Myself and Daddy Angel generally don't buy each other gifts as our anniversary is so close to Valentines day! However we do always ensure that we sit down for some together time and spend a moment with each other.
We don't spend us much time together as we'd like between work and children so what little time we have we make the most of.
So when I found out that Superbreak.com were running a competition to win an amazing trip to Paris I decided to be organised for a change and pre-plan a meal (I know shock horror right!).
So to start our Valentines evening this year we shall begin by dining on Sweet Chilli Prawns, I love anything with a little spice. And these are so easy to do and can be prepared earlier in the evening meaning I'm spending little time away from the table and my valentine ;)
Ingredients-
18oz shell-on prawns
4 Small garlic cloves
2 bird eyes chillies
2 Spring Onion stalks
1/4 Cup of Thai sweet chilli sauce
tbsp soy sauce
2 drops of sesame oil
Methods -
Mix sweet chilli, soy sauce and sesame oil in a bowl and set aside for later.
Roughly chop your garlic, slice spring onions diagonally and red chillies.
Devein and trim your prawns.
Heat 2tbsps of cooking oil in a wok and add your garlic, chillies and half of the spring onions saute.
Add in the prawns and let cook until slightly charred and turning orange then flip to cook the other side.
When the prawns are almost cooked add the sauce mixture and stir to bring everything together, do this over a low heat to avoid burning the sauce.
Once the sauce thickens and starts to caramelize, switch of the flame and add the remaining spring onions and toss everything together. Serve on a bed of long grain rice.
As it's Valentines I'm going to use my heart shape cookie cutter to shape my bed of rice ;-)
Our main will be a simply yet lip smackingly delicious dish of Herbed lamb chops accompanied by a mustard mash potato.
Ingredients -
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup mined onion
1/2 Cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp Dried tarragon
1/4 Cup white wine
1 tsp Chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp Lemon juice
1 tsp Black pepper
2 Garlic cloves
4 Lamb chops
Method -
In a large mixing bowl, blend the olive oil, red wine vinegar, white wine, lemon juice, garlic and onion. Season with tarragon, parsley and pepper. Place your lamb chops in the mixture and cover. Leave for a minimum of 2 hours in the fridge marinating. (Again this is another thing that can be prepared earlier in the day meaning you have maximum time together)
Then when your ready place your lamb chops under the grill under their lightly browned.
For my mustard mash I add in roughly 4tbsp of wholegrain mustard to achieve the taste that we both like.
And for dessert ( which of course is my favorite part and must contain chocolate!) Brownie bites with fresh cream!
Ingredients -
- 1/2 cup self-rising flour
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- 4 large egg whites
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 tablespoons chocolate liqueur (optional)
- 1/3 cup cocoa nibs
- Cooking spray
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Method -
Preheat over to 400
Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar and cocoa into your mixing bowl stirring with a whisk.
Whisk egg whites until foamy in a separate bowl, add oil and continue stirring with a whisk. Add your egg white mixture into your flour mixture and continue whisking until moistened. Fold in chocolate drops.
Spoon your mixture evenly into muffin cups and bake for roughly 8 minutes, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- I tend to cook this after our mains as we like to eat them hot :D
So there you have it my very easy to make and least time consuming Valentine's menu, can't you smell the love in the air!
And don't forget if you'd truly like to spoil your valentine this year you could always book one of the amazing mini breaks away with superbreak.com.
