The "V" word and how to survive it

No one loves to eat out at a restaurant as much as me.  A night off from cooking where I can get inspired by new food is always a treat.  But really I love it because drinking multiple cocktails or glasses of wine in a restaurant feels sophisticated and classy.  Downing a bottle of sauvignon blanc on my couch on a Tuesday...well let's just say that while I love doing it...it doesn't have that same classy flair that I wish it did.  But I digress.  There is a time a place for a restaurant meal and for me, Valentine's Day just isn't that time.  I don't want to be squeezed into a crowded place with every other love bird in the city, worrying about what to order to how my hair looks after a long day of work.  I want to be home and relaxing with a big glass of good wine and an even bigger plate of delicious food.

My Valentine Dinner is made by Mark and it is an homage to our first sorta date, which was inadvertently on Valentine's Day.  It is always a Cast Iron Ribeye Steak and Perfect Baked Potato and it is always perfect, just like him.

Here are a few more tried and true favorites of mine that are sure to make your Valentine's Day special whether you are cooking for yourself, your family, or your special someone.

For the one you love MOST
Roasted Shrimp Dinner for One

Steaks
NY Strip with Chimichurri Sauce
Whiskey Balsamic Steak
BETTER-than-Steakhouse T-Bone Steaks
Rosemary Balsamic Steaks

Seafood
Coconut Curry Mussels
Pistachio-Parmesan Crusted Cod
Honey Chipotle Salmon

Other
Veal Osso Bucco
Maple-Whiskey Pork Chops
Rosemary Garlic and Caper Rubbed Lamb Chops
Chipotle Lime Chicken (I wasn't going to suggest a chicken, but this one is so stinkin' good)

Dessert (maybe I should have listed this first)
Strawberry Cannoli's
Cannoli Cheesecake
Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake
Chocolate Chocolate Goat Cheese Marble Swirl Brownies
Salted Butterscotch Sauce