This Valentine's Day, you could buy a card and a box of chocolates. You could send a dozen roses. You could make reservations at a fancy restaurant. In other words, you could be predictable.

Or, you could do something that really makes a statement: Cook!

There's nothing that says you care more than cooking. Think about it: you have taken the trouble to plan a menu; shop, prep and assemble the ingredients; set a table; serve a delicious meal; and clean up afterwards. Cooking is a gift of time and attention.

So this Valentine's Day, get cookin'. To help, we've created five complete menus — choose the theme that best suits your romantic style. What better way to say you care?

1. That's Amoré!
This Italian-inspired meal will transport you and your Valentine to a place where good food is practically the national pastime. Bon appetit!

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• Breadstick Focaccia

  Prep Time 15 min Total Time 40 min Servings 6 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/breadstick-focaccia/fde0770d-024d-46f9-ac1d-c94eff052878/?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Breadstick Focaccia recipe</a>

• Quinoa-Almond Salad

  Prep Time 20 min Total Time 35 min Servings 6 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/quinoa-almond-salad/1c32359a-3568-47e0-9846-42fe83e8af21?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Quinoa-Almond Salad recipe</a>

• Linguine with Red Clam Sauce

  Prep Time 30 min Total Time 60 min Servings 6 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/linguine-with-red-clam-sauce/e70206b5-0b33-46a1-9585-8a0f5af968df/?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Linguine with Red Clam Sauce recipe</a>

• Chocolate Affogato with Dulce de Leche Topping

  Prep Time 2 min Total Time 5 min Servings 4 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/chocolate-affogato-with-dulce-de-leche-topping/03fa9609-9179-4d86-961e-26026e9989d8?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Chocolate Affogato with Dulce de Leche Topping recipe</a>

2. Some Like It Hot
Why not make heat the theme of your special Valentine's meal together? There's no better way to thaw out a frosty February evening.

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• Spicy Bean and Cucumber Salad

  Prep Time 15 min Total Time 2 hr 15 min Servings 6 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/spicy-bean-and-cucumber-salad/aa3ef4c9-2a6e-4cb9-b005-2190da3bda9e?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Spicy Bean and Cucumber Salad recipe</a>

• Lettuce Bundles

  Prep Time 30 min Total Time 30 min Servings 24 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/lettuce-bundles/91ab396a-5e18-421a-b8ad-c916d7b437b2?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Lettuce Bundles recipe</a>

• Fiery Orange-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

  Prep Time 5 min Total Time 50 min Servings 3 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/fiery-orange-glazed-pork-tenderloin/f3fa223c-3521-4edd-b054-61aa7baa5139?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Fiery Orange-Glazed Pork Tenderloin recipe</a>

• Chocolate Hazelnut Lava Cakes

  Prep Time 10 min Total Time 25 min Servings 12 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/chocolate-hazelnut-lava-cakes-/c4e90365-d574-462f-afa3-6984bca7709d?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Chocolate Hazelnut Lava Cakes recipe</a>

3. Vive La Différence!
Remember a time when people couldn't imagine pairing salty with sweet? Then someone invented chocolate-covered pretzels — and the world will never be the same. For more earth-shattering flavor combinations, try these recipes.

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• Apple-Almond Tossed Salad

  Prep Time 10 min Total Time 10 min Servings 12 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/apple-almond-tossed-salad/929065ed-43fc-438d-b070-87696f3a0213?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Apple-Almond Tossed Salad recipe</a>

• Penne with Salmon and Roasted Vegetables

  Prep Time 20 min Total Time 50 min Servings 6 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/penne-with-salmon-and-roasted-vegetables/e617274b-442f-41a5-8f4f-91044327199e?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Penne with Salmon and Roasted Vegetables recipe</a>

• Healthified Sun-Dried Tomato Biscotti with Basil-Cream Cheese Topping

  Prep Time 20 min Total Time 1 hr 50 min Servings 32 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/healthified-sun-dried-tomato-biscotti-with-basil-cream-cheese-topping/1fe8682e-5118-4d26-9ca6-0e6d9dde2095?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Healthified Sun-Dried Tomato Biscotti with Basil-Cream Cheese Topping recipe</a>

• Caramelized Banana Bread Pudding

  Prep Time 35 min Total Time 2 hr 50 min Servings 12 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/caramelized-banana-bread-pudding/5628f3b3-992e-4f4a-b69a-2d1244964bff?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Caramelized Banana Bread Pudding recipe</a>

4. Any Age Appropriate
If your Valentine's dinner needs to be kid friendly, be sure to plan a meal that will appeal to eaters of all ages.

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• Oven-Fried Chicken Chunks with Peanut Sauce

  Prep Time 10 min Total Time 30 min Servings 8 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/oven-fried-chicken-chunks-with-peanut-sauce/9278bc1c-135c-4e31-bf94-1c42532f98f9?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Oven-Fried Chicken Chunks with Peanut Sauce recipe</a>

• Fruit Salad with Strawberry-Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

  Prep Time 30 min Total Time 30 min Servings 4 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/fruit-salad-with-strawberry-poppy-seed-vinaigrette/9881655a-8b83-4a8c-98a7-281b2b7a9ab4?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Fruit Salad with Strawberry-Poppy Seed Vinaigrette recipe</a>

• Bacon and Caramelized Onion Mac 'n Cheese

  Prep Time 55 min Total Time 1 hr 10 min Servings 12 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/bacon-caramelized-onion-macaroni-and-cheese-with-crispy-herb-topping-/ab297af0-6928-4121-b827-4318fcc55651?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Bacon and Caramelized Onion Mac 'n Cheese recipe</a>

• Healthified Chocolate Lovers' Brownies

  Prep Time 15 min Total Time 1 hr 45 min Servings 16 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/healthified-chocolate-lovers'-brownies/c54a829a-2745-4a7b-852f-c3bd9d8f69a5?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Healthified Chocolate Lovers' Brownies recipe</a>

5. Classical Elegance
This romantic, gourmet meal deserves to be served on the "good" dishes, lit by candlelight, and accompanied by a bottle of real Champagne.

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• Sesame Shrimp and Apple Salad

  Prep Time 10 min Total Time 15 min Servings 2 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/sesame-shrimp-and-apple-salad/d0f7d5b6-9c27-4bf6-bdac-f0585def0052/?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Sesame Shrimp and Apple Salad recipe</a>

• Mushroom Strudel Appetizer

  Prep Time 20 min Total Time 1 hr 5 min Servings 12 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/mushroom-strudel-appetizer/d2265f5d-d133-4e43-9f34-3bc8f2950ceb?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Mushroom Strudel Appetizer recipe</a>

• Béarnaise Steaks with Mushrooms

  Prep Time 10 min Total Time 25 min Servings 6 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/bearnaise-steaks-with-mushrooms/da3a704a-3465-46db-8ad5-8eec97e380c7/?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Béarnaise Steaks with Mushrooms recipe</a>

• Mexican Chocolate Raspberry Parfaits

  Prep Time 15 min Total Time 15 min Servings 4 <a href="http://www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes/mexican-chocolate-raspberry-parfaits/d296d217-2904-4191-a9e0-74144de5f80d/?nicam5=PARTNERSHIPS&nichn5=AOL&niseg5=TDCORE_LBA&esrc=16549">Get the Mexican Chocolate Raspberry Parfaits recipe</a>