Win their heart with these love-filled eats
Discover the perfect Valentine’s Day recipe for you — whether you’re planning Galentine’s Day brunch or a romantic dinner for two. Share the love by preparing a special meal for those that matter most.
Check out what Fresh Ideas food editor Amanda suggests cooking for your loved ones, no matter who they are. All the recipes chosen here by Amanda are easy to prepare. Some are simply a matter of putting them together and adding a personal touch, while others take just minutes to prep and cook.
01
Feed a crowd: Valentine’s Day baked feta pasta
This is great to make for a crowd, or just for two. I like to serve this at the table, with cooked pasta in a separate bowl. This way, everyone can 'ooh' and 'aah' at the cute heart-shaped feta, before I crumble it and mix it into the creamy tomato sauce with the pasta.
Make sure you buy smooth feta (rather than crumbly) to make it easier to cut out a perfect heart shape. If you’re using a cutter, spray it with a little oil first to create a clean edge.
02
Dinner for one or two: Grilled prawns
This is such a simple recipe, and I’ll often make it for myself as a treat — but you could easily double the quantities for a romantic dinner for two. Before you toss the prawns in the marinade, pat them dry to remove any excess moisture — no need to rinse them.
If you don’t have roti, try warmed mini pita breads or even steamed rice. I’ll also put a bowl of warm water with a slice of lemon on the table, with plenty of napkins, to clean those prawn-y fingers after peeling.
03
Breakfast in bed: Doughnut bouquet
For a cheeky breakfast in bed or lovely afternoon tea, this has to be one of the easiest and most fun Valentine’s Day ideas I’ve found. Just 10 minutes of prep time and some pretty wrapping paper and ribbon are all you need. Pick strawberries of an even size for the best decorative effect. You could also serve up mini individual bouquets instead of one large one if you’re making these for a crowd.
04
Afternoon tea: Strawberries & cream finger buns
Here’s another oh-so-simple but oh-such-fun morning or afternoon tea treat. You could also mix things up by making these finger buns with other berries – try raspberries with raspberry jam. For extra Valentine’s Day glam, I pipe the strawberry cream using a decorative nozzle, but no one will complain if you simply dollop it on.
05
Easy dessert: White chocolate crumble
Chocolate and strawberries: the ultimate Valentine’s Day pairing and a flavour marriage made in heaven. The roasted strawberries in this recipe contrast so beautifully with the crumbled baked white chocolate. It’s such a quick and simple dessert to make, and has melted many hearts at my place.
06
Brunch with friends: French toast hearts
I love serving these French toast hearts for brunch with the girls. They’re great served with coffee, but if we’re feeling like kicking up our heels I’ll pop a bottle of sparkling as well. Feel free to use any other seasonal fruit you fancy; fresh or roasted figs, sliced mango, nectarine or peach go well. And you could also swap out the wholegrain bread with thick slices of brioche for a bit of extra V-Day indulgence.
07
Romantic dinner: Creamy lobster spaghetti
This recipe is perfect (and simple) for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. Make sure to scrub and dry lemons before you zest them to remove any wax coating, and keep an eye on the shallot as it’s cooking — you want it to be soft and translucent, not browned. I like to whisk the cream, cornflour and lemon juice together just before I start cooking so that it’s ready to add as soon as the lobster changes colour.
08
Dinner with family: Roast lamb with tomatoes
I like to cook this dish for groups, but if you’re cooking for two, opt for a smaller lamb leg and adjust cooking times, or plan to enjoy plenty of delicious leftovers. The fresh, minty pea and feta salad goes well with the roast lamb, sweet caramelised garlic and juicy tomatoes.
To ensure the halved garlic bulbs brown nicely, move them out from under the lamb when you add the tomatoes to the pan. Serve them as they are, or squeeze out the cloves and mash them into the pan juices to make a rich, garlicky gravy.