There’s one place that doesn’t require reservations on Valentine’s Day, and that’s your home.
Most likely, you’ve been doing a lot of cooking at home with your significant other. For couples, making a meal together could grow into a shared passion in the kitchen.
Chef Darline Dorcely has cooked up decadent dinner from her new cookbook, A Taste of Caribbean Cuisine.
“Salmon is a natural aphrodisiac that has an excellent source of protein, and it is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Asparagus is rich in vitamin B6,” says Chef Darline.
Here is Chef Darline Dorcely’s recipe for a romantic dinner at home featuring salmon, mashed potatoes and asparagus. And for the meat lovers, steak is an alternative.
Salmon
- 3 Salmon Seasoning fillets
- salmon
- oil
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Sauce
- 3 tbsps butter
- 1 tbsp garlic minced or 4 cloves finely chopped
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 tbsps soy sauce
- sriracha to taste
- 2-3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Start off by rinsing the salmon and patting dry with a paper towel.
- Add a drizzle of oil to the salmon, coating both sides with the oil.
- Combine salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Season both sides of the salmon.
- Add oil to a large pan, allow the oil to become very hot. Add salmon skin side down and sear the salmon until the color at the bottom turns from pink to slightly white. Flip salmon over and repeat.
- Remove the salmon onto a clean plate and set aside.
- Using the same pan add butter, garlic, and combine. Add honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, sriracha, and brown sugar.
- Combine the mixture and allow it to reduce slightly before adding the salmon to the sauce.
- Base the salmon with the sauce from the pan, by spooning it over. Until the salmon is well coated.
Steak
For the meat lovers out there, here is Chef Darline’s recipe for steak.
- 1/4 pounds sirloin steak I like top sirloin
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh herbs such as thyme, parsley or chives, plus more for garnish
Instruction
- Pat each steak dry with a paper towel. Heat a large cast iron skillet or other heavy pan over medium high heat.
- Pour the olive oil into the pan. Season the steaks on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the steaks in a single layer in the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until browned. Use a thermometer to cook the steak to your desired level of doneness. I recommend cooking to medium which is 145 degrees F.
- While the steak is cooking, place the butter in a bowl along with the garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Let the steaks rest for at least 5 minutes off the heat. Place a dollop of butter on top of each steak. Slice the steak. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired, then serve.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- potatoes
- whole garlic head
- oil
- salt
- butter
- half and half
- Remove the top of the garlic and drizzle with oil. Wrap with aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet to roast at 400F for about 30-40 minutes until the cloves are lightly browned and feel soft when pressed. Remove from the shell and set garlic aside.
- Peel, wash, and add potatoes to boiling water to boil until fork tender.
- Drain potatoes, add butter, salt, and 1/2 and 1/2 along with roasted garlic and mash.
- Seasoning the asparagus with salt and pepper little bit of garlic powder and sauté for 5 minutes
ABOUT CHEF DARLINE DORCELY
Darline Dorcely is a chef and general manager of Chef Liline, a premium catering service based out of Stamford, CT. She earned hospitality management and culinary arts certifications from Norwalk Community College in 2015 and an Associate of Science in Business Administration in 2019. Darline also has a growing YouTube and Tik Tok channel, where she shares even more of her delicious recipes.