Trying to come up with original dinner recipes for two can be hard. Especially when you’re cooking for your special someone. Even the most seasoned chefs will sometimes find them asking themselves what to quickly whip up for dinner.
Whether you’re looking for a quick and simple recipe to put together, or an easy three-course meal for you and your boo, look no further! We’ve put together a simple appetizer, entreé and dessert that you can whip up for dinner in no time at all. We’ve also included wine pairings that you can order through the WineCollective store to be delivered in time for your romantic evening at home.
Appetizer Recipe: Burrata Cheese Platter
What’s a great and easy dinner recipe that you can throw together a couple of hours in advance, and have it ready when you are? This one of course! The best part is that you can prepare this platter in under 10 minutes!
That means more time for your special date! Burrata cheese is an Italian cow’s milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream. While the outer layer is solid, break into it and you’ll receive a creamy, spreadable surprise. Yum!
What you’ll need:
- 1 ball fresh burrata
- Spring mix greens
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic glaze
- 1 tomato
- 1 jar of roasted red peppers
- Mix of olives
- Pickled beets
- Flakey salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
What to do:
- Place the ball of burrata in the centre of the serving platter. Surround the ball with the spring mix greens, and cover the platter as well.
- Add and arrange the roasted red peppers, olives, beets, and tomatoes.
- Drizzle some olive oil and balsamic glaze over the platter. Sprinkle flaky salt + ground black pepper, to taste.
- Serve with your favourite sliced artisan bread or pre-made crisps.
Looking for the perfect bottle of wine?
Pair it with a Pinot Blanc like this one.
Entree Recipe: Steak and Chimichurri
A quick and easy dinner for two but one that is decadent and full of flavour! A cast-iron seared steak with a flavourful chimichurri sauce that packs a punch of flavour in a bite. You can make the sauce ahead of time so it can develop in flavour, then sear the steak when ready to serve!
Made with parsley, oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar, and oil, it is so simple and quick – but arguably one of the best sauces for steak. Try it and you’ll want a side of chimichurri every time you have steak.
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup of tightly packed parsley
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup (65 ml) red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- Black pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Steak (flank, hanger or skirt)
- Oil to sear steak (preferably with a high smoke point)
- You might also need: A meat thermometer
What to do:
- Start by making the sauce. Add all of the ingredients except for the oil into a food processor and pulse until it looks finely chopped, but not a paste. If you don’t have a food processor, you can do this with a hand/immersion blender too.
- Add the oil and mix.
- Allow to rest for at least an hour before serving.
- When ready to serve, heat your oil until it is almost smoking, then pan-sear the steak in a cast-iron skillet for two minutes on each side or until the centre of the steak reads a temperature of 125 ºF (around 50 ºC).
- Rest your steak for 5-7 minutes before slicing against the grain into strips and serve on a platter.
- Enjoy with the chimichurri sauce.
Looking for the perfect bottle of wine?
Pair it with a Monastrell or Syrah like this one
Dessert Recipe: Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries look elegant and are simply irresistible. Yet they’re one of the easiest and cheapest desserts to make. They’re also customisable, and you can add your favourite toppings to them while the chocolate is still wet. Prepare these in advance and store them in the fridge uncovered for a day, or, if you are serving on the same day, feel free to set them outside away from heat and sunlight until you’re ready to dive in!
What you’ll need:
- 5 ounces (140 g) of baking chocolate chips (you can use bittersweet, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate)
- 1 pound of fresh strawberries with the stems attached
- Toppings of your choice (sprinkles, graham crackers, chopped nuts)
You might also need:
- Baking sheet
- Wax paper or parchment paper
What to do:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- Wash the strawberries and dry them very well. You’ll want to ensure the strawberries are completely dry because any remaining water will cause the chocolate to seize and harden up.
- Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Prepare any additional toppings in advance if you will be using them, and set aside. Feel free to experiment with shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and even crushed pretzels!
- Microwave the chocolate in 30 second intervals, removing and stirring at each interval until it is melted and smooth. Stir often to avoid burning the chocolate.
- Holding each strawberry by the stem, dip into the chocolate, then lift and twist to let any excess chocolate drip off. If you will be using toppings, now is the time to dip into them. Place the strawberry on the sheet lined with wax paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries.
- Chill the strawberries until the chocolate sets, usually 10-15 minutes.
- Store until ready to serve!
Looking for the perfect bottle of wine?
Pair it with a sweet Semillon like this one.
A Simple, yet Special Night In
There you go! With less than an hour in preparation, you can make these easy recipes in advance to store and serve when ready, leaving you with more than enough time to enjoy with your loved one.
Looking for more recipe ideas? Check out our Après Ski Recipes and if you’re looking to explore more wines and great pairing ideas, be sure to head over to the WineCollective store!