Valentine's menu

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

Doing dinner in as per usual for V day and need some starter/desert ideas

I don't eat meat or dairy (and have braces which brings its own challenges) so was going to do a decent steak for DH and fish for me with smashed new pots and something green (he likes simple good food and is normally subjected to crazy flavours vegan mush at home!). Thought about doing a clam chowder as he adores it but not sure a dairy free version would be any good and I can't be arsed to do two different starters

Stumped really. He's not fussy but I want to make something special

Last V day I did baked camembert studded with garlic & rosemary with crusty bread then mushroom risotto with truffle oil then chocolate fondants with creme fraiche.

We're not veggie but that's what I fancied cooking and it was lovely!

Cheese/creme fraiche isn't for you obv. but you could do asparagus for starter. DH loves asparagus and it's supposed to be an aphrodisiac…you can chargrill it and serve with lemon, sundried tomatoes etc.

Steak goes well with mushroom risotto for your DH.

You could make a fruit sorbet for dessert or try this if you fancy creating

www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chocolateandpeartort_77306

How are you in the kitchen is the question.
Wild mushroom on brusetta with rocket. Simple and quick. You can do bread early, saute the mushrooms add a little wine & no dairy cream & fresh parsley lots of black pepper.
A premade 1 tier choc cake with red fruits & non dairy ice cream.
I have a fail safe choc cake recipe if you need one that's better to bake the day before.
Or poached pears or peaches in red wine.
How much time do you want in the kitchen

I'm pretty good in the kitchen and have a bit of time while he sorts the DC

Poached pears is a great idea (recipe?!) and maybe grilled asparagus would be a good idea if I can find any

Peel your pears, keep stalk on.
Put in a pan cover with half bottle red wine & 100g sugar plus a split vanilla pod or some extract. Simmer for 20-30 mins.
Test they are cooked though with a cocktail stick.
Remove the pears. Reduce the cooking liquid till near syrup.
Fridge till needed.

I have made this cheesecake for non vegans and they loved it, really rich and chocolatey :)

mouthwateringvegan.com/2011/12/10/the-best-ever-chocoholics-cheesecake/

The cheesecake part can be used in a heart mould if you prefer to do it all heart themed but it is delicious. I would recommend using a food processor to mix the tofu and melted chocolate and drain the tofu overnight. This is well worth the effort.

Perhaps you could do the clam chowder as he likes it so much (mmm I do too, yum)
Just don't add dairy to your serving and replace with whatever milk substitute you regularly use. Soy milk perhaps?

Disclaimer I haven't tried it without dairy so can't vouch for it

Asparagus but for him wrap his in strips of Parma ham and then serve with a boiled egg to dip your asparagus soldiers in.

Asparagus and boiled eggs to start
Pears poached in wine to finish

Lovely jubbly, thanks MN!!

that cheesecake looks amazing though! Just not sure we can cope after a fairly filling main course - but I'm stashing it away for a dinner party!