Valentine’s Steak Dinner for At-Home Date Night:

A friend told me that she thinks our kitchen is “sexy,” which is why this is exactly where we’ll be spending Valentine’s Day this year (oh, and because we’re in a global pandemic!).

After putting the kids to bed, we’ll create a restaurant-inspired steak dinner experience right in our own kitchen – fancy napkins, candles lit, the whole deal! Our is plan to get steaks from our local Taylor’s Ol’ Fashioned Meat Market (they offer the best quality in the Pasadena area!) and use a cooking method that’s easier and tastier than grilling – the oven!

I grew up in Texas where 90% of the beef I ate came off the grill, especially steaks, so the first time I heard of cooking steaks in the oven, I thought NO WAY would it taste good! But, if you buy quality beef, I promise this will become your favorite way to cook steak! Scroll down for the steak recipe from the Kitchn that we’ll be using.

Last-Minute Valentine’s Gift Idea:

AND… For those of you spending much more time at home these days (who’s not?), I need to recommend the best gift idea that you can get last minute on Amazon Prime – a Nespresso coffee machine!

My husband gifted me a Nespresso machine a couple years ago, and it is the gift that keeps giving every morning. I’m one of those that can’t do anything until I have a cup of coffee flowing through my veins, and Nespresso coffee is so delicious and delightful. There’s so many good flavors, and it makes every morning coffee feel like a special treat! And, I love how easy it is to make the coffee and clean up. It felt like such a major upgrade from our big coffee pot that we were making each morning.

This is the Nespresso machine my husband gifted me a couple years ago: Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Machine

But, Nespresso has a few machine options, depending on how much of a coffee lover you are. If you really want to impress your S.O., here is a top-notch machine for barista quality coffee: Nespresso Expert Original Espresso Machine

A few months ago, I purchased this EVERIE Glass Top Coffee Organizer, which has been so helpful in keeping our kitchen clean and organized. If you get a Nespresso machine from Amazon, I highly recommend adding this to your cart, too!

If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you should be able to get a Nespresso machine before Valentine’s Day.

Perfect Steak in the Oven Recipe by The Kitchn:

Serves: 2 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 5-7 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 (1 pound, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick) ribeye, T-bone, filet mignon, or strip steak
• 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Let the steak come to room temperature. Open the package and blot the steak dry with paper towels. Let the steak sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes on the counter; this helps it cook more evenly.
2. Heat the skillet under the broiler 20 minutes before cooking. Turn on your oven’s broiler to high and place an oven rack 6 to 8 inches below the broiler element. Put the skillet on the rack to heat up with the oven.
3. Rub the steak with oil. Drizzle a little oil over the steak and use your fingers or a brush to spread it evenly over the steak and on the sides. Sprinkle with half the salt and a few grinds of fresh pepper. Flip the steak and repeat on the other side.
4. Place the skillet over high heat. Turn on a stove burner to high heat. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using an oven mitt. Place it on the stovetop burner.
5. Sear the steak for 30 seconds. Use kitchen tongs to place the steak in the middle of the hot pan. It should sizzle immediately. Sear for 30 seconds.
6. Flip and sear the other side for 30 seconds. Flip the steak and sear the other side for 30 seconds.
7. Broil the steak for 2 minutes. Carefully put the skillet back below the broiler. Close the oven door and cook the steak for 2 minutes.
8. Flip and broil another 2 minutes. Pull out the skillet and carefully flip the steak using the tongs. Return to the oven and cook for an additional 2 minutes. At this point your steak will be medium-rare; if you prefer your steak closer to medium, add another 2 minutes to the oven time.
9. Rest the steak. Take the steak out of the oven and transfer it to a clean cutting board. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let the steak rest for about 5 minutes.
10. Slice and serve. Slice the steak and fan slices out on each plate. Serve immediately.

Enjoy! And, Happy Valentine’s Day!

XO Maggie

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love.