We’re going to the chaple and we’re gunna get married.
No, not me! This special Friday broadcast of Pass the Sushi is to celebrate Steph from Steph’s Bite by Bite‘s wedding! I can’t imagine the kind of planning and organization that goes into weddings these days, but Steph had to bump her’s up almost a year sooner than expected and she has been working her booty off to have the best wedding ever – all while still running 10ks…. Seriously? I find working my normal job, cooking, running this blog, and biking tiring enough – when does she find the time?
So grab a drink, something pink, and celebrate with us as we showcase our favorite Date Night Meals in honor of our bride to be!
I love a quick cooking cut of meat for date nights. Key words being quick (yeah, no slaving away in the kitchen – more time to pick out pink frillies) and meat (this is for the men to!). A great hearty meal with some creamed spinach (buy more spinach than you think you need! Trust me on this one) and a nice glass of red wine, some candles lit and some netflix waiting in the queue and you’ve got a perfect low key date night whether it’s your 1st or 15th anniversary.
London Broil with Herb Butter
from Food Network Magazine Feb/Mar 2009
Ingredients
For the steak:
- 1 beef bouillon cube
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 top round London broil steak (about 2 pounds)
For the herb butter:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chervil or tarragon
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Preparation:
Prepare the steak: Dissolve the bouillon cube in 3/4 cup hot water in a bowl; set aside to cool. Whisk in 2 tablespoons olive oil, the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place the steak in a large resealable plastic bag, pour in the marinade and seal, squeezing out the air. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 1 day.
Prepare the herb butter: Mix the butter with the chives, parsley, chervil, a pinch of salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the lemon juice in a bowl.
About 30 minutes before cooking, remove the meat from the bag (discard the marinade), dry it well and bring to room temperature. Heat a large heavy skillet over high heat, about 2 minutes. Rub the steak with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon salt over the surface of the pan; add the meat and set a heavy skillet on top to weigh it down. Sear for about 7 minutes; turn the steak, replace the weight and cook until a thermometer inserted into the side reads 110 degrees for medium-rare, about 5 minutes.
Transfer the steak to a cutting board; brush with some of the herb butter, tent with foil and let rest for about 10 minutes. Thinly slice against the grain; top with more herb butter and drizzle with the pan juices.
Creamed Spinach
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk, at room temperature
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 pounds spinach, tough stems removed
- 1 large egg plus 2 egg yolks
- Freshly ground pepper
Preparation
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth; cook, stirring, until the mixture lightens, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat; whisk in the milk, 2 teaspoons salt and the nutmeg. Return to medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking. Remove from the heat again; stir to cool slightly.
Heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach and 1 teaspoon salt; cover and cook about 3 minutes. Toss with tongs, then continue to wilt, uncovered, about 2 more minutes. Drain and cool slightly, then squeeze the spinach until dry. Coarsely chop.
Gently reheat the sauce, then whisk in the whole egg and yolks; cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Stir in the spinach; heat through. Season with salt and pepper.
Steph – you’ve been a great blogging friend! I wish you and Lucas all the best and know your wedding is going to rock out. I hope you enjoy these Date Night meals in the future with your new hubby and continue to thrive at being the awesome woman you are!
(Now I’m off to bake some cookies 
)~K
Oh! And it should be noted that this is the meal that led to that martini the other day (and the mess that came along with it) but take a sip – or two, sit back and keep rolling. It’s all going to come out in the wash.
My name is Kita. I am a 20 something girl geek and website/graphic designer who can rock an apron like there is no tomorrow.
Yum! A steak night at home, perfect romantic dinner!
This is so fun. I’m drooling over this herb butter. Beautiful London broil, Kita!
This looks amazing!
Oh yay this looks like such a great meal. I’ve never had london broiil, but I saw it next to the flank steaks when I was shopping for my meal. Guess I know where to get it when I get around to making this
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That London broil looks perfectly cooked. Great for any date night!
Such a great host Kita! You know I’ve only ever bought london broil already cooked in the deli meat form for Philly steak sandwiches….This looks like a great alternative to pot roast….can’t wait to find out.
Such a great job Kita!! You did a great job at organizing this and your London broil looks amazing!
Yes please!
I never buy London broil because I don’t know what to do with it – now I’m looking forward to the next time it’s on sale! This looks so yummy and man-friendly!
That looks so tender and juicy….drool!
Thank you so much for Hosting Stephs Virtual Bridal Shower. This is sure please any date nighters, after a martini or two, lemon drop my fav. All will be good, it is the thought that counts! I am going to try this one, as I get tired of Rib Eye! Kita, thank you for being a great Virtual Friend!
Remember Steph is having a Bridal Dessert Bar! get to baking and send something this week… I am going to put all your hard work in a book for her! Thanks again Kita
I have some baked goods header her way for the dessert bar too! Thank you for stopping by and congratulations to you as well (I’m sure you are just as excited as she is!)
You have me drooling over here…
how sweet. This is super cool. that steak looks so juicy I love the blood caught in the ring around your cutting board effect. oh man what a carnivore I turned out to be.
Okay so I want to go to a bridal shower that you are in charge of. That is all.
Kita!
I can’t even begin to put in to words how awesome this is! You are so sweet and I am so lucky to have such a rock star blog-friend. I wish you lived next door so I could gobble this meat up! I need my protein fix
THANKS AGAIN! LOVE YA GIRL
this was such a sweet thing that you did for Steph. Everything everyone made looks so delicious. I’m definitely going to give these recipes for date nights with my hubby!!
This looks scrumptious. You really knocked this out of the park. It’s just gorgeous. I bet it tastes amazing. Beautiful pictures.
Looks great…. perfectly cooked.
Awesome recipe! Looks delicious and certainly date-night worthy! I’m so sad I couldn’t link up. Stupid computer that ate my post. UGH. Thanks for organizing, regardless!
Awww, this is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen! Love that you guys did this for such a deserving and awesome fellow blogger! Congrats to Steph! (And the london broil looks amazing, I don’t make much steak but when I do that’s one of my go-to cuts… will definitely have to try this!)
Great idea, Kita! I just saw another one a few posts back and I thought ‘GENIUS!’ Love this London Broil…my testosterone levels just peaked
Buzzed!
What a delicious meal and such a nice thing to do! Buzzed!
What a sweet idea to throw this shower and what a lovely dish! I have been browsing the others and they all sound so delicious. Yum!
Aw, the virtual bridal shower is such a fun idea! This london broil sounds perfect for date night. Love that you’re not spending the whole evening in the kitchen!
Oh, yum! This would be a huge hit at our house! How wonderful of you to organize a virtual shower for Steph…I love all the delicious dishes from some of my favorite bloggers!