Easy Valentine Day Recipes

Give your partner a delicious gift this year on February 14, and make one of these lovely and easy Valentine Day recipes.

Being great believers in enjoying life’s little pleasures at any opportunity, we’ve always made Valentine Day into a special occasion.

First thing in the morning we exchange little romantic gifts – a heart-shaped box of chocolates, a bunch of roses. The children used to get involved, too – I can remember my daughter, then aged 2, crying because she wanted a card, so now they always find one, and a small Valentine's Day gift, on the breakfast table.

These days they’d rather take a bowl of spaghetti to eat in front of the TV, while their parents sit down to a special meal and a glass of champagne. It’s a welcome oasis in the usual round of busy day-to-day life. Try one of these easy Valentine Day recipes yourself this year.

EASY VALENTINE DAY RECIPES

• Mussels in White Wine
• Sweet Ginger Prawns
• Stir-fried Beef
• Valentine’s Day Desserts
• Valentine’s Day Chocolate Cake

MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE
Fresh mussels are available right through the winter, and although they’re not expensive, they always seem special. You can buy them ready prepared, or if you don’t mind a labour of love, do it yourself, by scrubbing them thoroughly and removing the tough fibres.

Serves 2 Prepare 750g (1 ½ lb) mussels, discarding any that refuse to close when tapped, or that have cracked shells. Heat ½ tbsp olive oil in a pan, and add half a medium onion, finely chopped, a finely sliced leek and a crushed garlic clove. Cook, stirring for 5 mins. Pour in 300ml (1 ¼ cups) dry white wine, bring to the boil, then throw in the mussels, cover and leave to steam for around 7 minutes, until all the mussels have opened. Remove the mussels with a draining spoon, throw away any that haven’t opened, and pile into warmed bowls. Boil the cooking liquid for a couple of minutes to reduce, stir a handful of chopped parsley, pour over the mussels and serve with a green salad and a warmed wholemeal baguette.

SWEET GINGER PRAWNS
Another easy dish that’s incredibly quick and simple to make and very low in fat, ideal for a healthy Valentine's Day. The tang of the ginger is lightened with a touch of sweetness.

Serves 2 Peel and grate a 2.5cm (1/2 inch) piece of fresh root ginger. Whisk together 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 tbsp rice or white wine vinegar and 1 tsp sugar. Stir in 1 finely shredded spring onion (scallion) and the ginger. Stream 250g (1 ½ cups) raw, peeled tiger prawns until opaque, then stir through the dressing. Serve with steamed, mixed fresh vegetables such as fine green beans, baby corn and carrot batons, and steamed or boiled fine noodles.

STIR-FRIED BEEF
We don’t eat red meat very often, so when we do it’s good to buy the best and tenderest I can afford, and cook it in a light recipe, with lots of flavour.
Serves 2 Cook and drain enough egg noodles for 2. Mix 1 tbsp hoi sin sauce, 1 ½ tbsp oyster sauce and ½ tbsp soy sauce. Heat ½ tbsp oil in a large frying pan or wok and stir fry 1 crushed garlic clove. Add 200g (8 oz) finely sliced sirloin steak and stir-fry for 2 mins. Add 100g (3 ½ oz) sugarsnap peas, ½ red chilli, deseeded and sliced and stir fry for another couple of minutes. Then add the cooked noodles along with 75g (2 oz) beansprouts and the dressing, stir fry for 2 more mins and serve.

Now choose an easy Valentine’s Day dessert, to accompany your main course.
For an easy Valentine’s Day recipe for the whole family to enjoy, try this Valentine Day cake.

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