Make This Tonight Season 2 Episode 8 Date Night: Surf & Turf

Make this Tonight is a cooking show that features Chef John, an experienced and passionate chef who creates delicious and easy-to-make recipes for viewers to follow at home. In season 2 episode 8, titled Date Night: Surf & Turf, Chef John focuses on creating a sophisticated and romantic meal for couples to enjoy at home together.

The episode begins with Chef John introducing the theme of the night, which is surf and turf. He explains that surf and turf refers to a meal that combines meat and seafood, often steak and lobster, but in this episode, he will be featuring shrimp and filet mignon. Chef John encourages viewers to follow along and create this meal for their own date nights, anniversaries, or special occasions.

The first dish Chef John creates is a jumbo shrimp cocktail. He starts by cooking the shrimp in boiling water for just a few minutes until they turn pink, then he drains them and places them in an ice bath to chill. He then creates a traditional cocktail sauce by mixing ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and hot sauce. To add a twist, Chef John also creates a second sauce made with fresh mango, lime juice, red onion, and jalapeno. He serves the two sauces alongside the jumbo shrimp for a delicious and elegant appetizer.

The main course of the night is a surf and turf duo featuring filet mignon and sautéed shrimp. Chef John starts by seasoning the filet mignon with salt and pepper and searing it in a hot pan until it is browned on both sides. He then places the pan in the oven to finish cooking to the desired doneness. While the steak cooks, he prepares the shrimp by sautéing them in garlic and butter until they are pink and cooked through. He then adds some white wine and lemon juice to the pan and reduces the sauce until it is slightly thickened.

To accompany the surf and turf, Chef John prepares a side dish of roasted asparagus. He simply tosses the asparagus in olive oil and seasons them with salt and pepper before roasting them in the oven for about 10 minutes.

Finally, Chef John creates a simple and elegant dessert to finish off the meal. He whips together heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until it forms soft peaks, then spoons it over fresh strawberries and blueberries.

Throughout the episode, Chef John shares helpful tips and tricks for cooking the perfect steak, preparing shrimp, and creating delicious sauces. He also encourages viewers to make this meal their own by adding their own twist, such as using different seasonings or switching out the shrimp for another type of seafood.

Overall, Date Night: Surf & Turf is a romantic and delicious episode of Make this Tonight that will inspire viewers to create an elegant and sophisticated meal at home. With Chef John's guidance, anyone can create a mouth-watering surf and turf duo that is perfect for a special occasion or a romantic dinner for two.