Tony and I had the best early Valentine’s dinner. We’ve only dined out on V-day once and vowed never to do it again. I found a cool restaurant, but what they failed to mention was that their Valentine dinner was pre fix, no substitutions and . . . $100 per person, without drink!
We almost walked out right then and there but we stayed. It was a small dining room, and while the food was delicious – it was small food because there were so many courses. After drink and tip I think we spent $275 on dinner and left still hungry! (Pretty sure my brother Charlie just had a hard attack reading that – he doesn’t like to spend money dining out, even if someone else is paying!)
We never could have gotten our dinner at a restaurant for $33! And its been ages since I’ve had bay scallops – they were so perfect – slightly sweet.
Our Menu
Bay Scallop Gratin
Sourdough Bread
Prime Filet Mignon with Rosemary Butter
Asparagus with balsamic vinegar and shaved Parmesan
Bay Scallop Gratin (printer friendly version here)
Adapted from Ina Garten
2 servings: 455 calories, 27 fat, 25 carbs, 1.6 fiber, 23 protein
12 PointsPlus
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Zest of half a lemon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons white wine
- ½ pound bay scallops
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Make the topping my mixing the butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, zest, salt, pepper, olive oil and panko bread crumbs. I just put all the ingredients in a bowl and whipped with a fork.
3. Put wine in bottom of baking dish. Layer the scallops on an even layer. Top with bread crumb mixture and bake for 10 minutes. Turn broiler on and broil until the top is bubbly and browned. Serve with crusty bread.
I wish I could describe how delicious this was – I think the lemon zest added to the topping makes this dish (and Ina didn’t have that in her original recipe – ha!). We each took our sourdough bread and soaked up all the buttery garlic goodness. Totally worth the 12 points! Actually, the next time I make this, I think I’ll reduce the butter and olive oil to one tablespoon each – and then serve it with a salad for a dinner.
I took the steaks out of the refrigerator 45 minutes before cooking – its key to have your meat at room temperature (that’s what she said!) otherwise if you have a cold steak to a hot skillet – you’ll get a tough steak.
Then into a 425 degree oven for exactly 10 minutes – flipping after the first five minutes.
Can I just tell you that the rosemary butter made this dish? I had a mushroom gravy on the side, but the butter mixed with the pan juices was all that was needed.
My plate – I ate only about 1/3 of the steak – it was so much meat! (that’s what she said!) My whole dinner came in at 29 points – nice! So I ended up with 47 points for the day, but I still have 31 flex points left for the week.
When we first cut into the steak and took our first bite, we both closed our eyes to savor the deliciousness – and best part with all the leftover filet? I had 2 ounces diced into my scrambled eggs – so good.
So we are headed to the hospital this morning to check Tony in before his surgery tomorrow. We had to go to the hospital yesterday to get his blood checked – he has an artificial heart valve, so he stopped taking his blood thinners Friday night – but its a delicate balance – you don’t want the blood too thin for surgery otherwise he bleeds a lot, and you don’t want it too thick because he may get a blood clot.
We were told to go to the Main Entrance since it was a Sunday and go to the lab. The woman said “no you have to go to the ER to get registered first.” We say we were told by several people that they knew he was coming and to go to the lab. So we go to the lab, and they also say to go to the ER. Mind you, the Main Entrance and the ER are on opposite sides of the hospital.
The woman walked us to the ER, we start registering, and she said “do you know your way back?” We did, so she left. Only one problem, to go back the way we came, you need a hospital ID and no one would let us back that way. So we had to go outside, walk down two flights of stairs, across the parking lot back to the main entrance! When we saw the woman who helped us and she apologized for us having to walk outside to get back to the lab.
So we go to the lab, and they have no clue why we are there. Apparently, all we had to do was go to the ER, register, they would call the lab, the lab would come to us, take the blood sample and we were good to go. Luckily, they took his blood at the lab and didn’t make us walk back to the ER!
On the BSI front – check out all the vanilla entries here – thanks for hosting last week Wendy!
This week’s BSI hostess is Sara of Cupcake Muffin – she chose green beans!
“it was so much meat! (that’s what she said!)” I am laughing my arse off right now…lol
Good luck today and tomorrow!! will be thinking of you both!
I would have been scared at $275 for dinner, too! I don’t think 2 of us have ever spent more than $100, but that is the inner cheapness shining through LOL!
I just love hospital efficiency, don’t you? :eyeroll:
Ugh…the same thing happened to me when I went out one V-day long ago! I also swore that I would never do it again….the whole experience made me cranky. lol Dinner looks amazing!
I hope you two love birds have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! I LOVE Asti. 🙂
Sending good thoughts your way, Biz….keep us posted!
Um, that looks like a SERIOUSLY awesome dinner. Glad you guys had fun celebrating Valentine’s Day at home. 🙂
Keeping you all in my thoughts. Sending healthy vibes Tony’s way! xoxo
Thank you so much for the scallop recipe. I have never had success making them at home but I think I can do this recipe!
What a pity you had such a run around (all puns intended) at the hospital.
I will be holding you both up in prayer as you make your through this week.
Yum! That is my kind of meal! I think that $275 meal out would have scarred me too!!! Making a special dinner at home would be my preference, but with kids it’s not quite as relaxing. We’re going out tonight, but nothing too fancy. Just want to get away with each other ALONE!!! 🙂
I’m not sure how much I can handle (that’s what she said!) of your jokes. Gotta learn not to drink coffee and read your blog at the same time! ;D
You and Tony are still in my prayers!!! Stay strong, Biz! And make sure to keep busy in that waiting room! *BIG HUGS*
I could seriously make a meal out of those scallops. They look freakin amazing!
(wiping off drool) to wish you and Tony a very Happy Valentine’s day! So glad you had such a great dinner together!
You will never go wrong with scallops and crispy, crunchy topping. Delicious!
OMG… such stress. Continued good thoughts going your way (and if it’s not politically incorrect anymore, I continue to add tony to my Rosary each week).
Pan searing those steaks is perfect. Love the idea of the butter at the end…. You did a fabulous job on the doneness. I have just gotten used to using a meat thermometer instead of time, but if I could get that quality everytime, I would toss it.
You are a winner!
Be romantic, have a great valentines Day
Dave
Good luck to Tony tomorrow. Oh how I hate that bureaucratic crap that you went through yesterday for the lab work! How annoying! At least it’s a distraction from the other stuff that’s going on, or an added stress, depending on your point of view… Oh, and the Valentine’s Day menu looked great!
I think I died and went to Heaven just looking at those scallops.
Why did you vow to never eat out on vday again?
That’s why we prefer to stay home for Valentine’s dinner too – even our favorite restaurants seem to go to prix fixe menus and no matter what the price I always feel it’s overpriced! Glad your home cooked from the heart dinner was so good – what a great memory to have!
Good luck tomorrow Biz. You are all in my prayers. Soon this shall pass and life will go on and things will look bright and cheery.
You meals look awesome. I love that you share how you fix things. Thank you!!
I think I too would of died at over $200.00 to eat.
Take care and keep us posted when you can on what’s up. Have a blessed day.
I’m drooling. Seriously. On my work desk at 9:12am. Beautiful.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours! 🙂
Oh my, what a perfect Valentine’s dinner! Everything looks amazing, I’ll have to make that scallop gratin soon, I’m sure both Ray and I would love it.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I have a giant bag of bay scallops in my freezer! Perfect!!!! Thanks for the recipe girl! =)
Happy V-Day to you and Tony! <3
I almost spewed coffee out of my nose and mouth at your “that’s what she said” jokes! LOL!!! Good luck today and tomorrow and Happy Valentine’s Day!