by Valerie Gawthrop

Created on: December 14, 2009

Valentine’s Day is second only to Mother’s Day as the busiest restaurant day of the year. Long lines, even with reservations, and inflated prices make dining out a poor choice on this occasion. Instead, cook dinner for your sweetheart. Save money and impress her at the same time.

Nothing is more romantic than a man who cooks. The woman in your life doesn't care that you’re saving a fortune. All she understands is that you’ve prepared a restaurant style meal especially for her. Don’t panic. It’s easy.

When it comes to cooking, most men have a specialty. If you’re the chili cook off champion, dazzle her with a pot of homemade chili served piping hot in bright red bowls. Buy a bag of mixed greens and a bottle of really great dressing for an easy salad. Cornbread mix is foolproof and the aroma as it bakes will convince her of your culinary skills. Serve dinner on a red-checked tablecloth with a single red rose centerpiece. Sprinkle heart confetti around the place settings. Heart-decorated cupcakes from the bakery make a perfect dessert.

Think your date might want something fancier? What guy isn’t the king of the barbeque? Grilling outside isn’t an option in February in most parts of the country but that doesn't mean you can’t cook steaks. Here’s a menu for a restaurant style steak dinner from your kitchen.

Buy the best beef you can afford. Even if you pay fifteen or twenty dollars a pound for nice fillets, the price is much less than you’d spend in a restaurant. If you’re not sure what to buy ask your butcher. Don’t know a butcher? Now’s the time to get acquainted. 

You have the steaks. The candles are lit and your Valentine is settled into a love-seat by the fireplace. Sneak into the kitchen and heat a small amount of extra virgin olive oil in a heavy skillet. Poke your steaks with a fork and rub butter into the entire surface of the meat. Place buttered side down in the hot skillet. While one side is searing, rub butter into the exposed surface. You can’t overdo the butter. Don’t disturb the meat until you know that the first side is seared, then turn. Let the steak finish cooking. Remove the steaks from the skillet and add a béarnaise sauce mix, preparing according to directions on the package, taking advantage of the drippings from the steaks to add flavor to your sauce. This is very easy to do and takes only minutes.  Knorr has an excellent mix that will turn you into an instant gourmet chef.

Layer fresh asparagus into a small casserole dish, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Put in a 375-degree oven for about fifteen minutes. Take advantage of shortcuts. You can find instant mashed potatoes in every flavor imaginable. These are simple to prepare in the microwave. Distract your Valentine with romantic music while you’re whipping up this delectable side dish. Think like a chef. Make a pastry bag by snipping off the tip of a food storage baggie. Fill with potatoes and pipe along the side of the plate. You don’t have to be an artist to pull this off. Ladle the béarnaise sauce onto the center of the plate; place the steak over the sauce. Top with roasted asparagus then drizzle with more béarnaise. Add a simple salad, a loaf of French bread and a ten-dollar bottle of Syrah. Serve strawberries dipped in chocolate for dessert.

For a fraction of the price, you can dish up a restaurant style dinner fit for a connoisseur at home. In addition to saving money, think how impressed your Valentine will be. Dim the lights and don’t forget to wear your KISS THE CHEF apron.

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