Quick & Easy Date Night Recipes - Romantic Steakhouse-Inspired Dinner for Two

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Easy Date Night Recipes

Quick and Easy Date Night Recipes to Cook at Home:
Romantic Steakhouse-Inspired Dinner for Two

by Katie Wilson from CraftyGirlCreates

There’s something romantic about an upscale steakhouse dinner; whether it’s the atmosphere of the restaurant or the richness of the food, it’s an experience to enjoy. Recreate that special atmosphere at home with your partner with this easy & delicious menu for two; add a starched white tablecloth, your best dishes and some soft music for a romantic evening in.

Appetizer: Shrimp Cocktail
Entrée: Pan Seared Sirloin with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes & Sautéed Spinach
Dessert: Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries with Chocolate

Seared Sirloin Steak with Herb Compound Butter

Shrimp Cocktail

A classic appetizer, Shrimp Cocktail is easy to make, and will certainly impress your partner.

Ingredients:
1 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined with tails on
1 tsp salt
½ cup ketchup
2 TB horseradish
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp hot sauce
1 TB lemon juice

Directions:
-Bring 2 quarts of water to boil over high heat in a large pot. Add salt.
-Add shrimp, return to boil. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until shrimp are bright pink and opaque.
-Remove from heat and drain.
-In a small bowl, combine ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, hot sauce and lemon juice.
-In a martini glass, carefully spoon cocktail sauce into the middle. Arrange shrimp around the edge of the martini glass, hanging over the sides. Serve.

Pan Seared Sirloin with Herb Compound Butters

There’s something sexy about steak – yes, sexy! Studies have found that red meat is an aphrodisiac, and can boost romantic desire when eaten.

Ingredients:
2 sirloin steaks, about 1-1 ½ inches thick
1 TB vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
½ ground black pepper
Herb Compound Butter (recipe below)

Directions:
-Preheat a large cast iron (or heavy bottomed) pan over medium high heat.
-Dry steaks with a paper towel, making sure to absorb all excess moisture.
-Liberally coat steaks in 1 TB vegetable oil, and season with salt and pepper.
-Carefully place steaks in the hot pan; be careful of oil splatters.
-Cook for 5 minutes, then flip over and cook for an additional 5 minutes for medium rare.
-If you’d like your steak medium, cook for an additional two minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.
-Additionally, if you prefer your steaks medium well, cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches around 145 degrees.
-Turn off the heat, remove steaks to a plate and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before plating.
-Serve with a pat of Herb Compound Butter on top (recipe below)

Herb Compound Butter:
Packed with flavor, this compound butter can easily be made several hours or a day ahead of time.

Ingredients:
1 stick of salted butter
3 TB fresh chives, chopped
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper

Directions:
-Allow butter to come to room temperature by sitting on the counter for about 30 minutes. You want it soft enough to mix, but not melted.
-Place butter in a bowl, and add fresh chives and ground pepper. Mix to combine.
-On a large sheet of wax paper, spoon compound butter on top. Form into log shape, and wrap wax paper around it. Roll to achieve relatively uniform thickness.
-Chill in the fridge for 30-45 minutes or until firm.

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes:
Roasted with herbs, these fingerling potatoes are crisp, buttery and flavorful.

Ingredients:
1 pound fingerling potatoes, washed
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly chopped rosemary
1 TB minced garlic
1 TB vegetable oil

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place an ovenproof skillet or heavy baking tray in the oven, and let it heat up for 15 minutes.
-Toss potatoes in a medium bowl with 1 TB vegetable oil.
-Sprinkle with pepper, salt, rosemary and minced garlic. Toss to combine
-Arrange potatoes in a single layer on preheated skillet or baking tray.
-Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown on the outside, and soft on the inside when pierced with a fork.

Sautéed Spinach:
A classic steakhouse side, spinach is packed with vitamins & minerals, and adds a bright color to your plate.

Ingredients:
1 TB garlic, minced
1 TB vegetable oil
2 TB chicken broth
1 package (about 8 ounces) fresh spinach
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground white pepper

Directions:
-Add oil to a large skillet or sauté pan over medium to medium-high heat.
-Add garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
-Add chicken broth, and cook for a minute until slightly reduced.
-Add spinach, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes, or until spinach is just wilted.
-Remove from heat and serve.

Easy Date Night Dessert

Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries with Chocolate.

Chocolate and strawberries are a classic romantic combination – add a cheesecake-inspired filling for a fun, silky twist.

Ingredients:

1 pint fresh strawberries, washed & leaves removed
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ bag semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

Directions:

-With a paring knife or small melon baller, carefully hollow out a little bit from the top of each strawberry to create a place for the cheesecake filling.
-In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla with a hand mixer. Beat on medium speed for about two minutes, or until fluffy.
-Using a piping bag or small spoon, carefully fill each strawberry with cheesecake mixture.
-When serving, place cheesecake-stuffed strawberries on a small platter with a bowl of the melted chocolate in the middle.
-Dip strawberry in chocolate (optional) and enjoy. Feeding your partner a strawberry is a sweet, romantic gesture.

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