Date Night In
Skip the Reservations - Steak Tartare at Home
To my vegan friends, I love you—but this recipe is not for you. This one’s pretty carnivorous!
When our kids were younger (and let's be honest, so were we), we’d hire a babysitter for a night out. It was our chance to dress up, step away from the sweats, enjoy a nice dinner, sip a cocktail or glass of wine, and savor some adult conversation. But—let's face it—life with little ones can throw curveballs. Inevitably, one kid would get sick, the sitter would cancel last minute, or the chaos would just keep rolling. If you've been there, you get it.
A night out when you're parents of young kids is a gamble, and there’s no celebrating until you’re actually out the door. I mean, it’s a victory just to get through these steps:
Getting dressed and ready (and actually feeling good about it!).
The kids are healthy(ish!).
The sitter has arrived.
And somehow, we made it out the door, unscathed!
After a few failed attempts at those elusive date nights out, we created a new tradition: Date Night In. Now, we still get dressed like we’re heading to a restaurant, cook the kids an early dinner, set them up with popcorn and a movie, and then we get to work on our own meal. We pour a glass of wine, set the mood with some music, and enjoy the evening—like the civilized people we are.
One of our go-to meals for Date Night In has become steak tartare. It feels elevated—just like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant—but it’s easy to pull together. Plus, it doesn’t leave you with a mountain of dishes to clean afterward, so you can spend more time relaxing and enjoying the night. The key? Fresh, high-quality ingredients. Mark usually grabs a fresh steak from Kowalski's Market or Von Hanson's Meats, so we know it's top-tier and super fresh.
We love Alton Brown’s Food Network Steak Tartare recipe, and we follow it pretty closely. We serve it with our local favorite—Old Dutch Ripple Potato Chips and dill pickles.
Why Steak Tartare?
Steak tartare is raw, finely chopped steak seasoned with shallots, sherry vinegar, capers, fresh parsley, mustard, and a raw egg yolk. It's simple, yet complex in flavor and texture—perfect for those who love bold flavors and want to step outside their usual comfort zone, and it’s fun to make together! It sets a relaxed yet intimate vibe for the evening and sparks plenty of conversation.
What You’ll Need:
First things first: Set yourself up for success! Pick up your groceries earlier in the day, get the kids fed, clean up the kitchen, and—important—get dressed like you’re heading to a restaurant.
The Vibe
As a designer, I’m all about creating atmosphere. Date night at home should feel special, just like you’re at a restaurant (minus the extra effort).
Start with a clean kitchen (trust me, it’s important), dim the lights, and play some music. We’re big fans of Michael Kiwanuka. Light a candle or two, put a cloth on the table, and pour yourselves a beverage. Mark makes an incredible Old Fashioned (I’ll share that recipe another time), but when we’re making tartare, we open a bottle of wine. A few years ago, we visited Napa Valley and Sonoma County with friends, and Artesa Winery was one of our favorites. Their Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with this dish.
The Food
Steak tartare is rich and decadent, so we usually keep it simple. Sometimes we’ll have a bit of charcuterie to nibble on while we cook, but the tartare is really the star of the show. We rarely feel like we need dessert afterward!
Ingredients:
Top-quality beef: Choose a lean cut like tenderloin or sirloin. The freshness and quality of the meat are essential since it’s served raw. Be sure to get it from a trusted butcher (like Kowalski’s or Von Hanson’s).
Egg yolk: Fresh and organic is best.
Seasonings: Classic ingredients like Dijon mustard, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and/or Tabasco add depth. Freshly chopped shallots, capers, and cornichons bring a tangy crunch.
Fresh herbs: Parsley or chives add color and brightness.
Accompaniments: We love our Ripple Chips, but toasted baguette or crusty bread works great too.
Preparation
Chill the meat: Place your beef in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to firm it up—this makes it easier to slice and dice. Then, finely chop it by hand or pulse it gently in a food processor (but don’t overdo it!).
Prepare the condiments: Finely chop the shallots, cornichons, and capers, and combine them in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolk, mustard, and sherry, then drizzle in olive oil until the dressing emulsifies. Add Worcestershire sauce, a dash of hot sauce (if desired), and the chopped ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Mix: Gently combine the beef with the condiments, being careful not to overwork the meat. It should be delicate and smooth, not mashed.
Assemble: Divide the mixture between two plates, shaping it into neat mounds. Top each mound with fresh herbs for color and flavor. Serve with your chips or baguette.
Enjoy!
That’s it—easy, elegant, and absolutely delicious. We hope you love this Date Night In as much as we do. Let us know what you think of the recipe and how your night goes!
