Valentine's Day - Cooking for Two

Valentine's Day is just hours away, and with many making last-minute reservations to the restaurant of their choice or nearest to them, the pressure is on.

There's nothing more romantic than an intimate dinner, just for two, but you can step things up a notch and earn points for creativity by making a relaxing evening of delectable dining right from the comfort of your home this Valentine's Day.

Food visited 689 by Brian Lumley and spoke with Sous Chef Lendave Burton about preparing a simple, yet delicious dish for two.

Shrimp is a natural aphrodisiac, so it was most fitting that he chose to make the Shrimp Scampi, tossed with thin spaghetti and fresh tomatoes. The simple protein takes on flavour beautifully, and pasta is a dish that is easy to make, and also one that allows you to add your own creative twist.

If your significant other is not a fan of seafood, then no worries, Chef Lendave recommends that you can use chicken breast instead or even go vegetarian. By omitting the shrimp, you can amp up the vegetarian meal with tomatoes, adding carrots and string beans to the pasta production.

Pair this flavourful dish with a crisp Pinot Grigio or a Chardonnay, and you have the perfect Valentine's Day dinner for you and your sweetheart.

See the recipe below:

Ingredients

1 lb medium shrimp

1 lb thin spaghetti

2 tbsp olive oil

3 oz finely chopped onion

3 oz finely chopped garlic

4 oz small diced tomatoes

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/8 cup tomato sauce

1/2 cup shrimp stock

6 grams/ 4 lrg leaves basil

tt salt

tt pepper

Method

Cook pasta according to instructions on the box, cool down and set aside.

Marinate shrimp with salt, pepper, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 oz minced garlic, marinate for an hour, preferably.

At medium to low heat, sautée pot for 2 minutes, add 1 tbsp olive oil, onions and the rest of the garlic. Sautee for 1 minute, then add garlic and sautee for another minute.

Turn heat to medium-to-high heat and add shrimp and tomatoes, salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for 30 seconds then deglaze with the dry white wine. Reduce heat to medium and add shrimp stock, tomato sauce, and cook for a minute. Add the pasta and cook for another 2 minutes. Finish the dish with chiffonade/ finely chopped herbs.

Serve hot.

Bon appétit!