Love at first bite: A romantic dinner for two

Who needs Cupid’s bow when you’ve got a spatula? This Valentine’s Day, let’s skip the arrows and focus on stirring up some romance in the kitchen. It’s your chance to dazzle your sweetheart with a homemade dinner that’ll win their heart all over again. Get ready to whip up a tantalising starter, a main course that’ll make their taste buds dance, a dessert that’ll have them swooning, and a cocktail that’ll set the mood just right. Because when it comes to love, the secret ingredient is always a dash of culinary magic!

Starter: Caprese salad skewers

Ingredients

• Fresh mozzarella balls
• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Balsamic glaze
• Salt and pepper

Method

1. Thread one mozzarella ball, one cherry tomato, and one fresh basil leaf onto each skewer.
2. Arrange the skewers on a plate.
3. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze.
4. Season with a pinch of salt and a dash of freshly ground black pepper.

Main course: Filet Mignon with red wine reduction

Ingredients

• 2 filet mignon steaks
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 30 ml olive oil
• 125 ml red wine
• 60 ml beef broth
• 30 g butter
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C.
2. Season the filet mignon steaks generously with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over high heat. Sear the steaks for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust.
4. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast for about 5-7 minutes for medium-rare or longer if desired.
5. Remove the steaks from the skillet and let them rest on a plate.
6. In the same skillet, add red wine and beef broth. Simmer and reduce by half.
7. Stir in the butter until the sauce is glossy.
8. Plate the filet mignon steaks, drizzle with the red wine reduction, and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs if desired.
9. Serve with roasted potatoes or grilled vegetables.

Dessert: Chocolate fondue

Ingredients

• 225 g dark chocolate, chopped
• 125 ml heavy cream
• Assorted dippers (strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, toasted sponge cake)

Method

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the heavy cream until it’s hot but not boiling.
2. Add the chopped dark chocolate to the hot cream and let it sit for a minute.
3. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
4. Transfer the chocolate fondue to a fondue pot or a heatproof bowl.
5. Serve with assorted dippers.

Valentine’s Day cocktail: Love potion martini

Ingredients

• 60 ml vodka
• 30 ml raspberry liqueur
• 30 ml cranberry juice
• 30 ml pineapple juice
• Fresh raspberries for garnish
• Ice cubes
• Granulated sugar (for glass rim)
• Pink food colouring (optional)

Method

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
2. Add vodka, raspberry liqueur, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice to the shaker.
3. Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
4. Decorate two martini glasses by placing granulated sugar in a sealable plastic bag and adding a few drops of pink food colouring. Seal the bag and shake it vigorously until the sugar is evenly coated. Moisten the glass rim with a lemon or lime wedge. Dip the rim into the pink sugar, coating it evenly.
5. Strain the cocktail into the two martini glasses.
6. Garnish with fresh raspberries.