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Serve a plateful of love this Valentine’s Day with these easy, decadent recipes

From a buttery, tangy salmon, to pork ribs and pizza, and a rich dessert — dishes to make V-Day date at home special

Pooja Mitra Published 13.02.24, 12:09 PM
Make this V-Day special with a delicious home-cooked spread

Make this V-Day special with a delicious home-cooked spread

Valentine’s Day is knocking on the door, and it’s time to plan a special day with a loved one. If you’re having a romantic dinner at home for two, or having the gang over for a friend’s night, and plan on donning the chef’s hat, look no further! We have a great menu for all of you whose love language is cooking for people. From entrée to dessert, My Kolkata has five cracking dishes for you to try.

Bon appetit!

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All the quantities are for a meal for two, for more people, please increase proportionally

Salmon in lemon butter sauce

Perfectly seared salmon with a buttery, tangy sauce — light yet indulgent.

Ingredients

  • Salmon fillets with skin and about 2 inches thick: 4 pieces (for alternatives to salmon
  • Unsalted butter: 100gm or Salted butter: 75gm
  • Chicken stock: ½ cup
  • Lemon juice: 3 - 4 tablespoons
  • Lemon or Kinnow slices: 2-3
  • Black pepper powder: 1 tablespoon or to taste
  • Minced garlic: 1 teaspoon
  • A paste of green chilli seeds: ½ teaspoon
  • Honey: 1 tablespoon or to taste
  • Brown sugar: 1 tablespoon
  • Salt: To taste
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons

Method:

  • Marinate the salmon fillets with salt and pepper, some lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes
  • In a skillet, add two tablespoons of butter and melt on low heat. Add brown sugar and mix well until the sugar is dissolved
  • Now add garlic and chilli paste and saute well
  • Strain the chicken stock and add to the skillet. Stir well, adding lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and let the stock boil, bringing the quantity to half
  • Add the rest of the butter and mix well. Add honey, check seasoning and balance. Gently stir all the ingredients together and bring it to a sauce-like consistency
  • On a grill pan or a non-stick tawa, add olive oil and heat. Place the marinated fillets and cook on medium flame until both sides are golden brown and the fish is not raw
  • Take a plate and add a few tablespoons of the lemon butter sauce. Place the salmon fillets and drizzle some more sauce. Garnish with the lemon or Kinnow slices. Serve piping hot

Tips:

  • The fish fillets should be in room temperature and dry
  • If the sauce requires a bit more thickness, add ½ teaspoon of cornstarch to it and mix very well
  • If salmon is not available, bekti or basa work well too, but without the skin

Heart-y pepperoni pizza

A heart-shaped pizza — if that’s not thoughtful and cute, what is? Pour the wine already!

Ingredients:

  • Store-bought whole wheat pizza base: 2
  • Shredded cheese: 200gm
  • Sliced green olives: 2 tablespoons
  • Sliced black olives: 2 tablespoons
  • Halved cherry tomatoes: 4-5 tablespoons
  • Jalapenos- 6-7 pieces
  • Basil leaves: 4-5
  • Chopped Kashmiri green chillies: 1 tablespoons
  • Pepperoni salami: 100gm
  • Pizza seasoning: To taste
  • Pizza sauce: 2 tablespoons
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Parchment paper: 1 large

Method:

  • Cut the pizza into a heart shape and add a layer of pizza sauce and cheese
  • Add the other toppings — pepperoni on the cheese and basil on top
  • Sprinkle pizza seasoning and drizzle some olive oil
  • Add another generous layer of cheese
  • Bake at 300°C for 3-4 minutes and serve hot

Glazed pork ribs 

Let’s not just stop at pizza on V-Day. Some glazed pork ribs with toasted sesame seeds is sure to be a hit!

Ingredients:

  • Pork ribs cut into medium/bite size pieces: 500gm
  • White sesame seeds: 2 tablespoons
  • Dark soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
  • Light soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
  • Honey: 3-4 tablespoons or to taste
  • Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
  • Salt: To taste
  • Black pepper powder: 1 tablespoon or to taste
  • Ginger paste: 1 tablespoon
  • Garlic paste: 1 tablespoon
  • Onion paste juice: 1 tablespoon
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons approximately

Method:

  • Dry roast the sesame seeds and keep aside
  • Wash the pork ribs well and boil for 8-10 minutes
  • Marinate the pork ribs with salt and pepper, ginger and garlic paste, onion paste juice and lemon juice
  • Heat oil in a nonstick pan and add the marinated pork ribs. Saute for 2-3 minutes on high flame and then cook on a low flame with the lid on for 10 minutes
  • Add the dark and light soy sauce and check seasoning
  • Put the cover back on and cook for another 25-30 minutes or until the ribs are done, tossing periodically
  • Add honey when the ribs are ready and sprinkle the sesame seeds. Toss for one final time and they ribs are ready to dig in

A side of mash and asparagus

While asparagus and mash might seem the best paired with your lemon-butter salmon, this one can actually be a delightful side with the ribs as well.

Ingredients:

  • Asparagus: 10-12 pieces
  • Salt: To taste
  • Black pepper powder: To taste
  • Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
  • Roasted white sesame seeds: 1 tablespoons
  • Salted butter: 2-3 tablespoons

Method:

  • Add butter to a skillet and heat. Do not let the butter turn brown
  • Add asparagus and the seasons, excluding the sesame seeds
  • Toss for 4-5 minutes or until cooked
  • Add the sesame seeds and toss again

Find the mashed potato recipe here.

Chocolaty and nutty strawberry bites

Chocolate and strawberries are always a winning combination. This quick and easy dessert goes perfectly well with a few more helpings of wine, for a sweet end to the romantic dinner.

Ingredients:

  • Strawberries: 200gm
  • Dark chocolate bar: 1 large
  • Chopped walnuts and slivered almonds: 1 small cup each
  • Powdered brown sugar: ½ of a small cup

Method:

  • Wash the strawberries and pat them dry. Prick toothpicks on the strawberries so they are easy to coat and nibble
  • Boil water in a pan and place a bowl on top of the pan, making sure the water does not touch the bowl.
  • Chop the chocolate bar into small pieces and put them in the bowl to melt them. Keep stirring gently
  • Dip the strawberries in powdered sugar, then in the molten dark chocolate, and finally in the chopped nuts of your choice.
  • Place them on a plate and put into a freezer for 20-30 minutes or until the chocolate is set. Enjoy!
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