Impress Your Valentine With a 5-Star Dinner at Home

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and dinner out is a common way for couples to celebrate. But we think the sweetest way to your valentine’s heart is with a homemade dinner neither of you will forget. Especially if it can be compared to a 5-star restaurant meal.

Let your sweetheart indulge in one of the most romantic dinners we can think of: decadent, rich, flavorful steak.

A filet cut of beef guarantees the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat. That’s what you’ll get with this recipe for filet mignon with mushroom red wine sauce (adjust accordingly for the thickness of your steaks).

Another steak worthy of a special occasion is rib eye. The marinade in this Southeast Asian recipe adds a sweet and savory flavor.

Porterhouse is generous enough for two. It’s a t-bone that includes a larger portion of the tenderloin, so the porterhouse is perfect for sharing with the one you love.

If something other than beef sounds intriguing, consider putting lamb lollipops on your Valentine’s Day dinner menu.

Serve any of these meats with simple sides, including mashed or roasted potatoes and other vegetables. While you’re at Butcher Boy, pick up a bottle of wine and a decadently delicious dessert.

But it’s not all about the cooking or the flavors.  Don’t forget about presentation.

Here are some ideas for plating your romantic meal.

• If you have them, use white plates. Food looks great on a white backdrop because the colors stand out.
• Picture a clock as you plate. From the diner’s point of view, the meat should be between 3 and 9, your starch or carbohydrate from 9 and 12, and your vegetable from 12 and 3.
• Less is more. Put the star of your meal – your protein – on the plate by itself and put the sides in small bowls. If you choose to serve everything together, just don’t overcrowd the plate.
• Serve food in odd numbers. Five potatoes instead of six is visually more appealing.
• Design with sauces. Don’t just pour them on the food, drizzle the sauce carefully or use a spoon to create accent dots on the plate.

Not sure you can pull it all off? Even if you’re not the next home cook featured on Master Chef, we can help you gain confidence in the kitchen. Reference our roasting and grilling guides for whatever you choose to prepare for your valentine.