Love hearts are everywhere with retailers encouraging us all to spend money on tat to show how much we love our partners. Personally I think it’s far more genuine to make something yourself, even if it doesn’t turn out all that great the effort will be appreciated and you’ll have a funny story to tell in the future. Being a lover of food and knowing that the common saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” to be true, certainly in my husband’s case. And I don’t think I have ever met a man who didn’t like food or a lady who didn’t like cake! So here’s a few yummy valentine dinner recipe ideas I picked out for you to try.
Main Course
Spanish Chorizo Chicken and Chickpea Casserole
This recipe from BBC Food holds special memories for me, my husband wooed me with this dish on our first valentine evening together. It’s packs so much flavour it’s just incredible. Enjoy it with a nice side of veg such as sautéed spinach with quince and toasted sesame seeds. I’d choose a nice full bodied Spanish red to go with this dish, Rioja is my favourite choice. White Rioja is also delicious if you prefer but I think red goes best, as there is red wine in the dish.
Shallotte Chicory Rotolo with Hazelnuts
I’ve not made this dish from Delicious Magazine before but it sounds like a real treat. Might need some time before dessert though! It requires 20 -30 mins in the oven before serving, that gives you the perfect opportunity to prep ahead of time and whack in the oven as your date arrives. There will be left overs as this one is for more than two.
Simple Coconut Quinoa and Lentil Curry with Lime Mango.
This delicious looking curry can be made veggie or vegan and you can make it as hot and spicy or as mild as you like. It’s packed with protein and makes a lovely sharing dish. I’d recommend making up some nice fluffy rice flavoured with a few cloves and cardamoms with a couple of nans on the side. If using store bought nans, splash on a little water with a pastry brush or your fingers to keep it nice a soft when heating them up.
Dessert
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
I really liked the look of these cute love heart cookies with a hint of spice from Martha Stewart. An easy to make chocolate biscuit recipe added with a touch of cinnamon. The hard part is trying not to eat your cookie love hearts while they are cooling! Then simply make a sandwich filled with chocolate cream.
Dark Chocolate Orange Cake
Chocolate and orange are a classic combo and this recipe from Mary Berry featured by Delicious Magazine looks divine. You’ll need two cake tins for this one, it is described as a very easy cake to make despite it looking quite fancy. So get set to impress!
Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Cake
One of my favourite combinations, chocolate anything with raspberries is always a winner for me. Now this cake really does look quite special. It’s a little more labour intensive on the decoration side of things but if you are feeling like pushing the boat out this could be the one for you.
I hope these Valentine dinner recipes give you some inspiration and that maybe you will try one or two of them. If you are making something for the first time it might be worth having a wee practise first to test out the recipe before the special evening. Happy Valentine’s!
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