Valentine’s Day Treats: Easy Recipes to Impress Your Loved One

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and what better way to show your special someone some love than with homemade, healthy cooking? Ditch the reservations and opt for a cosy night in with these easy, impressive Valentine’s Day dinners that will have your loved one swooning. From heart-shaped beet pasta to delightful jam tarts, these recipes are not only a treat for the taste buds but also for your health-conscious mind. So get ready to impress your beau this Valentine’s Day with these simple, yet gourmet-worthy dishes that are sure to show your sweetheart just how much you care.

Creamy Beet Pasta

The rich, velvety texture of the creamy sauce envelops the pasta in a luscious embrace, making every bite a luxurious experience. The earthy sweetness of the beets adds a unique depth of flavour to the dish. The platter not only looks stunning with its striking magenta hue but also tastes divine.

Jazz up your Valentine’s Day dinner and impress your loved ones with your healthy cooking of creamy beet pasta.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium beetroot roots (chopped)
• Olive oil (for roasting and frying)
• 200g pasta (of your choice)
• 3 garlic cloves (chopped)
• 1 tsp Danfe’s mustard seeds
• ½ cup pasta cooking water
• Parmesan cheese (to taste)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Chop the beetroot into small pieces and drizzle with olive oil. Spread the chopped beetroot evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 35 minutes, or until tender.
2. Boil the pasta in a pot of salted water until it is tender. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water, and set aside to cool.
3. In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic cloves and Danfe’s mustard seeds. Stir until the garlic turns golden brown, then remove the pan from heat and set it aside.
4. In a blender, combine the roasted beetroot, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and the reserved pasta cooking water.
5. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the toasted garlic and mustard seed oil from the pan to the blender, and blend again to incorporate.
6. Pour the creamy beetroot sauce over the cooked pasta. Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Arrange it in a heart shape and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Delightful Jam Tarts

If you’re looking to sweeten up Valentine’s Day, look no further than these delightful jam tarts! These little pockets of love are bursting with fruity goodness and a whole lot of charm. Whether you’re baking them for your sweetheart, your Galentine, or just for yourself (because self-love is important too), these jam tarts are sure to spread some joy. 

Ingredients

• 250 g of Danfe’s maida flour
• ½ cup of Butter
• 1 cup of Yogurt
• Vanilla essence
• 100 g Jam

Instructions

1. Knead Danfe’s maida flour and a pinch of salt and water. When the mixture looks and feels like fresh breadcrumbs, add some vanilla essence along with yoghurt in a food processor.
2. Once it is done let the dough rest in the fridge for 30 mins. Preheat the oven to 200°C and grease the tart tin with butter.
3. Sprinkle some flour on your work surface. Take the chilled dough and roll it out until its thickness is about a coin.
4. Put 1-2 teaspoons of your chosen filling into each pastry circle. Cut out pastry hearts and place them on top of the filling.
5. Bake them for 15 minutes until they are golden. Transfer them from the tin to a plate and enjoy!

 White Pizza with Basil

Make your Valentine’s Day dinner delightful with a white pizza sprinkled with fragrant basil leaves. This cheesy delight promises a taste bud tango like no other, wooing both your palate and your date with its creamy goodness. 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of Danfe’s Atta flour dough
• ⅔ cup of ricotta cheese
• ⅔ cup of yogurt
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Minced garlic (to taste)
• ¾ cup of cheese (your choice)
• ⅓ cup of fresh basil leaves (chopped)
• Ground pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place the rack in the upper third of the oven.
2. Lightly flour your work surface and divide the dough into four equal portions. Roll each portion into a thin round, about 8 inches in diameter.
3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the pizza crusts on the tray.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, yoghurt, and salt. In another bowl, mix olive oil and minced garlic.
5. Brush the garlic olive oil onto each crust. Spread one-quarter of the ricotta mixture on each crust, followed by one-quarter of the cheese. Sprinkle one-quarter of the chopped basil leaves.
6. Bake the pizzas for 8-10 minutes, or until the crusts are golden brown.
7. Once baked, remove from the oven and serve hot, garnished with more fresh basil if desired. Enjoy a cheesy, creamy delight on Valentine’s Day!

Butternut Squash and Tempeh Stir Fry with Rice

If you’re looking for Valentine’s meal ideas then, why not try a peanut and squash curry for a deliciously unexpected twist? The creamy texture of the peanut melts with the subtle sweetness of the squash, creating a symphony of flavours. 

Ingredients:

• Brown rice (cooked)
• Olive oil (for cooking)
• 2 tbsp chopped and roasted peanuts
• ½ tbsp chilli flakes
• 200g block of tempeh (cut into cubes)
• 1 medium butternut squash
• 1 leek (finely sliced)
• 2 tbsp Danfe’s cumin seeds (ground)
• 400ml coconut milk
• 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
• 200g broccoli (cut into florets)

Instructions:

1. Cook the brown rice and set it aside. In a pan, add some olive oil and roasted peanuts. Sprinkle with chilli flakes, then remove from heat. Set a sieve over a heatproof bowl and strain the liquid through. Reserve both the oil and the contents of the sieve.
2. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Cut the butternut squash in half, scrape out the seeds, and rinse under cold water to remove any stringy bits. Spray a baking tray with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place the squash halves on the tray and roast for 15 minutes until golden and crispy. Once done, cut the remaining squash into bite-sized cubes and set aside.
3. In a large pan, heat the reserved chilli oil over medium heat. Add the sliced leek, ground cumin seeds, and roasted butternut squash cubes. Stir for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the coconut milk and cubed tempeh, stirring to combine. Stir in the smooth peanut butter until it dissolves completely. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. After 20 minutes, add the broccoli florets on top of the mixture and cover again. Cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender.
6. Serve the stir fry over the cooked rice and enjoy a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner!

Conclusion

These foods are delicious and guaranteed to earn you some major brownie points in the romance department. So grab your apron, channel your inner chef, and get ready to show your loved one how sweet you can be this Valentine’s Day!

Who needs Cupid’s arrows when you’ve got these treats up your sleeve?