Valentines Steak, Shrimp and Pasta Dinner

Today I am sharing a recipe to make at home for your valentine. As much fun as it is to go out to dinner sometimes that just doesn’t work out. Maybe you have kids, or are on a tight budget, or simply don’t want to go out in the crowded restaurants. This year I am making my valentine a pan-seared rib eye steak dinner with a creamy shrimp scampi inspired pasta. Pan-searing the steak at a high temperature gives it that restaurant char on the outside with a nice medium tender center that is oh so crave-able! Roasting the shrimp in the oven makes them so sweet and flavorful and easy to cook! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Author: Christa Johnston

Christa Johnston is a busy wife and mother of two young boys and a self-proclaimed foodie. Her love of cooking stems from growing up in a large family where food was always in abundance and a focal point of every gathering. As a teenager, Christa was a frequent shopper of the Shoreview Fresh and Natural Foods location even as a young dancer grabbing a quick snack between classes. Now, with her two boys in tow she shops weekly for a quick sandwich, deli salad or natural organic ingredients to provide healthy eating choices for her delicious recipes! Christa will transform your Sunday Funday!

Servings: 2 (and some leftover pasta) | Prep Time: 15 | Cook Time: 45 minutes | Ready in: 1 hour

Ingredients

• Steak:
• 2 6 oz rib eye steaks; cut 3/4 inch thick
• 2 tsp steak season of your choice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 10 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 cloves of garlic; smashed
• 2 tbsp butter
• blue cheese crumbles
• balsamic vinegar
• Shrimp:
• 1 lb raw shrimp
• salt and pepper
• 1 clove garlic; minced
• Pasta:
• 1 lb linguine
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 shallots; thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic; minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (sauvignon blanc is a great choice)
• 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (reserving half a cup for sprinkling on top of pasta)
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

A quick tip before getting started;  have all of your ingredients chopped, minced and measured ahead of time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Place a large pot of salted water on the stove over high heat and bring to a boil, then cook your noodles according to package instructions.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place a cast iron skillet over high heat and place the olive oil in. While that is heating, liberally season the steaks all over. Place a drop of water in the pan, if it sizzles the pan is ready. Place the steaks into the pan and leave them there for 2 minutes flip over for another 2 minutes then throw in the butter, garlic and thyme sprig’s. Take a spoon and gather up the butter and garlic juices and pour it over the steaks a few times. Remove from the stove top and place in the oven for 10 minutes for medium rare; add another 2 minutes for medium and so on. Remove the steaks from the oven and place them on a plate to rest while you cook the shrimp and pasta. Place aluminum foil over the steaks to keep them warm.

Lower the temperature on your oven to 400 degrees. In a foil-lined pan, toss the raw shrimp in the olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Place into the oven and roast for 8 minutes. Then remove and set aside.

Meanwhile in another deep pan melt the butter over medium heat and cook the shallots for 3 minutes then add the garlic and cook 1 more minute;  remove from pan and set aside. Increase the heat to high and pour in the wine and chicken broth and allow it to reduce down for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add in the cream whisking constantly for about 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens, then whisk in the parmesan cheese. Put the shallots, and garlic into the sauce and then toss the cooked pasta in along with the parsley.

To plate this dinner pour a small drizzle of balsamic vinegar over the steaks along with some blue cheese crumbles. Plate the steaks along side a small serving of the pasta and place shrimp on top of the pasta (notice the cute shrimp heart!) along with another sprinkling of parsley over everything!