Valentine's Dinner for Two
Surprise that special someone with a romantic night in.
February has arrived and love is in the air....after all, it's almost Valentine's Day! Can you smell the sweet essences of chocolate, fresh roses, and perfume? But you'll want a little more than that to prepare the perfect romantic evening. Surprise someone special this Valentine's Day with a delicious dinner for two by following these easy steps. Prepare the recipes below, or substitute with your own favorite dishes.
Checklist
- Lifetime card table
- Lifetime folding chairs
- 1 bag of chocolate kisses
- long tinsel curtain
- 11 pieces of paper in various colors, about 3 inches x 5 inches.
- an elegant tablecloth (a solid dark color looks great)
- 2 tall candles with candlesticks
- 2 of your nicest plates and silverware sets
- 2 champagne glasses
- romantic music
Steps
- Make a trail of chocolate kisses from the door he usually enters, all the way into the room you'll be dining in.Make sure the trail is long enough so that, at random places in the trail, you can place 11 little love notes.
- Write out and place ntoes throughout the trail of chocolate kisses. Start with a note that reads "10 reasons why I fell in love with you" followed by notes with little messages like "the way you laugh" and "that dimple in the corner of your smile."
- Hang the long tinsel curtain over the entryway to the dining room (so he has to walk through it).
- Create a romantic setting. Drape a long tablecloth over a small table (a Lifetime 37 inch table works perfectly). Set the 2 tall candles between 2 place settings and leave room for 1 plate in the center.
- Set up the stereo with your favorite romantic music nearby. If you have a remote, you can turn it on as soon as he walks in the room.
- Leave some room for dancing...just in case.
- Prepare delicious Lobster Shooters to make the evening extra special.
Tips
- Get creative with your beverage! Try putting a new label on the bottle that reads "Love Potion No. 9." You may even want to purchase a funky shaped glass bottle with a cork and fill it with your favorite drink concoction.
Saucy Steak for Two
Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 50 min. Serves 2.This homemade sauce is perfect over two pieces of steak 1-2 inches thick. (You can also try this sauce on chicken or pork). Allow two 1-2 inch cuts of beef tenderloin steak to thaw as you combine the following ingredients in a small sauce pan:
- 3 tablespoons Catalina salad dressing
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons apricot preserves
- 3 tablespoons grape jelly
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 Tablespoons minced chives
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- After combining all the above ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove 1/4 cup sauce to pour over when ready to serve.
- Coat the steaks in sauce and place on broiler pan. Broil about 5 inches away from heat for 10-15 minutes on each side, or until meat is as dark as desired, occasionally basting with remaining sauce.
- Your meat thermometer should read 145 degrees for medium rare, 160 degrees for medium, and 170 degrees for well done.
- Pour the 1/4 cup sauce set aside over the steaks when ready to serve.
Cottage-Cheesy Baked Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min. Bake time: 1 hour. Serves 2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons thinly sliced green onions (or chives)
- *salt and pepper to taste
- Place potatoes in the oven at 400 degrees for 1 hour, or until thoroughly cooked.
- Cut in half and scoop out inside of the potatoes, leaving four shell halves. Mash potato insides in a small bowl and set aside.
- Cook and stir onion and water in a small skillet for 3 minutes, or until onions are tender.
- Add cottage cheese, buttermilk,parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, and mashed potatoes.
- Stir until well mixed.
- Spoon into potato shells and sprinkle with green onions.
Sauteed Mushrooms
Prep time: 5 min. Cook time: 15 min. Serves 4.
- 1 pound mushrooms (Regular White tastes great)
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 2 tablespoons margarine
- 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- fresh parsley for garnish *optional
- Slice mushrooms into 1/4 inch pieces (egg slicers work well for this) and saute in a 10-inch skillet with 1/4 cup margarine. Cook 6-8 minutes or until tender.
- Add the 2 Tablespoons margarine, oil, and garlic. Stir.
- Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Cook for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are lightly browned.
Chocolate Carrot Cake
Prep time: 35 min. Bake time: 25 min. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup baking cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 cups finely shredded carrots
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans (or line with greased waxed paper). Set aside.Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat until combined. Pour half into one pan, and half into the other.
- Bake for 25-30 min at 350 degrees or until you can insert a toothpick into the center of the cake and it comes ut clean. Cool for at least 10 min before removing from pans. Gently slide a butter knife between the cake and the pan. *Tip - If you're concerned about the cake breaking, use a spatula to gently separate it from the bottom of the pan before tipping upside down to remove cake.
Frosting
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup baking cocoa
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Beat cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl until fluffy. Mix in powdered sugar, cocoa, and vanilla.
- Spread over one cake layer, place other cake layer on top of that one, and spread frosting over that layer, too. Sprinkle with walnuts and chocolate chips.