
This Valentine’s Day, instead of going out to dinner, show your sweetheart how much you love them by cooking a romantic meal at home. When you cook at home instead of going out, you don’t have to worry about making reservations, you avoid the crowds, and you save money. And the best part is that you can create a menu that you and your loved ones will enjoy.
If you’re looking for inspiration, try my Filet Mignon with Pomegranate Dijon Sauce as an entrée along with my Roasted Asparagus and Grape Tomatoes with Balsamic and Pecorino. And to end the dinner on a sweet note, dive into my Chocolate Espresso Pots de Crème.
Filet mignon (aka beef tenderloin) is the most tender cut of beef and also the most expensive. Although it’s pricey, it will cost you a lot less to prepare it at home than to order it at a restaurant. And although you generally want to limit the amount of red meat that you eat, there are actually 29 cuts of beef that are considered to be “lean.” To meet the USDA standards as a lean cut of beef, a 3.5 ounce serving must have less than 10 grams total fat, less than 4.5 grams saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol (for more information check the link at the bottom of the post). Beef tenderloin is included on the list of lean cuts. I like to serve the steak with a simple pan sauce made with pomegranate juice, Dijon mustard and beef stock. The sauce has a delicious sweet and savory flavor as well as a lovely rich, ruby color that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.


Recipe
Filet Mignon with Pomegranate Dijon Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 filet mignon steaks (4 ounces each)
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 3 teaspoons neutral-flavored oil like grape seed or safflower, divided
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- 1 small clove garlic, smashed
- ¼ cup pomegranate juice
- ½ cup brown veal or beef stock
- ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon cold unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium high heat. Add the steaks to the pan and sear 2-3 minutes until a golden crust forms. Turn the steaks over and and cook another minute, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Cook until steaks are desired doneness, about 6-10 minutes for medium rare depending on the thickness of the steaks. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and place the steaks on a plate. Cover with foil to keep them warm while you make the sauce.
- Heat the skillet on the stove over medium heat and add the remaining teaspoon of oil. Add the shallots and garlic and cook 30 seconds until shallots start to soften. Add the pomegranate juice and stock and turn the heat up to high. Simmer until the sauce is reduced by half and slightly thickened, a few minutes. Lower the heat and whisk in the mustard and butter. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Remove the garlic clove.
- Serve the steaks with the pomegranate Dijon sauce drizzled on top. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, if desired.
Nutrition
Recipe
Roasted Asparagus and Grape Tomatoes with Balsamic and Pecorino
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 1 bunch asparagus spears, ends trimmed
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Mandarano Balsamic Glaze & Sauce (or other good quality balsamic vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Toss the tomatoes and asparagus with the olive oil and season them with salt and pepper. Place the vegetables on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
- Roast the vegetables in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the tomatoes are softened and the asparagus is crisp tender. Arrange the vegetables on a platter. Drizzle the vinegar over the vegetables and sprinkle the cheese on top.
Nutrition
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 2 ½ ounces semisweet chocolate (about 6 tablespoons)
- 3 egg yolks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat the cream, milk, sugar and espresso powder in a medium saucepan until it just comes to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar and espresso powder. Turn off the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Whisk the egg yolks in a large bowl. Pour a small amount of the warm chocolate mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly. Pour the rest of the mixture into the yolks in a slow stream while whisking. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into 4 ramekins.
- Place the ramekins in a large roasting pan or baking dish. In a kettle or small pot, bring about 4 cups of water to a simmer. Place the roasting pan on a shelf in the middle of the oven and carefully pour the simmering water into the pan so that it comes halfway up the sides of the ramekins (this is referred to as a hot water bath). Cover the pan with foil and bake in the oven until the edges of the custards are set but the centers are still slightly wobbly, about 45-55 minutes. Remove from oven and place the ramekins on a wire rack to cool for an hour. Then refrigerate until cold, a few hours or overnight.
- Serve pots de crème with a dollop of lightly whipped cream, if desired. Garnish with chocolate shavings and a dusting of espresso powder.
Nutrition
Here are a couple of side dishes that would be perfect with this meal!
What are you having for dinner this Valentine’s Day? Leave a comment and let me know!
yash says
Yummy !!
I like it
Thanks for sharing with us.
cute desserts.
Shrey Patel says
Oh my goodness!
Gorgeous Valentine's Day desserts.
Thank You.
Jody says
I shared to my Foods for Foodies group I hope that is okay. I copied your link. Let me know if I did something wrong. thanks so much!
sonaliruder says
No problem- thanks for sharing!
18b4f5e0-d1e4-11e0-9aa5-000bcdcb5194 says
I would die for vegs and dessert, but not the meats. Any suggestions for salmon?
sonaliruder says
Yes, salmon would work great in this menu! I have a few salmon recipes on my site- you can find them by clicking on the "Recipes" link at the top of the page.
Anonymous says
These recipes look great!! I'm trying all three for our anniversary. But I need help choosing the right red wine for this particular Filet Mignon recipe. Any suggestions? I've never tried a Dijon sauce with steak yet. My husband and I enjoy the sweeter, rather than dry, wines.
sonaliruder says
Thank you for your comment and Happy Anniversary! If you prefer sweeter red wines, you might want to try a port or sweet Lambrusco, an Italian wine. I think they would both work well in this dish. I like to add mustard to my pan sauces- it helps thicken the sauce and it adds nice flavor. If you're hesitant, start with a little and add more to taste. Good luck!
Jill Mant~a SaucyCook says
Ok, you over achievers are just killin me!!! You and Dr Grace at GracefulCuisine are just inspirational. How do you find the time? Your Valentines Dinner sounds delish and remarkably similar to mine. I did a Bernaise Sauce with our filets, which is no where near as healthful as yours. My roasted asparagus did not enjoy the company of your Vitamin C laden tomatoes, which btw, look lovely. And our desert? Let's just say I put the ER room on alert!!
This is my first time visiting your beautiful cyber home, but it will not be my last.
Cheers!
sonaliruder says
Thanks for your comment, Jill! It is hard to find time to do it all but I love to cook so I end up spending most of my free time creating and developing recipes. Your Valentine's Day feast sounds delish- I love a good Bernaise sauce! Btw, I started following your Facebook page.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
We don't eat beef-- but what a lovely spread of V-Day menu!! So drool-worthy 😀
Happy Valentines!!!
sonaliruder says
Thanks, Kiran! Happy Valentine's Day!
Yi @ Yi Reservation says
Wow what a fantastic homemade Valentine's Day dinner. Every course is impeccably delicious and eye appealing.
I normally cook Valentine's Day dinner at home but this year I decided to eat out for a change. Otherwise I'll definitely put the recipes in use.
Btw, I found your blog through instagram 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much for your comment! I had a lot of fun preparing and photographing this meal. I love your pictures on instagram! Happy Valentine' Day!
ur says
The pictures make the dishes extra delicious.It is hard to believe that such a fabulous dinner can be done in such a short time.The dessert looks awesome!ur
sonaliruder says
Thank you! Yes, these recipes are all easy to make. The pots de crème can even be made ahead of time and refrigerated for a couple of days. Happy Valentine's Day!
Lynda @ TasteFood says
Lovely menu, Sonali. I love those asparagus.
sonaliruder says
Thanks, Lynda!
sonaliruder says
Thanks, Emily! Yes, the steak recipe is easy to make and with a cut like filet mignon, you don't have to do too much to it. Happy Valentine's Day!
Angela says
It all loves divine! Especially the dessert...
sonaliruder says
Thanks, Angela- am looking forward to trying your chocolate soufflé recipe!
Anonymous says
These dishes are a feast for the eyes and I'm sure that they will taste absolutely delicious. I'm a vegetarian, my husband isn't and we're both chocoholics!
sonaliruder says
Thanks for stopping by! If you're chocolate lovers, you definitely have to try the pots de crème (and be sure to make enough for leftovers!). Happy Valentine's Day!
Elpiniki says
Everything looks so beautiful and delicious!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much for your comment!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Who would want to go out when you can have a meal like this! Wow! Perfection!
sonaliruder says
Thank you! Yes, this year I will definitely be staying in on Valentine's Day- it's more romantic!