An elegant dinner for two doesn’t have to require hours and hours of prep time. From spicy lobster fra diavolo to sweet and sour pork chops, these 17 recipes—all easy to scale down for two people—strike a balance between easy and impressive.
Maiale in Agrodolce (Sweet and Sour Glazed Pork Chops)
Mustard and White Wine Braised Chicken
Halibut with Marinated Chanterelles and Chamomile
Toast with Roasted Beet Dip, Smoked Salmon, and Watercress
Mussels in White Wine
Parsley and Pancetta Salad
Tagliatelle with Poppy Seeds and Prosciutto
Warm Salad with Jerusalem Artichokes, Bacon, and Radicchio
Trout with Brown Butter and Almonds (Trout Meunière Amandine)
Warm Soft Chocolate Cake
Japanese-style Linguine with Clams
Pan-Fried Steaks with Mustard Cream Sauce (Paves du Mail)