I’m having my BF and another couple over for dinner on V-Day and wonder if you could help me put together a menu that looks like it took forever but isn’t really too hard or time-consuming. Janet P.

We have just the thing for you: a fool-proof, easy, mostly make-ahead menu that will WOW your guests. Here it is, with notes on each dish. All of the recipes are from the Trufflehead app (duh!).

Double Celery Soup
This opalescent pale green soup is thick and luxurious, without any help from butter, flour, or cream. It’s sophisticated and fancy even though the ingredients are humble. The celery-celeriac blend has a subtle, mysterious, earthy flavor. Preparation couldn’t be easier: just chop, sauté, simmer, and puree. You can make it Sunday and then reheat Tuesday in the microwave or on top of the stove. Serve with crusty whole grain rolls.

Porcini-Crusted Beef Tenderloin Steaks
Tenderloin is the leanest cut of beef, so it’s the healthiest, but it isn’t cheap. You can get enough to feed 2 people for about $12, plus an extra $2 for dried porcini to coat them. The mushrooms add a musky pheromone to the luscious meat. Grind the porcini and mince the shallots in advance to limit last-minute effort. This recipe is our featured dish this week.

Chard with Raisins
Red chard is the queen of greens—with looks and flavor to match its nutritional pedigree. Mild, silky leaves provide a nice foil for the edgy porcini; crisp-tender stems play off the buttery beef. Raisins balance the tart, wine-y sauce. If you precook the chard, you can finish it in less time and less oil than you’d need otherwise. Blanch and dry it in advance, and then give it a quick toss in a skillet while you sear the steaks.

Chocolate Mocha Swirl Cheesecake
Warning: Adult Content—a creamy, crust-less, no-bake cheesecake with chocolate and coffee flavors in a sexy light-and-dark swirl. Your valentine will never guess it’s low in fat and calories. It takes at least 2 hours to chill, so you might want to prepare it the night before.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!