February 14th is the day for lovers, a time for romantic partners to express their love. What does Valentine’s Day make you think of? Roses perhaps or chocolates or bottles of bubbly? It’s a time of romantic dinners by candlelight with soft music in the background. You could of course book a swanky restaurant or you could be a bit more original and cook dinner for your beloved at home. Guys in particular will score brownie points if they can pull off a romantic, home cooked meal. This is where Valentine’s Day recipes come in.
Key things to remember are to plan well in advance. A rushed job will show. Secondly, keep it simple. You want to be attentive and you can’t do that if you are stuck in the kitchen all evening. We’ve all heard the theories on the supposedly aphrodisiac foods. These claims are hard to prove but they can be presented in the spirit of fun and they won’t do any harm!
One of the most well known claims is for oysters. Chili is also an aphrodisiac, so they say, so why not combine the two as a starter with Ken Hom’s Steamed Fresh Oysters in a chili sauce with ginger, soy sauce, garlic, and spring onions. Make sure not to overcook the oysters as they become rubbery. Garlic and Wine Mussels is a very simple starter involving mussels cooked with garlic, white wine, and butter, garnished with fresh parsley. Other aphrodisiacs include asparagus, honey, and ginger.
There are a number of cocktails designed to set the mood. Passina is a classic champagne cocktail with fizzy orange juice and passion fruit puree. Serve in a champagne flute. Chocolate too is a winner and Chocolate Moon is a delicious mix of gin, brown crème de cacau, amaretto, and double cream with dark chocolate for the garnish.
Sharing at the dinner table is fun. This can be done with platters of your favorite foods or a choice of tapas with seafood. The fondue has come back from its heyday in the 1970s and you can make savory fondue with cheese or dessert fondue, such as chocolate dipped in a white chocolate sauce. Any kind of berries could be used too.
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You could serve a classic dish for a main course with a Valentine twist, such as Chicken in Champagne with Mushroom Sauce. A Valentine’s Day recipe can also be a celebration of what you already like to do together. If eating pizza is your thing, then why not prepare one with all your loved one’s favorite toppings.
Pudding is often the way to someone’s heart. You can’t really go wrong with chocolate pudding or chocolate mousse. Bake some heart shaped cookies or cup cakes. Decorate a plate of cup cakes with pink rose petals. Champagne can also play a part in dessert, as in Champagne Vodka Jellies, an alcoholic take on a childhood favorite. If you want to inspire declarations of eternal love, buy or hire a chocolate fountain. Toasting marshmallows in front of an open fire is another popular gesture.
Dinner is not the only meal to involve Valentine’s Day recipes. Start the day with a serving of breakfast in bed, complete with a single red rose. Heart shaped pancakes with a maple and raspberry sauce will go well with a glass of bucks fizz, toast and coffee.
The above Valentine’s Day recipe ideas can’t guarantee romantic success but they will show that you have taken the trouble to show your devotion. So, choose a menu, get the Carpenters’ CD ready and buy the ingredients. The rest is up to you!
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