Valentine's Day Cuisine

By Staff

Monday, June 1, 2009, 16:33

Valentine's Day, of course, is a time of romance, red roses, heart-shaped chocolate boxes, candle-lit dinners and much more. Lots of people pin their Valentine"s Day hopes on a restaurant dinner. But being surrounded by other smoochy couples and attentive waiting staff it isn't a romantic atmosphere. So instead, consider staying in with your valentine and cooking them a special meal. Valentine's Day celebrations include exchange of Valentine flowers, Valentine cards, Valentine gifts and of course the joyous moments spent over special Valentine's Day cuisine.

Preparing dishes that fits the theme and atmosphere of Valentine's Day with your sweet heart would be the sweetest thing you can do on valentines day. Stick to food that you're sure you and your partner will love, and go for simple dishes that rely on top-quality ingredients, well cooked. Give yourself a chance at romance by keeping the food simple and tasty.

Plan early the dishes and side dishes you need to cook on Valentine's Day. Back away from the dish that requires several ingredients. Here are few of the best loved Valentine's Day recipes.

1. The vegetarian love-in

Ingredients: 8 heads of purple sprouting broccoli, 2 sheets of filo pastry, each cut into 4 squares
55g/2oz unsalted butter, melted
For the dressing: 1 tsp white wine vinegar, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 1 egg yolk, large sprig of fresh basil, 2 tbsp olive oil, ' carrot, peeled

Method:
Bring a pan of water to the boil. Blanche the broccoli heads in the water for 6-8 minutes, or until just tender and drain well. Brush the filo pastry squares with the melted butter and wrap the broccoli florets in the pastry, to form a cone shape, so that the top of the floret sticks out. Bake in the oven for 3-4 minutes or until crisp and golden. To make the dressing, place the vinegar, mustard, egg yolk, basil and olive oil into a mini food processor and blend until smooth. Shave the carrot using a vegetable peeler to form ribbons. Serve the broccoli parcels with the carrot ribbons and basil dressing.

2. A menu for the heart

As an alternative to chocolates, we have a menu that ticks all of the heart-shaped boxes for health without losing any of the taste or fun. It's simple to make, healthy and beautiful food to share and enjoy.

Ingredients: 2 comice pears, watercress, Stilton cheese, walnut halves, ' French stick, chopped parsley, ' lemon
For the dressing: 1' tbsp walnut oil, 1' tbsp olive oil, 'tsp mustard, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
pinch of sugar, salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:
First heat a non-stick griddle pan until very hot. Cut the pear in half and remove the core. Brush the pear flesh with lemon juice. When the pan is hot place the pear on to the griddle pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn over and cook the other side. When the pear is cooked and nicely marked remove from the pan. Slice the bread into long strips and place on to an oven tray. Drizzle with a little olive oil, season with salt. Bake for 5 minutes until crisp and dry but not too brown. Place the watercress on the serving plate and dot the pears around. Break the cheese into pieces and place over the top.

3. Romantic Italian

Ingredients: 12 fresh king prawns, heads and shells removed, 2 heads of chicory, 1 medium hot chilli, finely sliced, 3 tbsp Italian olive oil, 5 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 2 shallots, finely chopped
salt, freshly ground black pepper
For the dressing: handful of flat leaf parsley, 2 tbsp pine nuts, 4-5 tbsp Italian extra virgin olive oil
salt, freshly ground black pepper

Method:
Cut the chicory in half, brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill on a pre-heated griddle pan for about three minutes on each side. In a large frying pan, shallow fry the onion in the olive oil until golden. Add the chilli and the balsamic vinegar and immediately add the prawns. Season and cook for about four minutes.