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!
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!