By: Alexandra Hagberg Photo Editor

Are you hoping to treat your significant other to a wonderful Valentine’s Day, yet you don’t want to brave all the crowded restaurants and hour long waits for a table? The Squire consulted allrecipes.com to find quick and easy recipes that will blow your significant other away. Treating your love to these delicious recipes, you will be sure to leave them wondering, “could they possibly be marriage material?” Try out these recipes for a no-fail Valentine’s Day experience.

 

Filet Mignon with Rich Balsamic Glaze

Prep time: 5 mins       Cooking time: 15 mins           Ready In: 20 mins

What you will need:

2 (4 ounce) filet mignon steaks

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste

Salt to taste

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

¼ cup dry red wine

 

Steps:

1. Sprinkle freshly ground pepper over both sides of each steak, and sprinkle with salt to taste.
2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place steaks in hot pan, and cook for 1 minute on each side, or until browned. Reduce heat to medium-low, and add balsamic vinegar and red wine. Cover, and cook for 4 minutes on each side, basting with sauce when you turn the meat over.
3. Remove steaks to two warmed plates, spoon one tablespoon of glaze over each, and serve immediately.

You can pair this recipe with some cooked green beans and a baked potato. To keep the food moist and cook it evenly, use aluminum foil. Another benefit of using aluminum foil is that it makes clean up easier.

 

Grilled Shrimp Scampi

Prep Time: 30 mins       Cooking time: 6 mins    Ready in: 36 mins

What you will need:

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup lemon juice

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon minced garlic

Ground pepper to taste

Crushed red pepper flakes to taste (optional)

1 ½ pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

 

Steps:

1. In a large, non-reactive bowl, stir together the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, and black pepper. Season with crushed red pepper, if desired. Add shrimp, and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat grill for high heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard any remaining marinade.
3. Lightly oil grill grate. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until opaque.

 

The Squire interviewed Mrs. Alexander to get some tips for those of you who have minimum experience in the kitchen.

The Squire: What is your favorite Valentine’s Day meal?

Lewann Alexander: Filet mignon with garlic roasted red potatoes and almond slivered green beans.

TS: On Valentine’s Day, do you typically go out for dinner or stay in and cook?

LA: With kids, we generally try to get a babysitter and go out, just my husband and me. Plus, when you spend all your time in the kitchen, sometimes it’s nice to have someone else cook for you.

TS: For students within minimum experience in the kitchen, what’s one meal that you would suggest?

LA: Spaghetti with a meat sauce is a relatively easy beginner meal.

TS: Can you describe the steps to making that for us?

LA: First, you boil the water. Next, add in the pasta, and, in a separate pan, start cooking your meat. When your meat is fully cooked, add in the sauce. Let that simmer for a couple minutes. While your sauce is simmering, strain the noodles (do NOT rinse the noodles). When your sauce is fully ready, mix some of the sauce into the noodles. You are now ready to serve your meal.

TS: What are some meal preparations that can be done the day before to avoid spending the whole day cooking?

LA: Get the recipes and make sure that you have all that you need from the store. Follow the rules of mise en place, meaning have everything in its place so that when you start cooking your food you don’t have to stop to get something. Preparation is key to a well-timed meal.

Thank you, Mrs. Alexander, for the great advice. If you decide you don’t want to brave the crowded restaurants this year, try out some of these great recipes. If you’re looking to try something else, feel free to check out allrecipes.com. You’ll be sure to win over your love with your impressive skills!

Photo courtesy of allrecipes.com