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Monday 7 February 2011

Romantic Post - Number 4.


This is my fourth romantic post, and I haven't mentioned food and drink yet, which is very remiss of me, so I hope that the following recipes might give you some ideas for making it a special evening on Valentine's Day, to share with that special person in your life.

Berry Blush Cocktails.



Use any berry liqueur you like for these cocktails

Method

Pour 2tbsp each berry liqueur and vodka into two tall glasses and top up with lemonade or tonic water. Garnish with strawberries, raspberries and ice and serve immediately.

Be Mine Bruschetta.


Good deli ingredients mean more taste with less prep! 


Ingredients :

4 ciabatta bread slices
1tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to brush
1tsp balsamic vinegar
½tsp runny honey
 ½ x 125g ball buffalo mozzarella, torn into pieces
40g (1½oz) Parma ham, torn into pieces
75-100g (3-3½oz) grilled artichoke hearts, chopped
Basil leaves, to garnish.

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6. Arrange the ciabatta slices on a baking tray, brush with a little extra-virgin olive oil and bake for 8-10min until crisp and golden.

 Meanwhile, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey and seasoning in a jug.

Arrange the toasted bread slices on a platter and top with the mozzarella, Parma ham and artichoke pieces.

 Drizzle with the dressing and garnish with black pepper and basil leaves.

Serve immediately.

Steak Your Claim with Crush on you Tomatoes.



Steak comes alive with a flavourful butter – and this one’s ready in minutes.

Ingredients :
15g (½oz) butter, softened
1tsp Dijon mustard
Finely grated zest of ½ lemon
 1tbsp chopped fresh chives
2 x 250-300g (9-11oz) beef steaks
Sunflower oil, to brush
12 cherry tomatoes on the vine, cut into two bunches.

Method

In a small bowl, mix together the first four ingredients with some seasoning and set aside. Pat steaks dry with kitchen paper and season both sides.

Oil a griddle pan and put over a high heat to warm up. Brush steaks with oil, then griddle for 5-6min, turning once, for medium meat. Transfer steaks to a board, cover with foil and leave for 5min.

Meanwhile, fry the cherry tomatoes in the griddle pan for 5min until beginning to collapse.

 Top the steaks with flavoured butter and serve with the tomatoes, French Kiss Fries and a crisp green salad.

French kiss fries

No peeling or par-boiling means these oven-baked fries are fuss free.

Ingredients :

2 medium floury potatoes, unpeeled and sliced into thin strips
1tbsp plain flour
 1tsp paprika
1tbsp sunflower oil


Method:

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6 and line a large baking tray with baking parchment.

 Put all the ingredients into a bowl and toss together with plenty of seasoning. Tip fries on to the lined tray and spread out as much as possible.

Cook for 25-30min, turning occasionally, until fries are golden and tender. Serve immediately.

True Love Espresso Pots.



These decadent puds will have you swooning in no time.

Ingredients :

100g (3½oz) white chocolate, broken into pieces
75ml (3oz) double cream
¼tsp ground coffee, finely ground espresso is ideal.

Method:

Melt chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Leave to cool for 5min.

 Pour cream into a bowl and whisk until it holds its shape.

Fold the chocolate and coffee into the cream. Pour into two 75ml (3fl oz) cups, decorate and serve.

Decorations for your espresso pots

When time is short...

A sprinkling of cocoa powder and chocolate-covered coffee beans is sweet and effective.


Time to spare...

Line a tray with baking parchment.

 Melt 25g (1oz) dark chocolate and use a teaspoon or piping bag to drizzle it on to the parchment to make hearts and write words.

Leave for 30min before using.

22 comments:

Belle said...

Everything looks and sounds delicious! The cocktails look the easiest to make, so I'll do that one.

Gawgus things... said...

These look great! Will have to keep them in mind for next Monday..!

Lyndylou said...

my mouth was watering reading this........deeeeeeeeeelish!

Shady Del Knight said...

Those foods are downright decadent, Thisisme! Aphrodisiacs galore! I would love to try that berry blush w/o the alcohol. I don't eat sweets of any kind but I love espresso and all of the foods look so good they're making me hungry. (Learn more about Shady in my latest blog survey just posted!) Have a fine day over England way, dear Thisisme!

Unknown said...

All of them look so yummy I printed them off to try soon. Thanks

SkippyMom said...

::drooling:: We have a "red" Valentines Day for the kids - always have - and we make some sort of pasta with red sauce, a salad with red dressing and a strawberry pie for dessert.

The kids won't drink strawberry milk anymore so I have taken to giving them Shirley Temples with dinner [bad momma] to make up a red drink. :)

My hubs is going to be ALL over that dessert. The man LOVES white chocolate.

Rebecca said...

yum definitely trying the Bruschetta.

BB said...

Looks like a great drink. You just gave me an idea! Thanks. Hugs.

Jumble Mash said...

Yummmmmy!

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

Romance is definitely in the air

Check out my $100 APART Style Giveaway

Design Elements said...

all look great!

Southhamsdarling said...

Belle - I'll join you with the cocktails!!

Gawgus things - I'm going to have a go, although no doubt my other half will have lots of meetings to go to that evening!!

Shady - Decadent - that's a good word for this month of love!! I really enjoyed reading your latest post and finding out all those things about you.

Odie - I think it would be fun to try them, although I'm not so sure about the dessert one!

SkippyMom - that "red" Valentine's Day for the kids sounds like a great idea. I'm with Pooldad on this one - white chocolate, mmmmm! Although my 13 year old granddaughter tells me that it is much worse for you than dark or milk chocolate!

Becca - I thought the bruschetta sounded lovely, and not too complicated! LOL!

Bouncin'Barb - good to have you back. I've really missed your posts and comments.

Jumble - Yummy indeed!!

Tanya (A Taste of T) - I think a little bit of romance is good for all of us!

Unknown said...

These all look phenomenal! I am going to keep this post of yours quite handing! :) Thank you - I hope your weekend was lovely!

LindyLouMac said...

Are you going to keep these romantic posts going until after Valentines Day. :)

Southhamsdarling said...

mskanorado - Hope you try them out sometime!

LindyLouMac - I will try to keep them going every few days!

Chatty Crone said...

This Valentine's Party meal looks delish - wish I could fly over...
sandie

Southhamsdarling said...

Chatty Crone - wouldn't that be lovely - you flying over to see me here in my little part of England!

Southhamsdarling said...

Design Elements - thank you! Thank you also for dropping into my Blog. I hope you will come by again.

caterpillar said...

OMG....i liked the dessert the best.....so nice...

Wave of Life Surf Studio said...

Now you have gotten my stomach growling and my mouth watering!

Amy said...

That bruschetta looks devine!!!

Southhamsdarling said...

Cat - the dessert does look rather delish, doesn't it?!

Wave of Life Surf Studio - LOL!!

Amy - I am certainly going to try that bruschetta at the weekend.