Valentines Day Meal

Valentines Day is a day you either love or hate. For the smug few that are very into it then it's great – showered with flowers and gifts it's your day to be ridiculously over-affectionate without being glared at (too much). For others it's a day where you are just reminded that yes you are single and no you don't have someone to be stupidly mushy with and a day to avoid restaurants at all costs. And then there are the rest who are happily in a relationship (or not and just don't care about Valentines Day) but see it really as a day fabricated by Hallmark to pressure you into buying cards, chocolates, extremely over-priced roses and fluffy, pink and red stuffed toys! I tend to fall some-what into the latter category. Yes I admit I would be in the huff if I didn't get a card from my other half, and yes it is lovely to get flowers (only cause it's a rarity in this house!) and I do always get him a card, but that generally is as far as it goes...... until it comes to the meal (of course!).

For me, going to a restaurant on Valentines Day is my idea of a complete nightmare. Instead I see it as the perfect excuse for us to have an evening together where we make some effort, cook a nice meal that we are both going to enjoy, crack open a bottle or two of wine and sit at the table with some candles, music of our choice and just relax..... bliss!

This menu is for those of you that would rather stay in and have a nice meal at home for a lovely Valentines Day. That being said this is the meal I made for Mr. Vanilla the first time I was really trying to impress him! It obviously worked and since then it has become a bit of a 'special occasion' meal so enjoy it on Valentines Day or any other day you want to impress!

Valentines Day Menu

There are meals that you want to enjoy together as a couple that are tasty and delicious but still quick, easy and non-stressful. Then there are times when you really want to push the boat out and make that extra effort which means spending a bit more time in the kitchen. This is one of those meals – you have been warned! However with every bite you take you will realise it's worth it. That being said, there is quite a lot you can do in advance to make it easier at the end and I recommend doing this unless you are happy to be in the kitchen, cooking together!

*All of these recipes were originally intended to serve 4 however since it's Valentines Day I thought I should half the quantities (with the exception of the dessert). That means that if you would rather serve this meal for 4, everything is very easily (and successfully) doubled.

I've separated each recipe onto it's own post so that this isn't the longest post ever!

Wild Hibiscus Royale

Mushroom Bruschetta with Aioli

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Pan-fried duck breast with red wine sauce;

Garlic mashed potatoes; Caramelized shallots & Asparagus

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White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Rose Syrup