Minimalist Valentine's Day

For our first married Valentine's Day, there were no gifts, no candies, no cards and no flowers*.  We skipped all of that, albeit purely by accident.  However, we did do something fun and less traditional.

We took two classes together that week.  The first class was a couple's yoga workshop taught at my usual yoga studio.  Sure, it sounds awkward like in Couple's Retreat but it was actually quite fun.  Both of us do yoga regularly (yeah, we're those people) and having a partner is actually quite helpful for deepening stretches.

The second was a cooking class offered at a gym we attend pretty regularly in Uptown Charlotte.  We watched, helped and tasted the results.  We also got the recipes to take home.  I can assure you we'll be making use of them...

*(I did get a bouquet of flowers from my dad, who always sends his daughters flowers on Valentine's Day)

Sesame Steak Salad with Arugula and Orange Supremes

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb Skirt Steak
1 Tbs canola oil
1 Tbs garlic
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
2 Tbs sesame seeds
1 lb arugula
3 navel oranges, supremes and juice (for dressing)

Dressing

2 Tbs low sodium soy sauce
2 Tbs honey
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 Tbs fresh orange juice
2 Tbs sesame seeds
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 cup olive oil

1. Preheat a large saute pan over medium heat with canola oil.  Add garlic, crushed red pepper, ginger and sesame seeds and cook, stirring frequently, until toasted and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.  Transfer to a small bowl.
2. Increase heat to medium-high and add steak.  Sear steak for about 4 minutes on each side for medium rare, about 6 minutes on each side for medium well.  Transfer to a platter and spread with garlic-sesame seed mixture.  Cover and let rest before slicing.
3. For dressing:  combine all ingredients except sesame oil and olive oil.  Once mixed, whisk in oil until combined.
4. Pour dressing over arugula and mix, top with sliced steak, oranges and extra sesame seeds.

Flourless Chocolate Cake in a Mason Jar with Strawberry Coulis

Strawberry Coulis

Ingredients

5 1/2 cups strawberries
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water

1. If using frozen strawberries, let thaw.  Once thawed, place berries, sugar, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Once sugar is dissolved, turn off heat and transfer to a blender.  Add a splash of lemon juice, if desired.
2. Blend until smooth.  You may pass it through a mesh strainer for a smoother texture.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

4 oz dark or bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup cocoa powder
powdered sugar (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Sprazy 6 small mason jars with cooking spray.  Over a double broiler, melt chocolate and butter together.
2. Pour warm chocolate mixture into a medium mixing bowl with sugar.  Whisk to combine.  Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.  Sift cocoa powder into the bowl and whisk until well combined.
3. Pour in prepared mason jars 1/3 of the way full.  Place jars on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
4. Allow cake to cool in jars for 5 minutes.  Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.  Pour strawberry sauce on top.