Recipes For Valentine's Day

By Dyfed Lloyd Evans

The feast day of St Valentine (February 14th) is, traditionally, the day on which lovers send anonymous notes to one another, declaring their love and on which those in love prepare romantic meals for each other.

The feast day itself was established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I to celebrate the martyrdoms of one of two early Christians buried on the Via Flaminia north of Rome. In fact, it was only in the Middle Ages, through the words of Chaucer and his contemporaries that St Valentine's day became the day of lovers.

Regardless of the history, the day is now a major occasion for those in love and the recipes given below will, hopefully make the day go with a swing. Recipes are included here for Breakfast, Dinner and a Lovers' cocktail:

Ginseng Banana Muffins

Ingredients:
2 tbsp ginseng powder
2 medium bananas (very soft)
2 medium eggs
100g sugar
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
210g plain flour
1 tbsp oil
1/8 tsp salt

Method:
Mash the bananas in a bowl then mix with the sugar and oil until thoroughly blended. In the meantime, stir together all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl then stir this flour mix into the banana mix and combine thoroughly.

Line muffin tins with baking cups then fill the well no more than 2/3 full with the muffin mix. Transfer to an oven pre-heated to 175ºC and bake for about 15 minutes, or until well risen, browned on top an cooked through. Allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool before warm before serving. (Makes 12 muffins.)

Rosemary Pesto Crusted Lamb Valentine Steaks

The lamb Valentine steak is a boneless double steak of lamb loin butterfly cut into very attractive and classy looking steaks.

Ingredients:
45g fresh parsley, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 tbsp freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
40g dry breadcrumbs
salt and freshly-ground black pepper
1 egg, beaten
2 lamb Valentine steaks (about 100g each)
2 tbsp olive oil

Method:
Begin 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, brush the lamb steaks on one side with the beaten egg then spread the rosemary pesto evenly onto the egg-coated side of the lamb, applying it liberally. Heat the 2 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat then place the lamb Valentine steaks in the pan, setting them pesto side down. Cook for about 4 minutes, or until the pesto mixture has browned lightly then turn the steaks over and continue cooking until done to your desired level of done-ness (about 4 minutes more for medium). Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving with minted new potatoes and green beans or peas.

Passion Fruit Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients:
240ml Passion Fruit Blend Nectar, chilled
1/2 tsp Angostura bitters
240ml Champagne, chilled
ice cubes
4 fresh raspberries (or two strawberries, halved)
1 orange slice, halved

Method:
Divide the passion fruit nectar and bitters between two chilled champagne flutes. Top with the champagne then drop two raspberries into each glass. Garnish with the orange slice and serve.

I hope these recipes have given you a flavour of what you can create for your special Valentine's day and that you are now ready to find out more

Dyfed Lloyd Evans runs the Celtnet Recipes website where you can find hundreds more Valentine's Day recipes as well as information on Velentine's day and it's traditions. The site also provides a range ofCocktail Recipes (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) for all occasions. ------------------------------------------------ For more food recipes and information on food, see www.greatestfoodsource.com.