How to Craft a Valentine's Day Empanada Platter for Two

There is something special about sharing a handcrafted meal with someone you love. This Valentine’s Day skip the crowded restaurants and create something memorable right at your home with carefully curated empanada platters. Each bite tells a different story making them ideal for a romantic evening of sharing and discovering flavors. 

Empanada Mama offers the perfect blend of comfort and sophistication. You can have various options to choose from and pairing it with a drink and a side elevates the experience. To end your date night on a sweet note Empanada Mama offers sweet varieties like Nutella, caramel cheese, and many more

Why an Empanada Platter is the Perfect Romantic Dinner Idea

Romance blooms with sharing and empanadas embody this spirit perfectly. These handheld pastries transform the dinner into an interactive experience as each empanada becomes a conversation starter as you go on to explore the variety of fillings from savory to sweet ones. 

Each empanada tells a unique story. From traditional meat to rich vegetarian options allowing couples to customize it accordingly.  The thoughtfulness behind the creation of an empanada platter that is carefully selected according to your partner's preference commemorates shared experiences. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Empanada Platter

Choosing the Right Empanadas for Your Platter

Creating a balanced empanada platter requires the art of thoughtful selection. The key is to curate a mix that offers something for both partners. Keep both spicy and mild options so that you and your partner can choose as per their preferences.

Empanada Mama offers a variety of over 40 empanadas. Here you have the luxury to choose the right ones that suit you and your partner's taste. Some of the classic all-time favorite offerings include:
For the savory side there is Shredded Chicken spiced with fresh herbs and Cheeseburger empanadas, the American favorites are classics that offer comfort and familiarity.

For the sweet side, there is  Belgian and Banana, a decadent dessert that combines creamy chocolate with caramelized banana, a unique combination that balances both sweet and savory. On the special occasion of Valentine’s Day do try out the Romeo-Juliet, a crispy empanada filled with cheese and guava puree, where the slight saltiness of cheese cuts through the fruity guava puree, depicting your relationship with your partner.

Including Complementary Dips and Sauces

You can elevate your experience by adding some interesting and flavorful dipping sauces that complement the flavors.

You can pair your empanadas with some creamy fresh guacamole, a zesty, herbal chimichurri,  and if you want spicy looking for some extra kick then some spicy aioli that complements milder empanadas. Maybe even consider chocolate sauce for drizzling over sweet empanadas, this would also go well with caramel and cheese.

Adding Romantic Sides for a Complete Platter

You can complete your platter with thoughtful additions like some fresh strawberries dipped in hot chocolate a classic that adds some romantic elegance, a mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of empanadas, or even consider having a mini platter of artisan cheese and a cracker to add a sophisticated touch and as a palate cleanser giving the right snap.

Selecting the Perfect Beverage Pairings

Consider adding some sparkle to your meal with some fruity beverages to pair with your empanadas. For a refreshing light option, you can have some sparkling water with citrus slices. A fruity rosé is a romantic wine that pairs beautifully with diverse options. For non-alcoholic options, you can go for a passion fruit mocktail which adds a citrus punch, or even some herbal tea to give a cozy finish to an intimate meal.

Presentation Tips to Elevate Your Platter

Using Beautiful Silverware

Choose serving dishes that speaks to your style. Serveware like wooden boards or marble platters add sophistication, and elegant plates add soft romantic colors. Do add small dipping bowls for a clean presentation. 

Arranging the Empanadas for a Visual Appeal 

Create a visually stunning presentation by garnishing with some fresh herbs and edible flowers. You can place empanadas in a heart-shaped formation or even layer them in a circular or moon-shaped pattern. Layering sweet and savory empanadas adds a flavor contrast, giving a sweet-savory experience. Placing dipping bowls with appropriate labeling will give them a clean look and add convenience. 

Creating a Romantic Atmosphere

To create a more intimate Valentine’s experience use soft warm candlelight or even warm fairy lights around the room, dim the main lights , and use candle clusters instead. Use unscented candles to avoid competing with food aromas. To make it more cozy, create a playlist of romantic songs that are meaningful to your relationship. Scatter some rose petals around and beneath the table and place some small framed photos and love notes bringing that sense of nostalgia. You can even consider dressing up as if you're going to a fancy restaurant. 

Customizing Your Empanada Platter for Dietary Preferences

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

For couples navigating healthy eating options and plant-based diets here are a variety of options at Empanada Mama where you can try out cheese corn, basic veggie empanada, Greek spinach-pie, plant-based ground beef, Vegan Viagra, eggplant parmesan,  and many more.

Gluten-Free Alternatives

If you are ordering then call ahead and make a special request to prepare gluten-free empanada dough. Many places do provide that service. Also, request for careful handling to avoid cross-contamination.

Accommodating Sweet and Savory Preferences

Create a platter with a mixed selection of 3-4 savory and 1-2 sweet empanadas this creates a balanced platter providing enough savory and sweet options. If you and your partner have a sweet tooth then you can also consider adding some more varieties of sweet empanadas.

Making Your Valentine's Day Extra Special

Adding Thoughtful Personal Touches

To make your partner feel extra special tuck small personalized notes or messages between empanadas. You can also create handwritten menu cards creatively describing each empanada. 

Fun Activities to Pair with Your Dinner

To extend your evening beyond the meal, create a selection of romantic films to watch together as your savour the empanadas. Playing card games, creating a relationship timeline,  sharing relationship memories, or planning a slow dance post-dinner would end your date night on a memorable note.

Crafting Memories With Empanadas 

An empanada platter is more than just a meal – it's a pathway to a memorable conversation, sharing, and intimate connection. Each empanada tells a story, each bite creates a memory, and the entire experience becomes a testament to your unique relationship. 

Whether you're a couple that loves trying new things or one that cherishes familiar comforts, an empanada platter caters to both. It transforms a simple meal into an interactive, memorable experience that goes beyond traditional Valentine's Day celebrations.

Empanadas are the perfect metaphor for love as they are warm and comforting, full of surprising flavors, made to be shared, adaptable to individual tastes, and are a delightful blend of tradition and creativity.

This Valentine's Day, ditch the traditional and surprise your partner with a delicious and heartfelt empanada platter experience. Whether you're crafting it at home or picking it up from Empanada Mama, you're not just serving a meal – you're creating a memory, one delectable bite at a time.