Valentine's Day Dinner For Two

Love is in the air with Valentine's Day around the corner. It's often said that the way to a person's heart is through food. However, taking your special someone to a three course dinner can rack up a pretty hefty bill. Luckily you can achieve restaurant like quality meals for a fraction of the price in the comfort of your own home with these simple recipes. Bon Appétit!

First CourseProsciutto Wrapped Arugula Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 16 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 large shelled raw shrimp
• 8 slices of prosciutto
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 peach pit removed and sliced
• 2 cups of arugula
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• crumbled feta cheese

Directions

• Wrap each shrimp with a slice of prosciutto. Thread two wrapped shrimp on a metal or wooden skewer, soak in water for about 10 minutes. Repeat with the remaining shrimp.
• Drizzle shrimp with one tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the shrimp on a grill or grill pan on each side until the shrimp become opaque.
• In a medium bowl, toss the arugula with the balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Plate the arugula. Add the peaches, feta cheese, shrimp then serve.

Main CourseFilet Mignon
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Inactive Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 (6 oz) beef tenderloin filet mignon steaks, trimmed of fat
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• salt and pepper

Directions

• Let the steaks rest on the counter one hour before cooking. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cover both steaks with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a medium-sized skillet on high heat once the oven is heated. When the pan is hot, cook the steaks for two to two and a half minutes on both sides. Let the steaks sear for a full two minutes before moving.
• Sear on all sides for a minute or so until browned on all sides.
• Place the steaks in the oven and cook for four to five minutes. Check that the steaks are done by inserting a thermometer into the center; 125 degrees Fahrenheit for medium rare or 130 for medium.
• Let rest for five minutes before serving.

Sautéed Garlic Broccolini
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 bunches of broccolini
• 6 cloves of peeled garlic, sliced thinly
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil
• kosher salt

Directions

• Trim the broccolini stems one and a half inches and discard. Slice the broccolini lengthwise in half.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the broccolini for two minutes. Then drain and rinse the broccolini under cold water to stop the cooking.
• Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the oil and garlic cooking until the garlic becomes golden, about one minute.
• Add the drained broccolini, season with kosher salt and cook for one to two minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Serve!

Crispy Skin Baked Potatoes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 baking potatoes
• olive oil
• kosher salt

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Scrub the potatoes clean and pierce the potatoes with a fork two to three times per side. Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel.
• Brush the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Place them in the oven on a middle rack. Bake for 45-60 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 minutes and cut lengthwise once cooled.

DessertCaramel Bread Pudding
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
• 2 croissants, torn into pieces
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoon plus an extra 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 soft caramel candies, chopped
• 2 oven proof tea or coffee cups

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Lightly butter the cups. In a small bowl, fill half cup of croissant with small pieces and toss them with the melted butter.
• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the egg with two tablespoons of sugar until dissolved.
• Whisk in the half and half along with the vanilla extract. Stir in the remaining croissant, torn into one inch pieces, and the chopped caramel.
• Let the mixture sit, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes.
• Pour the mixture into the two cups evenly and top with the buttered croissant pieces and remaining quarter teaspoon of sugar.
• Place the cups in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the bread pudding puffs above the rim of the cups. Let the pudding cool for a few minutes and serve warm.

Related links from our partners at Askmen.com:

• Cheap Valentine's Day Gifts For Him
• Valentine's Gift Ideas For Her