Romantic Dinners to Cook at Home on Valentine's Day
Posted by HaileyHome Staff on
No matter what your cooking experience or dietary needs are, there is always a way to make a romantic date night dinner at home on Valentine's Day. It's easy to get overwhelmed by all of the recipes all over the web, so we're sharing our top 2 totally fool proof recipes that will make this Valentine's Day the best one yet (and maybe even the cheapest!)
An Upscale Staple: Surf n Turf
I know what you're thinking - no way am I making lobster and filet at home! Surf and turf doesn't have to necessarily break the bank. One of our favorite ways to bring a simple surf and turf to the dinner table is with deliciously seasoned shrimp and your favorite cut of steak.
A little butter, garlic, and a cast iron pan goes a long way when cooking steak and shrimp at home. If you have a favorite marinade, start with marinading your steak or letting it rest for a few minutes with salt and pepper on it. Heat up about 2-3 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic in your cast iron pan and sear the steak on both sides for about 5 minutes (depending on thickness and how you like your steak cooked). The beauty of the cast iron pan is that you can throw it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 4-5 minutes to cook the steak inside a little more if you like your steaks well done. Once you're happy, remove the steak from the pan and let it rest on a cutting board with juice grooves to keep the juices from spilling onto the counter.
While the steak rests to soak up the juices, you can start the shrimp. You may need to add a little more butter and garlic to the pan and let that simmer for a minute or two, then add in peeled and deveined shrimp. The pan is going to be hot, so the shrimp will cook fast. Be sure to flip it on both sides so they cook evenly.
It's that easy. One pan, simple ingredient surf and turf. Sprinkle a little parsley on top and enjoy a delicious and romantic meal at home!
Vegetarian Meals Can Be Romantic Too
Two words: Mushroom Ravioli. It's delicious in a garlic cream sauce or paired with sautéed spinach and red pepper flakes. If you're feeling ambitious, you can make your own ravioli like our friend The Pasta Table, or you can pick up pre-made ravioli at your local grocery store or farmer's market.
If you're not afraid of dairy, homemade Alfredo is super easy to whip up while you're boiling your ravioli. Bring a pint of heavy whipping cream to a simmer and stir in fresh minced garlic, salt, pepper, and a couple handfuls of parmesan until the mixture thickens. Taste a few times to make sure it's to your liking and that's it.
For those of you trying to steer away from dairy, a simple spinach sauté with garlic, extra virgin olive oil and a few red pepper flakes will bring your ravioli up a notch.
Either way you go, pair with your favorite wine and enjoy a little night of indulgence!