This article originally appeared in HomeLife Magazine.
Dinner for two can be even more enjoyable when you prepare it together.
Bring warmth to February with a Valentine’s date night dinner for two. Skip the crowds and high-priced venues and opt for a romantic evening cooking together at home. Whether you’re a seasoned cook, or this is your first time in the kitchen, these recipes are sure to please as the secret to success lies in the high-end ingredients.
Menu:
Filet with Thyme Butter
Hearts of Romaine Salad
Molten Chocolate Cakes
A little prepping beforehand will allow the evening to be focused on the two of you. For this special night, cooking should feel like entertainment and not a chore; therefore each menu item has been selected for its ease in preparation or ability to be prepared ahead of time.
Make a list of all ingredients and shop ahead. This will take the pressure off the day, especially if you need to go to several stores to find all items. You want to feel fresh for the evening, not harried and worn out.
Set the stage by setting the table and don’t forget to light the candles. You’re a gift to each other, so dress for the occasion. Pretend you’re going to a restaurant, then imagine what you need to make your space feel cozy and intimate. Is this an opportunity to pull out your best dishes? If china isn’t your thing, maybe just add cloth napkins and napkin rings because tonight you’re dining in.
Enhance the fun by playing music. Cooking together is enjoyable as it engages all of our senses. Use this evening as an opportunity to discover more about each other. Lean on one another’s strengths. One of you might be better at searing and sauces while the other finds chopping and prepping more rewarding. Find your rhythm together.
Think through the menu and set up cooking and prepping stations in your kitchen. Place a cast iron skillet, tongs, plate, salt, and pepper near the stove. Set the fresh thyme, butter, bowl, and cutting board on the counter. All salad ingredients can be set beside a bowl with a sharp knife and cutting board at the final station. Make the dessert a day or two ahead of time. Leave it chilled, covered with plastic wrap and unbaked in the refrigerator, then simply preheat the oven and bake it while cooking dinner.
Enjoy your “thyme” together!
Filet with Thyme Butter
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
2-6 oz. filets of beef
Salt
Pepper
Fresh thyme
Olive oil
3 Tbsp. butter
Directions
Pat the meat dry with a paper towel. Generously salt and pepper beef on both sides. Add three tablespoons of olive oil to cast iron skillet and heat on medium high. Place beef on hot skillet. Sear meat for three to six minutes per side depending on how rare you prefer it. Turn meat to other side only once. Pull thyme leaves off stem. Remove beef from pan to rest on plate. Turn off heat and allow pan to cool slightly. Melt butter and add thyme leaves. Drizzle thyme-infused butter over beef.
Hearts of Romaine Salad
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
8 oz. Baby Romaine
4-6 slices red onion (cut thin in rounds)
2 oz. goat cheese
2 oz. nuts and dried cranberries or cherries
Rice Vinegar (couple dashes)
Olive oil (couple dashes)
Directions
Combine all ingredients in bowl, layering according to order in recipe. Drizzle vinegar and oil separately over salad. Toss and serve.
Molten Chocolate Cakes
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
1 c. Ghirardelli® double chocolate chips (bittersweet)
10 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. Coriander
1 tsp. Cardamon
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. flour
Non-stick cooking spray
Vanilla ice cream, if desired
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray six 3/4-cup souffle dishes with cooking spray. Over low heat, melt chocolate, butter, and spices in a saucepan, stirring until smooth. Let cool. In a separate bowl beat eggs and add vanilla. Blend in powdered sugar. Combine egg mixture with chocolate mixture. Gradually add flour to wet ingredients, stirring until smooth. Pour into prepared dishes. Bake for 14 minutes. Remove from oven and cool five minutes. Run a knife around edges and invert onto a plate.
Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.