|
If you haven't found that elusive perfect present that will surprise, delight and show your partner just how much you love them then it's time to don your apron and get the recipe books out. What could show more effort and love than a home-made meal prepared and cooked for your prise d'amour? A home cooked meal can lead to a wonderful night in. Of course, these aren't available exclusively for Valentine's Day and you can always put your new skills to use throughout the years ahead. Avoiding the tempting ready-made meal options is also healthier for you. For those interested in taking up this Valentine's Challenge, here is what you need to know: Approach 1. Avoid the supermarket aisles and order online instead. Order extras in case you accidentally glug all of the red wine required for the beef bourguignon. If you really want to impress, order your ingredients from an online grocers who delivery a fresh veg box (and more) to your door. It may even come in a wooden distressed crate, adding to your rustic charm offensive. Stuff said box with scented candles on the kitchen table and hey-presto, you even have a table centrepiece. 2. Don't over complicate matters. If you're not confident in the kitchen, aim for simple. Try to omit any messy foods from the menu: slurping spaghetti Bolognese does make a romantic meal, no matter what you might have seen in Lady and the Tramp. 3. Keep the kitchen tidy as you cook: you're not going to want to wash-up once you've finished. 4. Make the table look attractive. Fresh flowers, candles and a decent tablecloth can do wonders. Have some mood music in the background and create your own personalised playlist to make a special effort. Morning-after brownies recipe To secure your Valentine success, we recommend preparing breakfast too. This not only proves that you're a culinary genius but it also shows you are caring and romantic to boot. If you are spending Valentine's Day with a new partner then you can always give these brownies to your date at the end of the evening, giving them something to take home or having them as a dessert. To make these brownies, follow this simple recipe: - 200g best quality chocolate - 250g butter (unsalted) - 80g cocoa powder - 360g caster sugar - 65g plain flour - 4 large eggs - 1tsp baking powder 1. Preheat oven to 180?C and line a standard square baking tin with greaseproof paper. 2. Mix the cocoa powder, sugar, flour and baking powder in a bowl. Additionally melt the butter and chocolate in a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water until fully melted and smooth. 3. Add this to the mixture of cocoa and flour. 4. Stir and add in the beaten eggs until smooth. 5. Pour into your tin and bake for 25 minutes until springy to touch. 6. Allow to cool in the tray then remove and cut into squares or use a heart-shaped cutter for extra ‘brownie points'. Nigel blogs about food and dining, on everything from fruit baskets to the best steak restaurants in town. When he's not online he enjoys nothing more than cycling round the sights of this favourite towns.
Related Articles -
food, valentines day, dinner, fruit, vegetables,
| 
