Dinner Ideas for Two

Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner for you and your partner, or you are in desperate search for a recipe that states ingredients for two rather than for families, we are sure that these recipes will satisfy your appetite.

Crockpot Mushroom and Steak Dinner for Two >

If you don’t already have a crockpot at home, it is definitely worth investing in one. Try checking out Amazon's crockpot selection if you don't have one. There are hundreds of crockpot recipes on the market and they are all ideal for busy moms and dads who can leave ingredients to cook all day long as they get on with their busy days.

Ingredients

• 1 large steak (cut into strips)
• 1/4 large onion
• 1 can of sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup shiitake mushrooms
• 1/4 cup of chopped chives
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup of beef broth
• 1/4 cup of white wine
• 1/4 cup of flour
• Cooked rice and parsley sprig to serve

Method

Place steak, onion, mushrooms and chives in bottom the of crockpot. Add pepper, garlic, Worcestershire, broth and wine. Cover and cook on low for 5 – 6 hours. Approximately one-half hour prior to serving, thoroughly mix in flour. Serve over rice and top with parsley sprig.

Oven-Fried Beef Taquitos for Two >

Feeling a little spicy? If you are screaming out "yes," then this is the recipe for you! You can make a smaller portion for a starter, or a full portion to be served with rice and salad for a main meal.

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium zucchini
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 8 ounces extra-lean ground beef
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 6-inch corn tortillas
• Canola oil cooking spray
• 6 tablespoons shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Method

• 1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
• 2. Shred zucchini using the large holes of a box grater. Squeeze dry in a clean kitchen towel (you should have about 1 cup).
• 3. Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, beef, chili powder, onion powder, cumin and salt. Cook, stirring until beef is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
• 4. Spread tortillas out on a large baking sheet in two overlapping rows. Bake until hot, 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover.
• 5. Coat the baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the tortillas on a clean cutting board. Working quickly, spread a generous 1/4 cup beef mixture along the bottom third of a tortilla, sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon cheese and tightly roll into a cigar shape. Place the taquito seam-side down on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, filling and cheese. Generously coat the top and sides of the taquitos with cooking spray.
• 6. Bake the taquitos until browned and crispy, 14 to 18 minutes.

Easy Baked Chicken and Potato Dinner for Two >

If you are looking for an easy chicken recipe for a quick midweek dinner, try this tasty dish that is just big enough for two.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1/2 pound)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup Bisquick Heart Smart® mix or Original Bisquick™ mix
• 3/4-pound small red potato, cut into fourths
• 1 small red or green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 small onion, cut into 8 wedges
• Cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, if desired
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Method

1. Heat oven to 400ºF. Spray baking dish, 13x9x2 inches, with cooking spray.
2. Brush chicken with 1 tablespoon of the mustard, then coat with Bisquick mix. Place chicken breast half in each corner of pan.
3. Place potatoes, bell pepper and onion in center of the pan; brush vegetables with remaining mustard. Spray chicken and vegetables with cooking spray; sprinkle evenly with cheese and paprika.
4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, stirring vegetables after 20 minutes until potatoes are tender and juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.

Quick Tikka Masala for Two >

If you are thinking of ordering a takeout from your favorite Indian restaurant, put down the phone and think again. This quick and easy masala recipe will have your taste buds tingling and you will definitely feel like you have just stepped into an authentic Indian restaurant.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons garam masala (see Note)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces chicken tenders
• 2 teaspoons canola oil, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tablespoons whipping cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Method

1. Stir together garam masala, salt and turmeric in a small dish. Place flour in a shallow dish. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon of the spice mixture and dredge in the flour. (Reserve the remaining spice mix and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the remaining flour.)
2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
3. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in the pan over medium-low heat. Add garlic, onion and ginger and cook, stirring often, until starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the reserved spice mix and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Sprinkle with the reserved 1 1/2 teaspoons flour and stir until coated. Add tomatoes and their juice. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring often until thickened and the onion is tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Stir in cream. Add the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat until the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.

Stuffed Rack of Lamb for Two >

If you fancy something a little, well, fancy, for a romantic evening for two, look no further than this succulent lamb recipe. The flavors that come out of this dish will hit all the right spots and you are sure to have a lovely, relaxing evening with that special person in your life.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 1/2 lemon
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped rosemary leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

For the Stuffing:

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
• 1 rack of lamb (about 8 chops)

Method

1. To make the Marinade: Zest the lemon with a fine grater, taking care to only remove the yellow peel—the white pith beneath it is bitter. Use the lemon juice for cocktails, or splash a bit into the marinade if you really love citrus. Mix all the marinade ingredients together.
2. To make the Stuffing: Mix the stuffing ingredients together.
3. To prepare the Lamb: Cut the rack in 1/2 crosswise so that each piece contains 4 chops. Insert a long, skinny knife into 1 end of the meat and push it through until the tip emerges from the other end. Then, remove the knife and use the handle of a wooden spoon to ream out a 1/2-inch hole, forming a tube through the 4 chops. With your fingers, press half the stuffing into the rack, making sure it's distributed evenly. Repeat with the other half of lamb.
4. Place the lamb in a zipper baggie, spoon the marinade onto the meat, and rub it in a little bit. Marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4 hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
6. Roast the chops for 25 minutes for medium-rare, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 135 degrees F. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes (during which it continues cooking, and the juices run back to the center). Slice into individual chops, if you like, fan across the plate, garnish with a rosemary sprig, and serve.

With these dinner recipes for two, you no longer have to eat leftovers for lunch three days in a row, and, who knows, you may just woo your partner with a dish or two.