The feast of Saint Valentine (February 14) is traditionally the day in which lovers send anonymous notes to each other, declaring their love and in which lovers prepare romantic meals.
The feast itself was established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I to celebrate the martyrdom of one of the first two Christians buried on the Via Flaminia north of Rome. In fact, only in the Middle Ages, through the words of Chaucer and his contemporaries, did Valentine’s Day become Valentine’s Day.
Regardless of the story, the day is now a great occasion for lovers and hopefully the recipes given below will make the day go by with a swing. Here are recipes for breakfast, dinner, and a lovers’ cocktail:
Banana and ginseng muffins
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons ginseng powder
2 medium bananas (very soft)
2 medium eggs
100g sugar
1/2 teaspoon of sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
210 g all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon of oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Method:
Mash the bananas in a bowl and mix with the sugar and oil until well mixed. Meanwhile, mix all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then add this flour mixture to the banana mixture and combine well.
Line muffin tins with cookie sheets, then fill well no more than 2/3 full with muffin mix. Transfer to a preheated 175ºC oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through, browned on top and cooked through. Cool in can for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and cool before heating before serving. (Makes 12 muffins).
Rosemary Pesto Crusted Valentine Lamb Steaks
Valentine lamb fillet is a double boneless fillet of lamb loin cut in a butterfly shape into very attractive and elegant-looking fillets.
Ingredients:
45g chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
40g dry breadcrumbs
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 beaten egg
2 Valentine lamb fillets (about 100g each)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Method:
Start with the pesto: Combine the parsley, rosemary, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and breadcrumbs in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then set aside.
Meanwhile, spread the lamb fillets on one side with the beaten egg, and then spread the rosemary pesto evenly over the egg-covered side of the lamb, applying it generously. Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, then place the Valentine lamb steaks in the skillet, pesto side down. Cook for about 4 minutes, or until the pesto mixture has browned slightly, then flip the steaks and continue cooking until they are to the desired doneness (about 4 more minutes for medium). Let stand 5 minutes before serving with chopped new potatoes and green beans or peas.
Passion fruit champagne cocktail
Ingredients:
240 ml passion fruit mix nectar, chilled
1/2 teaspoon of angostura bitters
240 ml champagne, chilled
ice cubes
4 fresh raspberries (or two strawberries, cut in half)
1 orange slice cut in half
Method:
Divide the passion fruit nectar and bitters between two chilled champagne flutes. Top with the champagne and then place two raspberries in each glass. Garnish with the orange slice and serve.
I hope these recipes have given you an idea of what you can create for your special Valentine’s Day and that now you are ready to discover more.