Pan-seared steaks topped with a healthy dollop of herby shallot butter might be just what your Valentine’s Day dinner needs! 
Thick-cut ribeye or New York strip steaks are perfect here because they are juicy, extra-beefy and luxurious enough for a fancy dinner for two. You can substitute with a less expensive cut like sirloin or flank steak for your everyday needs, unless you’re lucky enough to live in the lap of steak luxury and ribeyes are part of your regular diet.
Pan-searing in a ripping hot cast-iron skillet guarantees that golden-brown crust all over and allows you to make these year-round (no grilling with a foot of snow on the deck for me!). Preheat your skillet in a 500° oven to ensure it’s hot all the way through; preheating on a high stovetop can cause hot spots and uneven browning. Plus it’s a total set-it-and-forget-it situation when you do it in the oven. Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area (or turn off your smoke detector for a few minutes!) because pan-searing in hot cast-iron is sure to cause some smoke. Flipping the steaks every 2 minutes while cooking reduces the unappetizing, well-done gray band around the outer edge of a steak and helps ensure you hit that perfect medium-rare.
The herby shallot butter is so flavorful-if not a little too onion-y for Valentine’s Day, but who cares?! A dollop of butter on a steak never hurt anybody, especially when it’s flavored with shallots, garlic, parsley and chives. Make this butter any time you’re making a steak, whether you’re pan-searing or grilling, and you’ll be a happy eater!
Serve this with any side that tickles your fancy (that cheesy broccoli potato is coming at a later date) and enjoy your romantic night. But seriously, don’t save this just for Valentine’s Day…make it all year-round!
[tasty-recipe id=”34876″]
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