Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is everywhere. If you’re single, the last thing you want is a reminder in red and pink, emblazoned over every shop on the high street. It’s enough to send you to the fridge for a spot of comfort eating. Even when you’re happily coupled up, V Day can be a bit underwhelming. Chocolates and flowers are nice, but they’re a bit generic. Not to mention the restaurants that are always booked up months in advance by couples more organised than you - even if you can get a table, there’s always an extra feeling of pressure to have the absolutely most perfect romantic time ever, when secretly all you want is to be at home in your PJs.
Shakespeare said music was the food of love but we think it’s, well, food. So this year, forget the cliched date night and hit the kitchen to show your love - for your partner, your friends, or just yourself.
Eat your heart out
Vegetarians, look away now. If you’re an experimental eater, what could be more romantic than eating an actual heart?
Don’t worry, we’re not talking the Evil Queen eating Snow White’s heart - but a braised lamb’s heart stuffed with mushrooms, onion, sausage meat, garlic and black pepper might set the stage for your very own fairytale. If you’re feeling slightly less adventurous, try our Lamb Lover’s Feast. Featuring lamb samosas, lamb kebabs and a sumptuous smoked aubergine puree, it’s sure to set heart’s racing.,Couple’s Cooking
We’ll be honest - this can go one of two ways. Either you’ll turn into a couple from a romantic comedy, flirting and having food fights, or you’ll end up crying over collapsed chocolate cake.
Whether you’re trying a complicated new recipe or one of your old favourites - like this Chocolate Fondant with Vanilla Ice Cream, collaborating in the kitchen is one way to spend some serious quality time together. And if it all goes wrong…at least you’ll be able to get some great social media content out of it. Forget the romance, Valentine’s Day was made for Instagram vs Reality viral posts.
Galentine’s Day
Made famous by Leslie Knope in cult US sitcom Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day takes place the day before the big V and celebrates female friendship in all its kickass forms. Throw a brunch for your and your favourite gal pals with cocktails, French toast, fancy omelettes - whatever takes your fancy.
Or break out the pizza tray and host a make-your-own pizza party. Make a large batch of dough and sauces the night before, get everyone to bring their own toppings and get messy. Then (and this is the best part) you can eat your creations while watching your favourite chick flick with your besties. Result.,Amour-ish Aphrodisiacs
Oysters, asparagus and, um, celery. From old wive’s tales to science fact, food has been associated with our more carnal appetites ever since the first caveman whipped up a barbecued buffalo to impress his sweetheart. And what better excuse to test the theory?
We all know the rumours about oysters, but while they sound fiddly they actually take very little preparation. All you need is a sturdy knife, something to steam them in and wait for temperatures to start rising… If you want to skip the seafood, sprinkle on some pomegranate seeds into your food - said to have convinced Persephone to stay in the Underworld with Hades for seven months of the year, they add a tangy and juicy flavour to savoury and sweet dishes.
Heart Shaped Treats
Biscuits. Pancakes. Waffles. If it can be baked, it can be made heart-shaped. Who cares if it’s basic - this is Valentine’s Day.
There’s no time for subtlety, you’ve got some smooching to do. No matter what you’re whipping up in the kitchen this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to tag us in your creations at @yourprestigekitchen