Algirdas Janilionis of Kaunas, Lithuania, is a chef in New York City, New York. Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest nights of the year for a chef like Algirdas Janilionis of Kaunas. Reservations are booked well in advance, and many men are left on the outside looking for a restaurant that will impress their significant other. However, Algirdas Janilionis believes men who want to impress the woman in their life should attempt to plan a special dinner at home. With the holiday falling on a Tuesday this year, Algirdas Janilionis will share some cooking ideas below that can be made by even the most inexperienced chefs.
French Pepper Steak
Algirdas Janilionis of Kaunas recommends choosing recipes that seem fancy but aren’t all that difficult to put together. This is undoubtedly the case with French Pepper Steak. This dish starts with applying plenty of salt and pepper to a New York Strip Steak. Because you will be preparing this in February, the grill probably isn’t the best option. Instead of fighting the elements, heat vegetable oil and a tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over some heat on the stovetop. Once the butter and oil are lightly smoking, throw the steak in the pan. It typically takes a New York Strip four minutes on either side to be cooked medium rare. Algirdas Janilionis recommends checking with your dinner guest to see how they like their steak prepared. Once the steak is cooked, leave it on a serving dish to rest.
It is now time to make your sauce in the same pan. To create the sauce, start with about half a cup of brandy, which can be whisked for about a minute, before adding a cup of cream. Again, whisk the cream with the brandy until it combines, and add just a tablespoon of Dijon mustard. It should take about five minutes for this sauce to reduce and thicken. Once the sauce has been reduced, it’s as simple as lowering the heat and pouring it over the steak for a fabulous dinner.
Roasted Cauliflower with a Pistachio Cream Sauce
Algirdas Janilionis always reminds those who ask him for recipes to cook for their significant other to ensure that the dish they prepare matches the tastes of the one they love. It’s not nearly as romantic when the dish being prepared doesn’t consider the dietary needs of your loved one. For instance, many have turned to a vegetarian lifestyle. Wowing a loved one with a vegetarian dish is a great way to show precisely how much you care about them.
Buy some no-shell pistachios, and most of the hard work is complete. Use a food processor to grind the pistachios down and then throw them in the skillet to help bring out their flavor and enhance the crunchiness. To make sure the pistachios stick to the cauliflower, mix them with two teaspoons of olive oil. To prepare the cauliflower florets, bring 8 cups of vegetable broth and 8 cups of water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add a lemon and submerge the cauliflower in the boiling water for 12 minutes. After the water is drained, the cauliflower should be placed on a roasting pan. This is when the cauliflower can be covered completely with the pistachio crumbs you previously created. The cauliflower can then be placed in the oven for 20-25 minutes. While it is cooking in the oven, Algirdas Janilionis recommends preparing the sauce. This sauce is easy as it requires pistachios, water, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Utilize the food mixer again to keep things simple. Once everything is blended, the sauce can be added on top or kept on the side for your date to add as little or as much as they want.
