It’s February 14th, and it’s a weekday—what’s a food-loving romantic to do? How about this indulgent, ready-in-30-minutes dinner for two?
All recipes serve two. If you like, add a loaf of crusty bread to round out the meal.
Just becauseValentine’s Dayfalls on a weeknight doesn’t mean dinner has to get the short shrift. This menu pulls out all the stops, but leaves more time for romance. It pairs vodka-steamed lobster with a buttery tomato dipping sauce. A green salad with luxurious touches of silky prosciutto and avocado provides the perfect contrast. And the dinner concludes with a rich but oh-so-simple chocolate pudding.
Dinner and a Movie:Watcha video of this menucome together.
As an alternative to this menu, use theValentine’s Day Menu Makerto customize your own romantic dinner for two.
Menu Timeline
30 Minutes Ahead
- Bring the lobster cooking liquid to a boil.
- Heat the half-and-half and whisk the eggs for the pots de creme.
25 Minutes Ahead
- Steam the lobsters.
- Make the pots de creme, divide into serving glasses, and chill.
15 Minutes Ahead
- Reduce the lobster steaming liquid.
- Wash the greens and make the dressing for the salad.
- Cut up the pears, avocado, and prosciutto for the salad.
5 Minutes Ahead
- Finish the dipping sauce for the lobster.
Shopping List
Fresh Produce
- 1 small firm-ripe Forelle pear
- 1 small ripe avocado
- 3 cups baby arugula, spinach, or mesclun mix
- 1 small shallot
- 1 bunch fresh thyme
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 medium lemon
Meat Eggs Dairy
- 2 whole live lobsters (1-3/4 lb. each)
- 2 thin slices prosciutto
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbs. cold unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces
Other Groceries
- 1 loaf crusty artisan bread (optional)
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbs. tomato paste
Pantry Staples
- 4 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 Tbs. granulated sugar
- Big pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Black peppercorns
