Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Home This Year

You could fight for a reservation at your favorite restaurant, spend money on a new outfit for the special occasion, brave the inevitable winter weather, and deal with the crowds of people this Valentine’s Day. Or, you can spend quality time with your loved one in the comfort of your own home without having to deal with any of those factors that could turn a special night into one of chaos and frustration.

You don’t have to spend an absurd amount of money or go to extravagant lengths to prove your love and appreciation for someone. As they say, it’s the thought that counts, right? So this Valentine’s Day, let your propane appliances help bring the magic alive and spend some quality time with your significant other cooking your favorite meal. And of course, if you need some help planning your evening, we’ve got you covered. Check out some of our favorite recipes for the perfect Valentine’s Day meal!

Strawberry Ricotta Bruschetta

Having a fun appetizer to snack on while dinner cooks is a great way to start the evening. Try this interesting spin on a classic from Taste of Home, Strawberry Ricotta Bruschetta, and let the conversation start flowing!

Ingredients

• 24 slices French bread baguette (1/2 inch thick)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh mint
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons seedless strawberry jam
• 1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Directions

1. Brush bread slices with butter; place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the strawberries, mint and honey; set aside. In another bowl, combine the ricotta, jam and lemon zest. Spread ricotta mixture over toast; top with strawberry mixture.

Steakhouse Sheet Pan Dinner for Two

If you were planning to make a reservation at a restaurant, there’s a good chance you were going to choose a steakhouse. So, why not bring the steakhouse to you? This one sheet pan recipe for two from Food Network is an easy way to make the perfect Valentine’s Day meal, and avoid a messy cleanup.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the sheet pan
• 4 tail-on jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 3 small cloves garlic, minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes (about 6), sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
• 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• One 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed completely dry
• 2/3 cup shredded Gruyere (about 5 ounces)
• Two 8-ounce New York strip steaks (1 to 1 1/2 inches thick)

Directions

1. Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Lightly grease a third of an 18-by-13-inch sheet pan with butter.
2. Toss the shrimp with the melted butter, 1 teaspoon thyme, a third of the minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl until well coated; set aside.
3. Mix the Parmesan, 1/3 cup heavy cream, remaining 1 teaspoon thyme, half the remaining garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
4. Arrange half of the potato slices in a single, overlapping layer on the buttered part of the sheet pan and pour the heavy cream mixture over the top. Top with the remaining potato slices. Cover the potatoes with foil and bake until tender when pierced with a fork, 15 to 17 minutes.
5. Whisk together the cream cheese, remaining 1/3 cup heavy cream, remaining garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Fold in the spinach until well coated. Divide the mixture between two 4-inch ramekins and press the spinach down so that it is flat and the cream mixture is pooling a bit on top.
6. Remove the pan from the oven, remove the foil and sprinkle the potatoes with the Gruyere. Put the steaks down the middle of the pan and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Put the ramekins on one end of the empty third of the pan so that they are side by side.
7. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the steak registers 95 degrees F, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and turn on the broiler. Create 2 hearts with the shrimp on the pan beside the ramekins by connecting the tails. Broil until the steaks start to turn brown in some spots, an instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the steak reaches 125 degrees F (for medium-rare), the shrimp are opaque and the cheese on the potatoes turns golden and starts to crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and serve the steak on plates alongside the shrimp, potatoes and creamed spinach.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Now it’s time for arguably the best part of the meal – dessert. And nothing says “Valentine’s Day” quite like chocolate cake. This simple flourless chocolate cake recipe from Delish is sure to impress and be the “cherry on top” of a perfect evening at home!

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, cut into large chunks
• 1 tsp. instant espresso powder
• 1/4 c. hot water
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch process)

FOR THE GANACHE

• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
• Raspberries, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and grease an 8″ springform pan with cooking spray.
2. Make cake: Place a small saucepan filled halfway with water over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Place bittersweet chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set over the simmering pot, ensuring the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir until chocolate and butter are completely melted. Turn off heat and remove the bowl from the saucepan.
3. Dissolve espresso powder in hot water. Add sugar and espresso to melted chocolate and whisk until completely combined then add eggs and whisk to combine. Stir in cocoa powder.
4. Pour batter into prepared springform pan and bake until just set in the middle and a thin crust forms, about 35 minutes.
5. Let cake cool for 15 minutes, then remove sides of springform pan. Let cake cool completely.
6. Meanwhile, make ganache: Place heavy cream in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Place chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl, then pour hot cream over chocolate chips. Let sit 1 minute, then whisk to combine.
7. Pour ganache over cake and smooth with an offset spatula. Place in refrigerator until set, if desired, about 10 minutes.
8. Top with raspberries to serve.

Are Your Appliances Ready for Valentine’s Day at Home?

From heating your home, to cooking your food, and even providing a cozy ambiance through your fireplace, propane plays a big role in the success of your evening at home. Make sure your appliances are all working properly so your night can go off without a hitch, and schedule a safety check if necessary.

To schedule a safety inspection or order a propane refill, contact the Premier team at 877-435-3230!