If you tend to spend Valentine's Day coyly receiving deliveries of flowers and drowning in dinner invitations, you may well ask, What's not to like? But if you're an onlooker at the love parade, these public displays of affection can make you feel like stabbing yourself - or someone else - with Cupid's arrow. And for those who've bagged a date, apprehension mixed with culinary aspiration can make for an exhausting evening.  There's no need to panic - whoever you're cooking for this Valentine's Day, BBC Food can help. Set the perfect tone for a first date with sensational but simple dishes that will leave your partner hungry for more. If you're settled with your soul mate but still besotted, rustle up a luxurious feast for two. Or defy Cupid and invite your friends over for a foodie rebellion where romance is decidedly off the menu. First timersIt can be tricky to negotiate the myriad pitfalls that stand between a first date and a second bite of the apple, but a little research goes a long way. It's best to find out whether your date is a committed vegetarian, or tee-total, before serving up foie gras flambéed in brandy. Likewise, an insight into your date's likes and dislikes can save you both a lot of embarrassment, ill-will and wasted food.
 Your date should feel special but not stifled, so subtle dishes done well are the order of the day. A full-on assault of oysters, strawberries and champagne is probably a no-no, but well-presented, lightly flirtatious finger food followed by a lip-smacking main course and a decadent fondue will be a sure-fire hit. It's important to know your limits. It's better to cook one delicious and edible course than three flamboyant flops. Instead, little touches will make your date feel a million dollars. Design a menu, set the table with your best tableware, or mix a specially concocted cocktail and decorate the insides of the glasses with a long strand of lime or lemon peel. If you're serving fizz, pop a strawberry or raspberry into the bottom of champagne glasses.
Comfortable couples Start your romantic meal as you mean to go on with oysters, reportedly a breakfast staple of Casanova. Many people swear they're best fresh from their shells with just a dash of lemon juice or Tabasco sauce. If this doesn't appeal, try them grilled with herbs and breadcrumbs - but don't overcook them or you'll still be chewing the next morning. Get your teeth into professional-standard game recipes such as Rabbit saddle and langoustine mousseline with carrot, lemongrass and ginger purée and you'll be rewarded with full-on flavour. If you don't fancy spending all day in the kitchen, go for ultimate fast food - fresh mussels with ginger and chillies can be cooked in minutes. For a light dessert, the recipes for Caramelised oranges with honeyed ricotta and the Sautéed cherries with biscotti cantucci serve four, but you can halve the quantities easily. Or, if you have room for more, finish the meal off with a chocolate-coated endorphin rush - Chocolate fondant with poached strawberries. You can use frozen strawberries or substitute seasonal fruit for the strawberries.
Rebels without a causeWhether you're attached but refuse to follow the herd or single and satisfied, buck the trend this Valentine's Day. Forget caviar and chocolate hearts - get together with like-minded friends and make up your own rules.
 Throw caution to the wind and indulge in all the food shunned by romance-hunters. There's no need for niceties and dainty dishes when you're among friends. Tear hunks off a crusty loaf and spread with the pulp from baked garlic, then dip into hearty Camembert fondue. Or savour food deemed too messy for dates such as sticky spare ribs or make a Chinese-style buffet and let rip with the chopsticks. Shun spun sugar confections and opt instead for a super-quick chocolate biscuit cake. It takes can be made hours in advance, leaving you to relax while it chills. Or skip dessert and retire to the sofa to sip Irish coffee served with marshmallows and chocolate straws for dipping.
|
