Valentine’s Day (February 14) is traditionally the day when lovers send each other anonymous notes declaring their love and when lovers prepare romantic dinners for each other.
The feast day itself was established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I to celebrate the martyrdom of one of the first two Christians buried on the Via Flaminia north of Rome. In fact, it was only in the Middle Ages, through the words of Chaucer and his contemporaries, that Valentine’s Day became Valentine’s Day.
Regardless of the story, the day is now a great occasion for lovers and the recipes given below will hopefully get the day off to a good pace. Here are recipes for breakfast, dinner, and a cocktail for lovers:
Banana and ginseng muffins
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of ginseng powder
2 medium plantains (very tender)
2 medium eggs
100g of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
210 g of common flour
1 tablespoon of oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Method:
Mash the bananas in a bowl, then mix with the sugar and oil until well blended. Meanwhile, mix all the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl, then mix this flour mixture into the banana mixture and combine well.
Line muffin tins with baking cups, then fill well no more than 2/3 full with muffin mix. Transfer to a preheated oven at 175ºC and bake for about 15 minutes, or until well raised, golden brown on top and cooked through. Allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool before heating before serving. (Makes 12 rolls.)
Valentine’s fillets of lamb with a rosemary pesto crust
The Lamb St. Valentine’s Steak is a double boneless butterfly steak of lamb loin cut into very attractive and elegant looking fillets.
Ingredients:
45 g chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
40 g dry breadcrumbs
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 beaten egg
2 Valentine’s fillets of lamb (about 100 g each)
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Method:
Start with the pesto: Combine the parsley, rosemary, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and breadcrumbs in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and set aside.
Meanwhile, brush the lamb fillets on one side with the beaten egg, then spread the rosemary pesto evenly over the egg-coated side of the lamb, applying it generously. Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat and then place the Valentine lamb fillets in the skillet, placing them pesto side down. Cook for about 4 minutes, or until the pesto mixture has lightly browned, then flip the steaks and continue cooking until done to your desired level of doneness (about 4 more minutes for medium). Let sit for 5 minutes before serving with mint new potatoes and green beans or snap peas.
Passion fruit cocktail with champagne
Ingredients:
240ml passion fruit nectar, chilled
1/2 teaspoon Angostura bitters
240ml champagne, chilled
ice cubes
4 fresh raspberries (or two strawberries, halved)
1 orange slice, split in half
Method:
Divide the passion fruit nectar and bitters between two chilled champagne flutes. Top with the champagne, then drop two raspberries into each glass. Garnish with the orange slice and serve.
I hope these recipes have given you an idea of what you can create for your special Valentine’s Day and now you are ready to find out more.
