Valentines night menu?? Any Help Appreciated??!
p.s i dont mind if its veggie options or meat!
xxx
Answers: Im cooking a meal for my honey and i could do with some inspiration! im thinking a main course then pudding, no need for a starter. thank you!
p.s i dont mind if its veggie options or meat!
xxx
I always keep it on the light side. Remember athletes don’t eat a full course meal before ‘the event’ .. Having a full stomach can ‘DE’mote easy movement, and make you tired.
This year I am having all FINGER FOOD. This way we have an option to feed each other in a more intimate way.
(Kabob Style) meats with pineapples. The salad, roughly torn romaine, arugala (rocket), cherry tomatoes, pine nuts (toasted), 1.? tablespoon lemon juice, 1 ? tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, a little crushed garlic, a pinch of salt, and ground pepper.
A bowl of berries, Strawberries & Raspberries. I will have a side warmer with %70 cocoa/melted chocolate, and a side of whipped cream (homemade.. NOT from a can)
Wine or Champagne
French Pressed coffee with tiny homemade vanilla sugar cookies
Here is a list of some other fun and light foods to use on Valentines Day!.. Have fun!!
Aniseed
A very popular aphrodisiac with many culinary uses. It has been used as an aphrodisiac since the Greeks and the Romans, who believed aniseed had special powers. Sucking on the seeds is said to increases your desire.
Asparagus
Given it's phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. Feed your lover boiled or steamed spears for a sensuous experience..
Almond
A symbol of fertility throughout the ages. The aroma is thought to induce passion in a female. Try serving Marzipan (almond paste) in the shapes of fruits for a special after-dinner treat.
Arugula
or "rocket" seed has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century. This ingredient was added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios. Arugula greens are frequently used in salads and pasta.
Bananas
HELLOoo! Have a high grade dipping chocolate or cream. Just eating a banana is fun (can be sexy to feed your partner.. Healthy too.
Basil
Is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of
Chocolate
The Aztecs referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods". Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two.
Carrots
Another good reason to eat carrots--believed to be a stimulant to the male. The phallus shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction. High vitamins and beta-carotene. Perhaps a justification for a piece of carrot cake?
Coffee
Caffeine is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes a depressant. Serve small amounts of rich dark coffee in special little demitasse cups. Coffee stimulates both the body and the mind so partake of a little in preparation for an "all-nighter".
Cilantro
was also know to be used as an "appetite" stimulant.
Fennel
In the 1930's fennel was found to be a source of natural plant estrogens. Use of fennel as an aphrodisiac dates back to the Egyptian times where it was used as "libido enhancement".
Figs
An open fig is thought to emulate the female sex organs and traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant. A man breaking open a fig and eating it in front of his lover is a powerful erotic act. Serve fresh Black Mission figs in a cool bowl of water as it is done in Italy and be sure to eat with your fingers!
Garlic
The 'heat' in garlic is said to stir sexual desires. Make sure you and your partner share it together.
Ginger
raw, cooked or crystallized is a stimulant to the circulatory system. Perhaps a stir-fry with freshly grated ginger can stir something spicy up in the bedroom later.
Honey
Medieval seducers plied their partners with Mead, a fermented drink made from honey. As for me.. I just keep a dish by the bed (you can drizzle it, then lick it) Yes, it washes out if you get a little crazy.
Licorice
Chewing on bits of licorice root is said to enhance love and lust. It is particularly stimulating to woman.
Mustard
Believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire. Prepare a tenderloin roast (filet mignon) for two with a mustard and peppercorn sauce.
Nutmeg
was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. In quantity nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect.
Oysters
Oysters were documented as a aphrodisiac food by the Romans in the second century A.D.
Pine Nuts
Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts are rich in Zinc. Serve pine nut cookies with a dark espresso for a stimulating dessert.
Pineapple
Rich in vitamin C and is used in the homeopathic treatment for impotence.
Raspberries and Strawberries
Perfect foods for hand feeding your lover. These berries make a light and satisfying desert.
Truffles
The Greeks and the Romans considered the rare Truffle to be an aphrodisiac. The musky scent is said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch.
Vanilla
The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust.
Wine
relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses. Drinking wine can ignite erotic feelings, but not too much.. It will have the reverse effect.
Fondue, dipping of your choice.
Oysters are an aphrodisiac, so I suggest you make some Oysters Valentino.
Ingredients
* 24 blue point Oysters, raw in shells
* 1 large red bell pepper
* 1 lemon
* 6 small Jalapeno peppers
* 1/8-cup lime juice
* 1-cup bread crumbs
* 1-cup olive oil
* 1 cup chopped parsley
* 1 pack of Melba toast
* 1 cup grated Romano cheese
* Rock Salt
How to Make
* Scrub and wash oysters thoroughly.
* Dry with a towel.
* Take an oyster knife and pry open the oysters. Discard the top lid.
* Loosen up membrane of the oyster.
* Place the oysters in a baking tray that has been lined with Rock salt.
* Wash red bell pepper and Jalapeno peppers and wipe dry.
* Rub with a little olive oil and place them on a cookie sheet spread on a tray.
* Increase oven to broil and place tray under the broiler.
* Broil the peppers till the skin breaks. Let it cool down and then peel the skin.
* Next, dice the peppers finely after removing the insides. Use a knife to remove the seeds of the pepper as they are very hot and the essence may remain in your hands.
* Mix well olive oil, lime juice, chopped parsley, peppers, breadcrumbs and grated Romano cheese together.
* Spread equally on top of each oyster. Bake at 450o in an oven for eight to ten minutes or until light brown and serve.
both ideas above are excellent. you could also do something with puff pastry that you can buy in the freezer section of your grocery store. it can be your entree or dessert.
Bacon wrapped grilled filets of beef, baked stuffed potato, sauteed mushrooms and a light tossed salad.
This is a great light chicken recipe...really good flavor and pretty easy.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/...
I've cooked this many times. Serve with fresh asparagus or freshly sauteed spinach. Easy but tasty!
Swiss Chicken
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
6 slices Swiss cheese
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup milk
2 cups herb-seasoned stuffing mix
1/4 cup butter
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Arrange chicken in a greased 12 x 8 x 2 baking dish. Top with Swiss cheese slices.
Combine soup and milk and stir well. Spoon mixture over chicken and sprinkle with stuffing mix. Drizzle butter or margarine over crumbs.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes. Enjoy!
Hiya! :o) How about making a nice chocolate pie for dessert: I can tell how if you like...
You will need:
For the base:
50g (2oz) butter
50g (2oz) sugar
350g (12oz) rolled oats
40g (1.5 oz) plain flour
For the filling:
450g (1lb) of cream cheese
175g (6oz) caster sugar
2 eggs, beaten
100g (4oz) of melted plain chocolate
2 teaspoons coffee powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water
150 ml (quarter of a pint) of soured cream
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
grated chocolate for decoration.
Preheat your oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6
To make the base, cream the butter with the sugar until it is light and fluffy. Stir in the oats and flour. Press the mixture into the base of a lightly greased 23cm (9 inch) loose bottomed cake tin. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. While this is cooking, cream the cheese with the sugar until it is light and fluffy, gradually add the eggs, mixing well. Fold in the chocolate, the dissolved coffee, soured cream and vanilla essence. Pour the mixture over the pie base. Reduce the oven temperature to 160C/325F/Gas Mark 3 and bake for 40 minutes or so or until the pie is firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. When it has cooled, sprinkle the pie with finely grated chocolate or chocolate curls. Serve with some whipped cream and ENJOY xx Hope this helps! :o) x
Pork tenderloin with sage and celeriac dauphinoise
Serves 2
Preparation time less than 30 mins
Cooking time 1 to 2 hours
Ingredients
For the dauphinoise
1 head celeriac (about 400g/14oz), peeled and thinly sliced
butter, for greasing
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp finely chopped sage
100g/3?oz mature cheddar cheese, grated
150ml/5fl oz double cream
50ml/2fl oz full-fat milk
2 garlic cloves, crushed
salt and freshly ground pepper
For the pork
75g/2?oz butter
2 x 200g/7oz pork tenderloins
salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve
fine beans
apple chutney
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. For the dauphinoise, grease an ovenproof dish with butter and place a layer of celeriac slices on the base.
3. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and sprinkle over a pinch of sage and a little cheese. Repeat layers of celeriac, sage and cheese until all the celeriac is used, setting aside a third of the cheese.
4. Combine the cream, milk and garlic and pour over the celeriac.
5. Top with the remaining cheese (and if you have time, allow to sit for 30 minutes for the cream to soak into the celeriac).
6. Bake for an hour or until the vegetables are tender.
7. For the pork, heat the butter in a pan, season the pork with salt and freshly ground black pepper and slice into 2.5cm/1in slices. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and keep warm until you are ready to serve.
8. To serve, cut out a round of the dauphinoise with a biscuit cutter and serve with the pork, fine green beans and apple chutney
Passion fruit meringues
Serves 2
Preparation time less than 30 mins
Cooking time no cooking required
Ingredients
4 shop-bought meringues
For the filling and garnish
4 passion fruits
100ml/3?fl oz well-chilled heavy cream
1? tsp sugar
1 small pomegranate (optional)
Method
1. For the filling, cut three passion fruits in half and scoop out the pulp (including the seeds and juice) into a sieve set over a bowl.
2. Force the pulp through the sieve, pressing hard on the seeds, and discard the seeds.
3. In a bowl, beat the cream until it holds soft peaks and fold in the passion fruit juice and sugar until just combined.
4. To make the garnish, cut the remaining passion fruit in half and scoop out the seeds, reserving them.
5. Cut the pomegranate in half then, bending back the rinds, dislodge some seeds from the membranes.
6. Reserve these and reserve some juice.
7 Arrange a meringue on each of two plates.
8. Top the meringues with whipped cream and garnish with some reserved passion fruit and pomegranate seeds.
9. Top each pudding with one more meringue.
10. These can be made two hours ahead and chilled, loosely covered. Bring them to room temperature before serving.
11. Once ready to eat, garnish each plate with some more passion fruit, some pomegranate seeds and some reserved juice. Serve.
What about faggots chips and peas & gravy .. Yummy xx
for desserts go to a website called joy of baking. they have the most beautiful desserts i made some cupcakes and everybody loved it and couldn't wait ti'll i made another batch.