Don’t make that reservation. Instead, spend Valentine’s Day at home. Use this guide to create a delicious three course meal complete with a starter, entrée, and a dessert. Below is a five-star meal idea and tips and techniques to help you make it.
The Meal
Picture a meal of juicy, tender, braised short ribs with sautéed carrots and onions in a savory sauce. Serve it over creamy dreamy mashed potatoes, with grilled asparagus spears on the side. For dessert, enjoy a slice of tart but sweet berry cake. This gourmet meal is a whole lot easier to put together than you might think.
Valentine’s Day Starter
Before you and your sweetheart dig into the delicious entrée you have to have a starter course. This starter course is a super simple classic — wedge salad. The best lettuce to use for a wedge salad is iceberg lettuce because the leaves are nice and compact so they’ll hold their shape instead of falling apart. Cut the head of lettuce in half, then cut the halves into quarters and add your toppings.
Valentine’s Day Entrée
Don’t be intimidated by their name, preparing this braised short ribs recipe isn’t complicated. You only need to master two techniques — braising and sautéing.
How To Sauté: Leaning to sauté may be one of the simplest techniques in cooking. All you need to do is heat a small amount of fat over medium heat, then cook your veggies in it stirring continuously until they’re done. You can use butter, olive oil, or vegetable oil.
How To Braise Meat: Braising is a cooking technique that requires you to brown the meat then cook it on low heat in liquid for a long period of time. All you need to do is crank up the heat under a skillet and sear your short ribs on both sides then cook them in beef broth, sautéed onions, and carrots.
Valentine’s Day Sides
Who doesn’t love a side of creamy mashed potatoes? This recipe is so easy to follow that the only tip you need is what type of potatoes to buy. Russet or Yukon potatoes will yield the best texture and flavor.
Valentine’s Day Dessert
Berry cake is two to three layers of moist yellow cake with lemon mouse and fresh berries. Pro tip: sifting your flour before you make the batter will make it easier to combine with other ingredients and result in a better cake overall. Be sure to pick fresh in season berries for the best results.
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