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Saturday, November 7, 2026Nov 7

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Top five surefire Valentine’s Day dishes to cook at home

Lobster tail stuffed with shrimp, Ritz crackers and blood oranges.
Lobster tail stuffed with shrimp, Ritz crackers and blood oranges. Lobster tail stuffed with shrimp, Ritz crackers and blood oranges.

Lobster is a surefire dish for Valentine’s Day, but if you’re looking to reignite an old flame or spark a new romance, there are plenty of options from which to choose.

Barry and Kelley Courter picked a few of their favorites from the last four years of their monthly Courter’s Kitchen feature in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

* If you really want to impress someone, this Coq au Vin will do the trick.

photo Coq au vin is a delicious French dish with chicken, carrots, bacon, garlic and onions slowly cooked with red wine.

* Everyone loves shrimp and grits, and this recipe is amazing.

photo With a little attention, shrimp and grits can be the perfect meal for a special occasion or family gathering.

* Faced with a little adversity, Kelley managed to take a challenge and make it taste delicious.

photo Lights-Out Ragu is served with beans, grilled sausage and grilled garlic ciabatta bread. It is topped with shaved parmesan.

* The Gazebo was once a favorite restaurant for many Chattanoogans on a date, and this Beef Wellington dish was popular among patrons.

photo Kelley and Barry Courter say this Beef Wellington dish brings back holiday memories of Dickens Dinners hosted by the Gazebo, once a fine dining establishment on Georgia Avenue.