Patio Dining: Romantic Dinner for 2

Valentine's Day is around the corner. Love is in the air! ❤️

How about staying in for your Valentine's date this year? Staying in allows you to skip the restaurant reservations, wait times, crowds and rush. Instead, you can enjoy a romantic dinner at home. 

 To transform your home to restaurant-quality atmosphere, add some romance to your patio. Decorate by dimming the lights and stringing twinkling gold Christmas lights across the patio or backyard, surrounding the area with candles, putting flowers on the table, scattering rose petals on the deck, and playing your favorite music. Voila! Romantic ambiance in no time. 

FEBRUARY FAVORITE: Corranade Bistro Set

Our top pick for a romantic dinner is the Corranade Bistro. This set features a neutral glass top and wicker, creating a classy refined style. More importantly, the cushions are extremely comfortable. It allows you to sit back, savor a nice meal and enjoy a solid conversation for hours. It's just like dining at a nice restaurant!


 Corranade 3 Piece Bistro Set in Custom Fabric Chili (available @ Home Depot).
Perfect for Valentine's, this color is versatile for daily use or romantic dinner dates.

Available in many options to fit your mood & style.


A ROMANTIC MENU

We've put together a dinner menu to help ease your planning. Spoil your loved one by cooking for them. Or, perhaps, make it a fun night by cooking together! (Tip: If you've never cooked together before, try it. There is something about food & creating food that makes you bond on a whole new level.)

APPETIZER
Start off the night with Crab Stuffed Mushrooms. The crab filling is creamy, yet well-balanced by the earthy tones of the mushrooms. Recommended: Add a side salad, soup, or loaf of bread.

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms from Hellmann's

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/3 c Hellman's Mayonnaise
  • 3 Tbsp Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
  • 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (or your preference of cheese)
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 can (6.5 oz) crabmeat or 1 c frozen crabmeat
  • 18 medium mushrooms

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F; rinse mushrooms.
  2. Remove & chop the mushroom stems; set aside in a bowl.
  3. Mix together mayonnaise, bread crumbs, cheese & garlic in a bowl. 
  4. Fold in crabmeat (thawed if using frozen) & mushroom stems.
  5. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps.
  6. Arrange evenly on baking sheet. Bake 20 min or until heated through, lightly browned on top.

ENTRÉE

The classic Surf and Turf is an elegant & (surprisingly) easy dish to make at home. We love that we don't have to decide between meat or seafood - its the best of both culinary worlds. Tip: Pair with your favorite wine!

INGREDIENTS


Surf and Turf  from MyGourmetConnection
  • 2 filet mignons (1 1/4 in thick)        
  • 2 lobster tails (5 oz each)
  • 1 Lemon
  • Olive oil, salt & pepper
  • 4 Tbsp butter, softened
  • 1/2 medium shallot, very finely chopped
  • 2 tsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS

  1. Remove filets from fridge; thaw to room temperature (~30 min). Preheat oven 400•F. 
  2. Make the butter compound by mixing softened butter, shallot & parsley. Shape into small rounds. Refrigerate for later use.
  3. Prep the lobster meat (click link for detailed instructions); rinse under cold water.
  4. Arrange tails on a greased & lined baking sheet. Garnish with some butter compound. Squeeze lemon juice on top of the tails. Set aside.
  5. Preheat a heavy skillet on high. Drizzle olive oil, salt & pepper over the steak filets. Add a very thin layer of olive oil to the pan. Sear the steaks for 1 1/2 min per side.
  6. When you sear the steaks, immediately put the lobster tails in the center rack of the oven. Cook until meat is firm & opaque (~ 6-8 min). 
  7. Remove lobster tails from oven; cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Keep watch to ensure you don't overcook them.
  8. When steak is done searing, transfer to prepared baking sheet; bake 4-7 min (depending on desired rareness, 4 min being rare). Once steak is done cooking, let it cool for 5 min. 
  9. Arrange lobster tails & steak filets on a plate, topping each filet and lobster with compound butter.

DESSERT

Valentine's Day is not complete without Chocolate Covered Strawberries, right? Finish off your gourmet dinner on a sweet note with these easy delectable delights. Tip: You can make these a day ahead to save time.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pack strawberries                                            
    Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Driscoll's
  • 6 oz semisweet baking chocolate 
  • Sprinkles (optional)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Rinse & dry strawberries well. 
  2. Follow melting instructions on chocolate package.
  3. Line a baking tray or countertop with foil or parchment paper. 
  4. If decorating with sprinkles, pour some out into a shallow bowl & set to the side.
  5. Take a strawberry by the stem; dip into melted chocolate. 
  6. Shake off excess chocolate & dip into sprinkle bowl. 
  7. Place strawberry on prepared baking sheet to dry. 
  8. Repeat with remaining berries. If chocolate solidifies, follow method to melt again.
  9. When finished dipping the berries, transfer to the fridge; cool for 15-30 min.


Happy Valentine's Day!! 


 



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