Celebrate love with Bachelor Nation!

Valentine’s Day is approaching, and here at Bachelor Nation, we love any excuse to cheers to love.

And the key to some Bachelor Nation stars’ hearts is actually through their stomachs.

Enjoying food together, whether that’s a home-cooked meal or a fancy date night out, is an extremely special way to connect.

So Bachelor Nation fan-favorite couple Serene Russell and Brandon Jones are sharing their favorite romantic recipes.

Check out their exclusive interview with BachelorNation.com below!

Bachelor Nation: First of all, happy first Valentine’s Day as a couple! Such an exciting time filled with love. Speaking of love, is there a type of food you find to be the most romantic?

Serene Russell: Awww, yes, thank you so much! So exciting. For me, pasta or really any Italian food feels the most romantic to me. And obvi pasta gives you a chance to “Lady and the Tramp” kiss 😅.

Brandon Jones: Thank you! And for me, anything chocolate hits the romantic spot. I’m surprised you said Italian food, Serene! I thought for sure you’d say mashed potatoes. Those are the way to your heart.

BN: Both mashed potatoes and pasta sound like they can be super romantic! Do you have a favorite meal your significant other has made for you?

SR: Brandon makes a really good salmon and asparagus dish. His salmon is beautiful and he always does the little lemon slices on top! Such a nice touch!

BJ: Oooh, Serene cooks up a mean steak and potatoes!

BN: Yum! And what about a favorite meal you’ve made for your significant other?

SR: Brandon was right. I love making a pot roast over mashed potatoes. Potatoes are one thing I can make really well from scratch!

BJ: I also agree, my sautéed salmon with roasted veggies is the best. Can’t forget a giant glass of wine too!

BN: Love it! Do you two have any plans for a romantic Valentine’s Day meal?

SR: Yes! For our first Valentine’s Day, we are definitely going out to eat, but if I could pick something to make, it’d be something really hearty and comfortable — I’d do my pot roast again! The ingredients and instructions to make it are below.

INGREDIENTS:

Roast

Beef stock (1 cup)

Pot roast packet

Baby carrots

1 onion

Green beans

Banana peppers

Brown gravy packet

Mashed potatoes

Salt and pepper

Butter or margarine

Cream cheese (optional)

Garlic powder

DIRECTIONS:

I put the roast in my slow cooker and pour in the roast packet mixed with 1 cup beef broth. I add my veggies (measure with your heart lol), then I do half the jar of mild banana pepper juice and however many peppers I want. Near the end, I add a brown gravy packet.

You can cook on high for 4 hours, but it’s better to do low and slow at 6 hours!

Mashed Potatoes:

Wash your potato of choice (I use russet often). Cut into cubes or thin slices (the thinner, the faster they’ll cook). I don’t really skin them — the skin holds a lot of nutrients and tastes good!

Boil potatoes in a large pot until they are fork tender. Dump water.

Mash and add butter or margarine (again, measure with your heart 😂. I like to look for a specific color to know how much). If you’re feeling really wild, add a little softened cream cheese and let it melt. Mash until desired consistency is met.

Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.