You don’t need to dine at an expensive restaurant on Valentine’s Day to enjoy a romantic dinner for two. Dine out at home! Show the love by treating your special someone or your family to a special and elegant home-cooked meal. These recipes for popular restaurant drinks and entrees can easily be duplicated at home, and most can serve four people for the cost of one entree in a restaurant.
Valen-tini
This creamy, strawberry chocolate martini courtesy of McCormick® can be served before dinner, but its richness makes it an ideal dessert cocktail perfect for after dinner sipping.
Cherry Bourbon Smash
Cozy up with a glass of Champagne, your favorite wine or perhaps a special Valentine’s Day signature cocktail. You can find plenty of ideas online or try this bourbon cocktail with its pretty reddish/pink hue. Since fresh cherries aren’t available now ... substitute frozen, thawed, sweet cherries!
Creamy Roasted Garlic and Spinach Orzo
This side dish from Farm Flavor uses whole wheat orzo, is easy to prepare, and pairs especially well with beef and poultry.
Steak Au Poivre
Featured on the menu of high-end steak houses, filet mignon is the most tender cut, and is best cooked to medium-rare. This recipe is a French cuisine classic loved for its peppery cream sauce. Pair with a Zinfandel to counterbalance the spiciness of the peppercorns.
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Searing enhances the natural sweetness of the scallops, and the simple Romesco Sauce imparts a delicious, slightly smoky flavor. Tender and delicious, scallops cook quickly so be sure to follow cooking times to avoid overcooking. Pair with a full-bodied white wine such as Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay or a Pinot Gris.
Lobster is highly sought after for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and light texture. It can be found on the menu of seafood and other high-end restaurants in a variety of ways: whole, tails, or paired with other foods. Serve this recipe alone or with the Steak Au Poivre or your favorite steak for an extra special meal of Surf and Turf. If serving alone, pair with an oaked or unoaked Chardonnay or Champagne. For a wine that works well with both, a medium-bodied Pinot Noir is a great option as it will stand up to the beef, and not overpower the delicate flavor of the lobster.
Another restaurant favorite, this recipe with its creamy mushroom Marsala sauce is so easy to prepare you’ll be making it again and again! Pair with a full-bodied white i.e. Chardonnay or Chein Blanc or a light to medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir.
Do you ever wonder how giving chocolate and sweets became a Valentine’s Day tradition? Giving a box of candy on Valentine’s Day was started in the 18th century by Richard Cadbury of the British chocolate manufacturing family. With a new technique established at the company to create more varieties of chocolate, he saw the opportunity to sell chocolates for the holiday.
Here are some sweet treats to keep that tradition continuing:
Red Velvet Cake
McCormick® makes it easy to bake up the perfect occasion dessert by using a boxed German chocolate cake mix. It’s finished off with a delicious vanilla cream cheese frosting making it even harder to resist!
Microwave Pots de Crème
Chocolate Pecan Pie
All your favorite brands, along with recipes and tips for creating inspirational ideas to recreate your favorite dining experiences right in your home or backyard!
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