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I’ve got the perfect easy Valentine’s Day dinner for you all! And I kept the recipes fun and easy with a simple, delicious Creamy Brown Butter Mushroom Chicken and a decadent Molten Chocolate Lava Cake. These are the perfect recipes, for celebrating a low-key Valentine’s Day, yet still keeping things special. Whether you’re celebrating with someone you love or gathering with your family, everyone will enjoy this delicious meal.
Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that can often be overlooked. I love creating simple dinner menus for you guys so that everyone is encouraged to celebrate. My grandma always made an effort to make Valentine’s Day fun and I’ve tried to follow in her footsteps.
Today I’m excited to share a very simple, yet oh so delicious, Valentine’s Day menu. I partnered with our ever so popular local brewery, Breckenridge Brewery. We love visiting Breck Brewery when the family is in town. It’s always such a fun environment and their selection of beer is on point.
I used their Vanilla Porter to create two recipes with Valentine’s Day in mind. Using a craft beer with unique flavors like the vanilla porter can take a recipe to a whole new level. I often use Breck Beers to add that extra special touch to recipes like my 5 ingredient beer bread and my healthier 30 minute beer braised chicken.
First up, a creamy brown butter mushroom chicken. I used Breck Brews vanilla porter in the cream sauce to add a richness that I love when paired with buttery mushrooms. Serve this over fettuccine pasta to complete an easy one-skillet dinner.
And finally, Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without dessert! And you guys…these lava cakes are roll your eyes back delicious. The vanilla porter really highlights the sweet chocolate within the cakes. Be sure to serve these warm, right out of the oven, with whipped cream on top! I promise this will not disappoint!
Hoping this simple menu inspires you all to celebrate a low-key, yet still special, Valentine’s Day at home this year!
Lastly, if you make any of the recipes from the perfect easy Valentine’s Day dinner, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Vanilla Porter Molten Chocolate Cakes with Mascarpone Whipped Cream
Ingredients
- softened butter, for greasing
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter
- 1/2 cup Breckenridge Brewery Vanilla Porter
- 6 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 squares semi-sweet or milk chocolate
- cocoa powder and or chocolate shavings, for serving
- whipped cream or ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375° F with a rack in the center. Grease four (8 ounce) ramekins with butter.2. In a small saucepan, melt the dark chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring often, until well combined and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the beer. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 whole eggs, 3 egg yolks, the sugar, and flour until combined. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins. Stick 1 square of chocolate into the center of each ramekin and gently push it into the batter.4. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the sides of the cake are set, but the center is still slightly loose. Let the cakes cool in the ramekins for 1 minute, then run a thin knife around the sides and invert them onto plates. Remove the ramekins. Dollop each cake with a spoonful of whipped cream and then dust with cocoa powder. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Creamy Brown Butter Mushroom Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken cutlets or 2 boneless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cups shiitake or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped or grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves , (or 2 teaspoons dried thyme)
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup Breckenridge Brewery Vanilla Porter
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
Instructions
- 1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the flour and garlic powder in a shallow bowl and dredge the chicken through the flour mix, pressing to adhere.2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden, about 3-5 minutes per side. Add 1 tablespoon butter and allow the butter to brown around the chicken, about 2 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet.3. To the skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the mushrooms. Cook undisturbed for 5 minutes or until golden. Add 3 tablespoons butter, the shallots, garlic, thyme, and a pinch each of salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 4-5 minutes, until fragrant. Spoon half the mushrooms out of the skillet and onto the plate with the chicken.4. Pour in the beer and broth. Cook 10-15 minutes until reduced slightly, then pour in the cream. Add the chicken to the skillet and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until warmed through and thickened slightly. Spoon the reserved mushrooms over the chicken.5. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Serve the chicken and sauce over bowls of pasta. Top with fresh thyme or parsley.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Can you substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk/cream? Thanks! Love your recipes!
Hey Sara,
Yes that will work well. I hope you love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Does the lava cake recipe use the extra 3 egg whites, or do just use those for something else?
Hey Deb,
You can save and use those for something else. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Have you got a suggestion for a gluten free version of the lava cakes? Almond flour or just a GF substitute perhaps?
Hey Kelly,
I would just use an equal amount of GF flour. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Can you sub veal for chicken?
Hey Carrie,
I’ve never tested this recipe with veal, but I bet it would work well. I hope you love the recipe! Let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Would this recipe work in muffin tins? Wishing I had ramekins 🙁
Hey Alex,
You could bake them as cupcakes. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
A few weeks after our family’s move to Colorado in 2001 we spent a week in Breck. Breckenridge Brewery’s brownie Sunday is seared into my mind (and tastebuds), a total nostalgic food moment. <3
Hey Stephanie,
Love this story! Hope you love the recipes:) xTieghan
Can you use something other than beer?
Hey Dee,
You can use water or coffee in place of the beer. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi!! Do you think coffee would be a good substitute for the beer? Just trying to make it GF. Thanks in advance! Looks yummm. Xx
Hey Brianne,
Yes, coffee or water will work great in place of the beer. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
What substitute do you recommend for the vanilla beer in the cake?
Hey Sam,
You can use water or coffee in place of the beer. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Recipe for the mascarpone whipped cream?
Hey Aftan,
Here you go:
1/2 cup (4 ounces) mascarpone or cream cheese, at room temperate
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1-2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Is there a recipe for a mascarpone whipped cream to serve with the vanilla porter molten chocolate cakes?
Hey Carrie,
You can follow this:
1/2 cup (4 ounces) mascarpone or cream cheese, at room temperate
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1-2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! What’s a good substitute for the alcohol (chicken dish)?
Hey Nina,
You could use chicken broth in place of the alcohol. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi,
Where do you use the beer in the lava cakes? Sorry if I missed that.
Hey Rani,
The beer is added at the end of step 2. I hope you love the recipe! Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Does the alcohol cook out of the dishes? Or is there still alcohol left? Just checking since I’m pregnant. Thank you!
Hey Lauren,
Yes, but you can always use a substitute in place of the alcohol! xTieghan
Is there a replacement for Breckenridge Brewery Vanilla Porter?
Hey Susan,
Another vanilla beer that you enjoy will work! I hope you love the recipe:) xTieghan