Want to do something special for your bestie this Valentine's Day, or any other day of the year, that won't take much effort but creates a great meal?

Salmon fillets with cream sauce is a good idea. Take it a step further with Scott Leysath's special touches to make the special night even more memorable. Leysath has a great site, The Sporting Chef, that's filled with a wide variety of recipes for fish, fowl and other game large and small.

Don't be scared to try the cream sauce, either. It's not difficult. Be sure to use heavy cream, as Leysath recommends. The fat in the cream helps with the flavors, along with just being darn good.

Light the candles and send the kids off to a friend's house. Eat dinner, enjoy some music, and have a nice evening.

Poached Salmon with Champagne Cream Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 6- to 8-ounce salmon fillets, each cut into the shape of a heart
• salt and white pepper
• 2 cups dry champagne
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 shallot, minced (or substitute the white part of 2 green onions)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons chilled butter

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, combine Champagne, water, lemon juice and shallot. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes. With a spatula, carefully place salmon fillets into skillet. If necessary, add enough additional champagne so that liquid just rises to the top edge of the fish, but does not cover it. Cover with a lid or foil and simmer for 10 minutes or until fish is firm, but not overcooked.

Carefully pour 1/2 cup of liquid from skillet into a saucepan and add cream. Bring to a boil and reduce liquid to about 1/3 cup. Whisk in chilled butter until melted.

To serve, place salmon on vegetables, rice or pasta and spoon sauce around fish. Go put on your smoking jacket, put on some jazz and turn the lights down low.

Want more recipes?

Leysath has a fantastic cookbook, Better Venison Recipes, that's filled with information to create great venison recipes. It has 100 of his favorites, from stews to roasts, along with tips for prep. Check it out here on Amazon to order.