1 large egg; sprinkle eggs with pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until whites are set. Sprinkle with finely chopped capers and herbs (such as parsley, chives or basil) if desired.

Heart-Shaped Lasagna

Be cheeeeesy, and show him you love him!

Ingredients

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• One 16-ounce box lasagna noodles
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• One 6-ounce can tomato paste
• One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 12 ounces ricotta
• 8 ounces shredded mozzarella (2 cups)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Special Equipment

10-cup heart-shaped Bundt pan

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles to al dente according to the package directions. Line a baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Drain the noodles and spread them flat on the baking sheet to dry them completely (you may need to create 2 to 3 layers to fit all of the noodles; put paper towels between each layer).
3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and just beginning to brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and oregano and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beef, 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of black pepper, and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon and stirring occasionally, until the beef is just cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until well incorporated and heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the tomatoes, sugar, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, mix the ricotta, mozzarella, eggs, Parmesan, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl.
5. Cut six noodles in half crosswise.
6. Line the bottom of a 10-cup heart-shaped Bundt pan with 4 of the half noodles (2 along the straight lines of the heart and 2 along the arches). Lay 12 whole noodles in the bottom of the pan, slightly overlapping and directly on top of the half noodles, making sure that one side of each noodle hangs 2 to 3 inches over the edge of the pan and the other side of the noodle runs up the center of the pan.
7. Pour 1 cup meat sauce on top of the noodles, then spread 1 cup of the ricotta mixture over the sauce. Top with 4 noodle halves. Repeat the layering 1 more time. Pour 1 cup meat sauce and spread the remaining ricotta mixture over the top (the ricotta mixture will be less than the 1 cup used in previous layers).
8. Fold the edges of the overhanging lasagna noodles the lasagna towards the center, covering the filling and the hole in the center completely. Bake until the noodles on top are turning golden brown and are starting to crisp up, 45 to 50 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes. Invert the pan onto a cutting board. Reheat the remaining sauce if necessary and pour into the center of the heart. Slice and serve immediately.