Valentine's Day Lobster Tail Dinner

Not sure about y'all, but we don't plan to be eating out this year for Valentine's Day.  Better to be safe than sorry so I'm sharing my tips for creating a romantic Valentine's Day lobster dinner right at home.  Because what's better than the comfort of your own home?  Sure you'll have to put in a little work to create the meal, but it'll be a meal well worth it.  Trust me.  

Lobster Tails

-Lobster tails
-Butter
-1 teaspoon of chopped garlic
-Salt +pepper to taste
-Chives
If using frozen lobsters make sure they are completely thawed. Cut through each lobster tail shell starting from the base towards the tail.  Pull out the lobster meat and fold over the shell.  Leave the meat intact as you get closer to the tail.  Rinse the lobster tails well.  In a separate bowl melt together about 2 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle salt, pepper, and chopped garlic.  Brush this mixture over the lobster tails and cook in the oven at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.  The lobster will be firm to touch when done.  Finish the cooked lobsters with more butter mixture and garnish with chopped chives. 

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Potato Au Gratin

-2lbs of red potatoes washed thoroughly and sliced very thinly
-1/2 cup of Swiss/gruyere cheese
-1 cup cheddar cheese
-1 cup sweet onions sliced very thinly 
-Salt and pepper to taste 
-1 cup milk
-3 tablespoons butter
-3 tablespoons of flour
Once the potatoes and onions are peeled, set aside.  In a medium-sized saucepan, heat up the butter until melted.  Whisk in the flour and milk and let cook until bubbly.  Next add in the cheeses, salt +pepper, and stir until completely combined.   Start layering the peeled potatoes and onions in a casserole dish.  Sprinkle salt and pepper as you go to ensure it's well seasoned.  Pour the melted cheese mixture over the potatoes in the casserole dish and set in the oven to bake at 400 degrees covered with foil for 1 hour.  Remove foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes uncovered.  

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Broccolini

-Broccolini
-Salt +pepper to taste
-2 tablespoons olive oil
Sprinkle salt, pepper and drizzle the olive oil over the broccolini stems and use your hands to massage through to all stems.  Align evenly on foil lined baking sheet.  Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes and serve.

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Molten Chocolate Cakes

Molten Lava Cakes
-1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate chips
-1/2 cup flour
-1/4 cup butter
-3 large eggs
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-3/4 cup granulated sugar (you can increase sugar up to 1 and 1/2 cups.  I always lessen the amount of sugar in my recipes). 
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  You will need 6 greased ramekin cups for this recipe.  In a glass bowl, add the butter to the chocolate chips and place in pot of hot water on the stove (medium low heat). Stir continuously until melted.  You can also use a microwave for this, but I prefer the glass bowl over water to prevent burnt chocolate.  Once melted, take off the heat.  Add the sugar and flour to chocolate mixture and stir.  Next, add the eggs and vanilla and stir until smooth.  Pour this mixture into the ramekin cups and place on a baking sheet.  Bake for about 15 minutes.  

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