Pull out all the stops. Add an extra pat of butter. Spring for the nicer cut of steak. Break out the fine china. Go on! Yesterday we gave you a date night recipe for Open-Faced Ravioli with Egg and Wilted Greens, and today we have eight more recipes to add to your list.
Date nights are a fine balance between extravagance, effort, and reward. We think these recipes meet all three criteria:
• Chicken with Artichokes and Angel Hair from Martha Stewart - Angel hair pasta always seems to up the ante from casual to fancy.
• Filet Mignons with Spiced Butter, Glazed Artichokes, and Haricot Verts from Gourmet - You can have regular grilled steak any ol' time. The butter and sides make it a date night steak.
• Scallops with Polenta, Wild Mushrooms, Sherry and Parsley Breadcrumbs from Bon Appétit - Sweet, earthy, creamy, and crunchy, all in one delicious dish.
• Cheese and Asparagus Soufflé from Vegetarian Times - A guaranteed show stopper.
• Truffled Gnocchi with Peas and Chantarelles from Saveur - Homemade gnocchi, check. Truffle oil, check. Creamy sauce, check. Go for it.
• Roast Salmon with Sweet Chipotle Glaze and Hominy Puree from Epicurious - If you want to spice things up a bit.
• Tagliatelle with Spinach, Mascarpone, and Parmesan from Jamie Oliver - Simple enough to throw together after work. Awesome enough to make you swoon.
• Lamb Chops with Cilantro-Mint Sauce from Leite's Culinaria - This recipe will definitely win you some kisses.
What's your favorite date night dish?
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(Image: Martha Stewart and Martyn Thompson/Gourmet)
(Originally published April 22, 2011)
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I like do lamb cutlets with creamy caramelized onion mashed potatoes... feels fancy and cozy at the same time. And a bottle of full bodied red wine!
Now that I'm married, the date night menu has become pizza, a crunchy romaine salad, and a glass of wine. After the kiddie is at last asleep, if I cook we won't eat until 10:00. But we get to eat pizza toppings (like black olives or arugula) that the little one recoils from.
For a veg/vegan date night dinner-- the chickpea picatta recipe from Post Punk Kitchen is awesome. (http://www.theppk.com/2010/09/chickpea-picatta/)
Risotto is my standby, especially butternut squash risotto with cajun shrimp. It's also hard to go wrong with a roast chicken with potatoes and a vegetable; it's pretty hands-off, which leaves you time to finish cleaning up or getting ready.
@MidwifeMegan - The chickpea picatta recipe is delicious!
That chicken with artichokes looks delicious.
I recently made that Chicken with Artichokes and Angel Hair recipe (a few times, actually) and loved it-- it's delicious and easy. I highly, highly recommend it.
We're both in love with the recent post on grilled cheese using mayo to brown the bread (with a combo of cheddar and pepperjack inside). Paired with a red lettuce salad and sweet potato fries. Delish!
I cant wait to try these recipes
We'll have portobello "steaks" stuffed with greens and topped with cheese. Doesn't take all day to cook, but feels very fancy, and tastes as good as a regular steak!