I’ve always been a critic of Valentine’s Day — chronically single throughout middle and high school, I used to sneer at cheesy couples who used the day to flaunt their romance. But after 18 years of loneliness, I finally have a Valentine, and I couldn’t be more excited for Feb. 14. If, like me, you’re looking to treat your significant other to a special evening, this meal is perfect. Nothing says “be mine” like a classy steak dinner accompanied by roasted potatoes and asparagus, followed by decadent chocolate-covered strawberries!

Pan-Seared Steak

Haydin Zogaric / Daily Nexus

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound steak (cut of your choice– I used tri-tip)
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. In a medium-sized skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high.
  2. Rub steak with garlic salt, black pepper and fresh rosemary sprigs.
  3. Sear steak cutlets until dark brown on both sides, about 5-7 minutes. 
  4. Place steak in a baking dish and finish cooking in the oven until medium-rare.

Oven-Roasted Vegetables 

Haydin Zogaric / Daily Nexus

Ingredients:

  • 1 russet potato
  • 10-15 asparagus spears
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Trim the stalks off of the asparagus and chop the potato into bite-sized pieces.
  2. In a sheet pan, toss with olive oil until evenly coated, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  3. Bake in the oven on 375 F for 20-25 minutes, until the potatoes form a crisp edge. 

Chocolate Strawberries

Haydin Zogaric / Daily Nexus

Ingredients:

  • 16 ounce package of strawberries, washed and dried
  • 3.5 ounce bar of milk or dark chocolate, chopped

Directions:

  1. Place the chopped pieces of chocolate in a bowl and microwave on medium heat, stopping and stirring at 30-second intervals until melted and smooth. 
  2. Dip strawberries into melted chocolate, using a spoon to make sure the sides are covered evenly. 
  3. Let sit for 20-30 minutes until the chocolate is dried and forms a hard shell.

—

With these three simple dishes, a bottle of red wine and some mood-setting candles, you have the perfect recipe for a romantic evening with your date or a lively gathering with your Galentines. Whoever you choose to treat this Valentine’s Day, they will surely enjoy this easy, elegant meal.  

A version of this article appeared on p. 11 of the February 3, 2022 print edition of the Daily Nexus.

Print