Meal ideas for Valentines

[Hoplolly]

We're not big celebrators of Valentines but I love any excuse to cook a nice meal but this year I am stuck on inspiration.

Any good ideas/recipes for something really delicious?

do you have any dietary needs? For me a treat meal can often includes a 'special' ingredient like crab or duck. But my vegetarian SIL would be less impressed with these!

do you have time? Both active time or inactive time? Some amazing meal can be done in two hours, but 2 hours solid graft. Other can be 10 minutes 'work' but need 6 hours in the oven to slow cook. Some a mix of the two.

do you have any food prefereces? Like what sort of direction did you want to go in, I love spicy food but this might not work for you.

some ideas to get started without knowing the above
Ixtas Chicken with Pineapple & Nduja (if you have her book Mezcla I cannot recommend her duck with mexicorn sauce highly enough, but sadly can't see online)
Ixtas Prawn & Habenero Lasagne
Ottolenghis confit tandoori chickpeas
Birria Queso Tacos

Oh duck is a good shout, I like the duck ragu on BBC Good Food and I've been meaning to make that prawn lasagne for ages, so that could be a really good shout! It felt a bit luxurious for a normal mid-week meal!

Meant to add, I have time. I am working from home so can prep early in the day, at lunch etc and I have no issue with standing in the kitchen for two hours after work. Cooking is my relaxation and therapy!

if you don't have Mezcla I can send you a copy of the recipe?

@SummaLuvin please may I have a copy of the Mezcla recipe if that’s not too cheeky!

What about a venison wellington or veal saltimbocca. I also like osso bucco with saffron risotto.

turns out you can't dm pictures on MN. So the world can see my splattered cook books!

@Duh I have some beautiful saffron I got as a gift to use, and that sounds like the perfect meal for it to shine. Do you have any specific recipe recommendations for the osso bucco?

@SummaLuvin thanks so much, I have been toying with whether to buy this book so this will be a great trial!

I have used Angela Hartnett’s recipe for Osso Bucco and saffron risotto as watching her make it on Saturday Kitchen is what made me try it. I admit I use double the butter (adding the extra at the last minute) and extra Parmesan. It’s divine, I hope you like it. https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/osso_buco_with_risotto_89525/amp

I also really like this recipe which also uses saffron https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spanish-lamb-sherry-honey-peppers

@duh that's so much. I think MN compressed the pictures a little which affected the clarity. let me know if you need anything de-coding.

Thank you for the recipe @SummaLuvin ! Sounds delicious.

Thanks @SummaLuvin I can read it and I’m really excited to try it 😊