Ah, Valentine’s Day—a day when love is in the air, hearts are on sleeves, and the aroma of something delicious wafts from the kitchen. Imagine pulling out all the stops with a meal that whispers sweet nothings with every bite. From candlelit dinners to cozy nights in, these recipes are set to make your evening unforgettable, whether you’re a seasoned chef or just trying not to burn the garlic bread.
Steps
- Garlic Butter
- Begin by preparing your pasta dough. Roll the dough into long ribbons using a hand-crank pasta maker.
- Clean and slice wild mushrooms, and set them aside. Melt some butter in a pan and add miso paste and minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook until they are tender. Combine the cooked pasta with the mushroom mixture, tossing to coat thoroughly before serving.
- Start by patting each piece of beef dry with paper towels. Brown the beef in a hot pan, ensuring each piece is evenly seared.
- Simmer the browned beef with vegetables and herbs in a pot, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Cook until the beef is tender and the stew has thickened, then serve hot.
- Prepare the beef mixture by slow-cooking it with adobo sauce and chile flavors. Shred the beef once it’s cooked and tender.
- When ready to serve, fill corn tortillas with the beef mixture.
- Crisp the tacos on a griddle before serving, accompanied by your favorite cold beverages.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by sautéing garlic in olive oil.
- Add tomatoes, kalamata olives, capers, and anchovies to the pan, allowing them to simmer and thicken.
- Combine the cooked spaghetti with the sauce, tossing well before serving.
- Gather ingredients like beef shank, scallions, and baby bok choy. Prepare the broth with spices like doubanjiang and ginger.
- Simmer the beef in the broth until tender, then add noodles and vegetables.
- Serve hot, garnished with scallions and a dash of chile crisp.
- Melt chocolate in hot heavy cream until smooth. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Whip the mixture until light and fluffy, then spoon into serving dishes.
- Chill before serving for a perfectly set dessert.
- Season steaks with cracked pepper and sear them in a hot pan until cooked to your liking.
- Remove steaks and prepare a pan sauce by deglazing with red wine and reducing until thickened.
- Serve steaks with the sauce drizzled on top.
- Combine almond-flavored crème de noyaux, white creme de cacao, and heavy cream in a shaker with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.
- Serve chilled, garnished if desired.
- Layer slices of Italian meats and cheeses between a round loaf of bread. Add a layer of olive salad for additional flavor.
- Press the sandwich and let it rest for the flavors to meld.
- Slice and serve on a picnic or day out.
- Style Crab Cakes
- Mix crab meat with a small number of binding ingredients, allowing the crab to be the star.
- Shape into patties and pan-fry until golden brown on each side.
- Serve hot, ideally with a chilled bottle of sparkling wine.
Ingredients
- Garlic Butter Ingredients:
- Wild mushrooms (quantity unspecified)
- Pasta dough (for making pasta by hand)
- Garlic
- Miso paste
- Butter
- Wine (for sipping while cooking)
- Beef (quantity unspecified)
- Paper towels (for drying beef)
- Braised and shredded beef mixture (prepared in advance)
- Adobo sauce
- Tacos shells
- Beer (for serving)
- Kalamata olives
- Capers
- Anchovies
- Tomato sauce
- Spaghetti
- Doubanjiang (spicy bean paste)
- Wheat noodles
- Pickled mustard greens
- Beef shank
- Beef chuck
- Scallions
- Ginger
- Baby bok choy
- Chile crisp
- Chocolate
- Heavy cream
- Steak
- Peppercorns
- Red wine
- Pan sauce ingredients (unspecified)
- Almond-flavored crème de noyaux
- White crème de cacao
- Heavy cream
- Muffuletta sandwich ingredients (unspecified)
- Salt and vinegar chips
- Jameson (for a flask)
- Style Crab Cakes Ingredients:
- Crab meat
- Ingredients unspecified (short list)
FAQ
- Why is dining out on Valentine’s Day often not recommended?
- Dining out on Valentine’s Day can be challenging due to overcrowded restaurants, potentially higher prices, and a rushed dining experience as staff try to accommodate many reservations.
- What is a fun cooking project to try on Valentine’s Day?
- Making pasta from scratch can be a delightful cooking project. It’s not overly labor-intensive, can be done with a hand-crank pasta maker, and creates a romantic atmosphere when paired with wine and music.
- Can I prepare any dish in advance to save time on Valentine’s Day?
- Yes, birria tacos are a great option as the beef mixture can be prepared a day ahead. On the day, you only need to assemble the tacos and crisp them up, allowing for a more relaxed evening.
- What is a simple yet impressive dessert idea for Valentine’s Day?
- A simple chocolate mousse made by melting chocolate in hot heavy cream is an easy and foolproof dessert that can impress your loved one without much hassle.
- What makes crab cakes a good choice for a special occasion like Valentine’s Day?
- Crab cakes are an excellent choice because they are delicious, feel luxurious, don’t require lengthy preparation, and offer a unique alternative to typical Valentine’s dinners like steak.
Tips
- Plan Ahead for Birria Tacos: Prepare the braised and shredded beef mixture the day before Valentine’s Day. This way, you won’t be stuck at the stove, and you can simply assemble and crisp the tacos when it’s time to dine.
- Simplify Chocolate Mousse Preparation: Opt for an easier method by melting chocolate in hot heavy cream, rather than making a traditional egg custard. This foolproof technique ensures a smooth and decadent dessert.
- Quick and Impressive Steak au Poivre: This dish comes together in just 20 minutes with minimal ingredients. It’s perfect for a swift yet indulgent romantic dinner without compromising on flavor.
- Take the Time with Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup: Start preparations a few weeks in advance by gathering essential ingredients like doubanjiang and pickled mustard greens. This will allow you to create a flavorful and comforting dish that fills your home with inviting aromas.
Equipment
- Hand-Crank Pasta Maker – For making homemade pasta, especially if you’re attempting the Creamy Mushroom Pasta.
- Griddle – Useful for crisping birria tacos.
- Food Processor – Could be used for various recipes, especially for making sauces or mixing ingredients for the crab cakes.
- Stew Pot or Dutch Oven – Essential for making dishes like Julia Child’s Best Beef Stew and Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup.
- Cocktail Shaker – If you plan on making cocktails like the Pink Squirrel.
- Pastry Brush – Can be useful for applying egg wash or sauce on dishes like the Muffuletta.
