Valentine’s Day is for lovers, and what better cuisine to woo your better half with than Italian? Italian cooking is defined by simple, fresh ingredients and its most popular dishes often are quick and easy to prepare. It especially is perfect if you want to make some points with your mate Sunday with a home-cooked meal. (There’s a reason a Valentine’s Day is referred to as “amateur night” at restaurants.)

Another reason the cuisine helps seal the deal is because Italy’s linguistic pantry overflows with colorful words that just sound delicious. Who wouldn’t be smitten with a starter of taleggio (a stinky, nutty cheese) smeared on crusty bread, or an entree that involves frutti de mare (seafood) or anything made with pomodoro (tomato). Red, after all, is the color of love.