Food Delights of Valentine’s Day

A romantic intimate dinner is the perfect surprise for Valentine’s Day. It is a great chanceto pull up your sleeves and show your loved one your culinary skills.

If you’re not too sure what to make for Valentine’s Day, then don’t fear. DESIblitz has a complete Valentine’s dinner menu, so you don’t have to worry about ruining your romantic reputation.

On the menu is a traditional Desi recipe of Chicken Tikka for the starter to get those tastebuds sizzling. Followed by, a Desi twist to dinner with a Spicy Salmon, and an American heartfelt dessert. To take it all down we have a classical champagne cocktail.

So get your apron on and read on for a full home cooked Valentine’s dinner.

Starter: Chicken Tikka

Ingredients:

• 1 pint of natural yogurt
• 1 tbsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp chilli powder (add more if you like it spicy)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 8 crushed garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp red food colouring
• 4 chicken breasts chopped in to cubes

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C
2. Mix all the ingredients together and marinade the chicken for 2-8 hours.
3. Put chicken cubes on to skewers and place on wire rack in the oven.
4. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is cooked.
5. Optional – serve with rocket salad and/or mint sauce.

Main: Spiced Salmon with Crunchy Salad

Ingredients:

For the Salmon:

• 1 1/2 kg salmon (skin on)
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp mustard (wholegrain)
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil (extra for brushing)
• 1 lemon (to serve)

For the Crunchy Salad:

• 350g tomatoes
• 3 red onions
• 1 cucumber
• 200g red radishes
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp mustard seed
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp caster sugar
• 1 red chili (deseeded, finely chopped)
• Handful of mint leaves
• Juice of 2 limes

Method:

For the Salmon:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line baking tin with foil.
2. Brush salmon with oil and place skin side down on the tin.
3. Mix ginger, paprika, honey, mustard, pepper and olive oil, and evenly spread over the flesh side of the fish.
4. Do not cover fish, roast for 20 minutes until salmon is cooked.
5. Slice lemon and serve on the side with the salad.

For the Crunchy Salad:

1. Make the salad dressing by heating oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and cook until they pop.
2. Take seeds out and allow to cool.
3. Add Dijon mustard, lime, caster sugar, red chili, and mint leaves to the seeds and set aside.
4. Finely chop tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and radish and mix the salad dressing in.
5. Leave at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving with salmon.

Dessert: Heart Shaped Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:

• 180g all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp red food colouring
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 120ml whole milk
• 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 170g salted butter (firm but not cold)
• 200g + 2 tbsp sugar

For the Icing:

• 170g cream cheese
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 400g of icing sugar
• 113g of salted butter

Method:

For the Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. In a bowl mix together; flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and then set aside.
3. In another bowl mix together cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (use an electric mixer on medium speed and mix for around 3-4 minutes).
4. Add eggs and stir.
5. Add vanilla extract and food colouring and mix (add more red food colouring for a brighter colour).
6. Add the flour mixture to the cupcake mixture and then add milk and vinegar, combine all together.
7. Divide mixture evenly in to 15 heart shaped cupcake liners.
8. Bake in oven for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cupcake comes out clean.
9. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack.

For the Icing:

1. On high speed whip together butter and cream cheese in a bowl for around 1 minute, then on medium speed for 3-4 minutes.
2. Mix in the vanilla extract and icing sugar and mix until smooth.
3. Smooth the icing over the cupcakes or pipe them on.
4. Add sprinkles if you wish.

Drinks: Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 white sugar cube
• 2 dashes bitters
• Champagne
• 20ml cognac

Method:

1. Put the sugar cube on to a spoon and add the bitters.
2. Place the soaked cube in to a champagne glass and add the cognac.
3. Fill the glass up with champagne and serve.

Don’t be afraid to stay in and cook a dinner, especially if you always go out to a fancy restaurant. This will be a great way to surprise and impress your other half.

This romantic celebration is a great way to spend quality time with your partner and serenade your lover with tasty Desi inspired Valentine’s Day food.