What is a good Valentine Dinner for two?

Question

Here is the thing though.

First off, its our first valentine dinner as a married couple.

Second off, we are both very picky eaters. We both like chicken, steak, and shrimp. As far as sides go, I am good with making about anything so let me here what ya got.

Thanks.

Oh yeah, leave recipes if possible...I'm always up for getting some new ones.

Answer 1

How about all 3! Herb chicken, some buttered shrimp, and a petite filet.

If that seems like too much protein, you could also add a nice rice pilaf or some nice homemade mashed potatoes made with cream and butter. And pick your favorite wine or cocktail to go with it.

Simple, relatively easy, and affordable. If you don't like this suggestion, my girlfriend makes a great chicken pesto (use diced or strips of grilled chicken breast and penne pasta. You can buy the pesto pre-made or make it yourself with ingredients found online. She also boils broccoli and baby carrots and puts them in the dish. Only the broccoli is cut into small pieces before it goes into the dish.

If you choose the chicken-steak-shrimp option, here's a nice recipe for the sides:

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001509perfect_mashed_potatoes.php

Answer 2

Well it seems you already have the Main dishes covered so I can tell you a sie at least

If hes a hearty eater this recipe is somethign my family makes often and my brother goes nuts for it.

Green Beans (can be canned)
New Potatoes (can be canned as well)
Bacon
and chopped Onions

We never make it the same way twice becase this is a recipe that can be done to suit your own taste. Simply cut up the Bacon into little pieces and fry them in a ban till cooked. Throw in the onions and repeat. Should only take a few minutes.

Now here is where it can be switched aroudn depending on what you prefer.

If using fresh vegetables, Please remove the bacon and onions and set to the side. Then while pan is hot from bacon and onion flavors throw in the green beans and new potatoes that have been cut to about the same size. Fry into until how preferential you would like them. I reccommend til hot but with still a little bit of crisp. Nobody likes Mushy vegetables. Throw back in Bacon and onions and wait til all equally hot again and done.

If using canned vegetables. Simply repeat the same thing with Bacon and onions but this time in a sauce pan do NOT drain either can of green beans. Will require at least 2 for this version. But DO drain the potatoes. and cut them up into small pieces if you can. Throw in with Green beans and wait for it to boil. When done drain the water as best you can making sure to leave a little so as not to stick to the bottom of pan. (harder then heck to clean later) Then combine all four ingredients and done!

Answer 3

well they are good and endless possibiltys as well. since you two are picky eaters why not a romantic home cooked meal by candle light and if you have kids give to a friend or family member theyll understand. you could bake a heart shaped cake for after the dinner
followed by some champagne and a nice massage that he can give you and the rest ill leave to you lol.
but heres a dish that i kinda threw together one night
it takes
half jar spaggitti sauce
couple splashes of hot sauce to taste
2tbls of mild salsa
and spaggitti chesse any kind
in a medium sauce pan mix all ingriedents together stirring ocassonialy until simmer reduce heat to low and cook chicken
i use garlic butter to pan fry the chicken but this is a start you can tweek or add to this recipe and have a very nice and safe valentines day

Answer 4

If you are not in the mood to cook - Ruby Tuesdays is having a dinner special the week of Valentines day. It's your choice of appetizer, a main entree and dessert.

You have the option for your entrees of New Orleans Seafood (which is Talapia topped with shrimp and parmesan cream sauce)
A top Sirloin
And two different Chicken dinners:
The chicken fresco and Chicken Oscar

If you would like more details, or to see if there is a Ruby Tuesdays near you, go to www.rubytuesday.com

Answer 5

I would say, with others who have answered, to cook something that you can prepare together, and something that you share when you eat it (like the fondue or veggies suggestion, where you're both dipping and can feed each other)

Here's some recipe books that might be fun!
Food As Foreplay
The Erotic Cookbook by Christina Moles Kaupp
Intercourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook by Martha Hopkins
The Seduction Cookbook: Culinary Creations For Lovers by Diane Brown
Seduction and Spice: 130 Recipes for Romance by Rudy Sodamin
Nature's Aphrodisiacs by Nancy L. Nickell

Have fun :-)

Answer 6

The first Valentine is very special. Congratulations.

How about a dinner of finger foods that you eat can feed the other? Raw veggies and dip (ranch), like cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, Italian squash, etc. Chicken wings and dip. French fries and dip. Get the theme??? The fun is dipping and feeding the other person as you sit on the couch and watch a romantic movie or in front of a warm fireplace.

And dessert? How about strawberries with hot chocolate and whipped cream to dip them in.

Keep it simple and see if you can start a tradition. And for his present you should get him some really cute underwear with hearts (our tradition).

Answer 7

Generally I have found that the menu is not as important as the way that youprepare and present it. Try to have fun with it. Think about preparing items based on a theme of some sort. Also, be sure to keep the menu light. You want to be sure that neither of you gets too full to really enjoy the rest of the evening. You also want to be sure that you leave yourself plenty of time to get everything prepared and try to clean up as you go. Nothing can ruin an evening faster than running around scared that you won't be ready, and who wants to clean the kitchen after their Valentine's dinner?

Eventhough you are both picky eaters, you should try to make something that is a little different from what you would normally make for dinner. Try to remember that it will take more and more effort to keep these night special the longer you are together, so set the tone with this one and make sure that your husband recognizes that just becasue you're married now that doesn't mean you aren't willing to work at making him happy. It will pay off big time later.

As far as possible ideas, I have listed a few below. I would recommend making a multiple course meal, especially if you are making something outside the norm for the two of you. That way, if the entree is a bust, you will still have a good appetizer, soup/salad, and dessert to fall back on.


Entrees:
Ravioli - If you are comfortable in the kitchen, you can make your own pasta. If not, you should be able to buy sheet pasta that you can stuff yourself to make the ravioli. Whether you make it or buy it, you want to have both normal pasta (generally white) and some red pepper or tomato pasta. The red pepper or tomato has very little impact on flavor, but adds the red and white valentines day feel to your dish. You can be creative with putting them together as well, don't just cut circles and squares. Cut Hearts - Yes he's a guy, but he will probably appreciate the effort anyway. Make some red and some white, or make the all with one red side and one white side. Then, buy or prepare both a tomato sauce and a cream sauce - Again, red and white - plus, you double your chances of him liking one of them. You can stuff the Ravioli with virtually anything you want. I would suggest making a base filling from Ricotta Cheees and a littl garlic, then you can add shrimp or chicken or spices to the filling to make multiple types with little effort. I know the prep time seems like a lot, but the cooking time is almost nothing, especially if you make the pasta yourself. If you prefer something heartier for dinner, the ravioli can be an awesome appetizer if, after stuffing them, you roll them in bread crumbs and bake them instead of boiling.

Salad is generally easier. I suggest getting a number of ingredients, and letting each of you build your own. Buy whatever type of greens the two of you like. Spinach, iceberg, raddiccio, it doesn't matter. Set out bowls with mushrooms, cheese, almond slivers, strawberries, chow mein noodles, - anything simple and inexpensive. Try to have a couple of dressings as well. You might consider making only one salad to share. You'll have to work together, and that can be fun.

For dessert, I always like simplicity. Think fruit (strawberries, pineapple, ) dipped in chocolate. For Valentine's day I would go with womehting you can eat (or feed each other) with your hands.

Try to have something a little different to drink. Vodka and Passion fruit Juice, Pomegranite Martini, Chamapgne. If you don't drink, get some sprakling grape juice. As silly as it may seem, it can really help set the mood.

As far as after dinner, if you plan to watch a movie, never under estimate a comedy. Throw in one of the Vacation moveies, Tommy Boy, anything stupidly funny. Laughter is an aphriodisiac.

After that I am sure your'll both be off to bed early so you can be sure to get up for work Friday morning.

Have Fun

Answer 8

Chicken Marsala Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence and JoAnn Cianciulli
Show: Food 911
Episode: Chicken Marsala Rocks!





4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
All-purpose flour, for dredging
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced
8 ounces crimini or porcini mushrooms, stemmed and halved
1/2 cup sweet Marsala wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Put the chicken breasts side by side on a cutting board and lay a piece of plastic wrap over them; pound with a flat meat mallet, until they are about 1/4-inch thick. Put some flour in a shallow platter and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly.
Heat the oil over medium-high flame in a large skillet. When the oil is nice and hot, dredge both sides of the chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess. Slip the cutlets into the pan and fry for 5 minutes on each side until golden, turning once – do this in batches if the pieces don't fit comfortably in the pan. Remove the chicken to a large platter in a single layer to keep warm.
Lower the heat to medium and add the prosciutto to the drippings in the pan, saute for 1 minute to render out some of the fat. Now, add the mushrooms and saute until they are nicely browned and their moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Pour the Marsala in the pan and boil down for a few seconds to cook out the alcohol. Add the chicken stock and simmer for a minute to reduce the sauce slightly. Stir in the butter and return the chicken to the pan; simmer gently for 1 minute to heat the chicken through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Answer 9

Fondue: (Need a Fondue Pot)

1. Start with: Cheese Fondue with: French Bread, celery, carrots, apples. (white wine)
2. Broth based or virgin olive oil based fondue with: chicken, steak, shrimp, broccoli, potatoes. (Blush is good with this entry)
3. Finish with chocolate fondue with: marshmallows, strawberries, banana's, and chocolate cake. (With Champagne)

I myself usually fill up after the cheese fondue, and when I add more vegetables, this is plenty. The cheese & chocolate fondue can usually be found pre-packaged in the grocery store (King Soopers & Safeway). Make sure that the raw meat is separtate from all the other foods to avoid food poisening.

Answer 10

Well, don't know if you like spicy or not, but here's something I slapped together and it worked really well. Of course, you may no think tacos are a terribly romantic dinner for two, but my wife says bologna sandwiches and Boone's Farm by candle light is romantic.

Sweet & Spicy Shrimp Tacos
(get it? Sweet & Spicy? hee hee)

What you'll need:
Corn Tortillas (at leas a dozen)
Shrimp (about a pound, shelled and deveined unless you like 'em crunchy)
1 firm, but ripe, pear (can substitute an apple)
1 ripe mango
1 onion
1 lime
2 roma tomatoes
Jalepenos or serranos (to heat level desired)
Brown sugar (can substitute molasses)
White sugar (normal sugar)
Cooking oil
Salt
Garlic (several cloves)

1) chop onion, tomatoes, hot peppers (jalepenos or serranos), mango and pear. Combine in a bowl. Add the juice of 1/2 the lime, and about two teaspoons of sugar. Start with one, and see if it's sweet enough. Add more as needed. You should have an evenly balanced flavor. You may also add minced garlic if you wish, and salt to taste.

2) mince 3-5 cloves of garlic finely. combine shrimp, about two tablespoons cooking oil (enough to lightly coat all the shrimp), garlic, salt (about a teaspoon), the juice of the other 1/2 of the lime, and about one and a half tablespoons of brown sugar or molasses in a bowl. Place in fridge and allow to marinade for at least 20 minutes.

3) While shrimp is marinading, heat the tortillas over an open flame (preferred) or directly on the element of your electric stove (not preferred). DO NOT MICROWAVE CORN TORTILLAS. THEY WILL DISINTEGRATE. The way you do this is:

-get a clean dish towel big enough to fold double, and then fold over and envelop the tortillas in. have this next to the stove to keep your tortillas warm.

-Light the fire on your stove. Use a high flame.

-flop a tortillas directly on the burner. wait until the edges droop (this happens very fast, so have a metal spatula handy). When it begins to droop, flip it. When it droops again, flip it. watch closely: you should see small bubbles forming in the tortilla; when the bubbles begin to form, flip it again. When bubbles begin to form on the final side, remove the tortilla and place it flat inside the towel. Then heat up more tortillas in this fashion. I have found that most Americans can eat about a half a dozen of these tacos.

4) now that your tortillas are heated, get a skillet, put a little oil in it, heat it up, and chuck all the shirmp, sauce and all in the pan over high heat. Lightly brown the shrimp on each side, and by now you should have a LOT of liquid in the pan. Turn the fire down a smidge, and let the juice boil off. It will leave a light glaze on all the shrimp.

-Serving suggestion-
Place skillet with serving spoon, towel full of tortillas, and bowl of spicy sweet salsa in the middle of a table. Light two to six candles, pour glass of white zinfandel wine for each, turn off lights, put on nightie, call husband to the table for romantic dinner. Put some DragonForce on in the background.

Just kidding on the dragonforce. Seriously, 70% of the dinner's romance is derived from presentation. Serving yourselves as you eat from the same communal dish lends an air of togetherness and moderate intimacy. Lighting helps, thus the candles, and white wines go well with seafood, and help kill the sting if you get carried away with the hot peppers.

And yes, that's something I just slapped together one day on a whim.